A search for "fake rolex 1666 6" leads to a seller code, not a Rolex model. Rolex has never made a reference 1666. The genuine Submariner Date references are 16610 and 116610, so a "1666" listing is a typo, a factory batch number, or an internal stock tag used by a replica vendor.

Below you get the details: where the number comes from, what "first copy" means in the trade, the price bands, and the checks that separate a good build from a bad one.

What does "fake rolex 1666 6" refer to?

Replica sellers list watches with codes that have nothing to do with Rolex catalogs. A five or six digit code like 1666 often marks a batch, a case variant, or a color run inside a factory's own system. The trailing "6" tends to stand for the sixth update in that batch or for a color option on the wholesale sheet.

Buyers type these codes into search engines after seeing them on a market listing. That is why the phrase shows up as a keyword even though no watch carries that name.

Is there a real Rolex reference 1666?

No. Rolex reference numbers in the Submariner line jump from 1680 to 16800, then to 16610, 116610, and 126610. Reference 1666 does not appear in Rolex archives, auction records, or service catalogs.

If a listing calls a watch a "Rolex 1666," treat the name as marketing text, not an identifier.

What do 16610 and 116610 mean?

16610 is the Submariner Date built from 1988 to 2010, with an aluminum bezel insert and a 40 mm steel case. 116610 replaced it in 2010 with a ceramic bezel, a thicker case, and a maxi dial. A seller who writes "1666" may have shortened or mistyped one of these.

What does "first copy" mean in the watch trade?

"First copy" is trade slang for the top replica tier. The same group of watches gets sold as "1:1," "mirror quality," or "super clone" depending on the seller. The label describes a marketing tier, not a manufacturing standard, so two shops can use it for very different watches.

What are the quality tiers?

  • Budget tier ($30 to $90): stamped case, mineral glass, quartz or low-grade automatic movement, painted dial, poor date alignment.
  • Mid tier ($120 to $300): 316L steel, sapphire crystal, a decent automatic movement (often a 2813 or 2824 clone), correct dial layout.
  • High tier ($400 to $900): 904L or 316L steel, clone 3135 movement, ceramic bezel with 120 clicks, AR-coated cyclops, engraved rehaut, solid end links that sit flush.

Price tracks three things: the movement, the case finish, and the dial print. A high tier build costs a factory about four times what a mid tier build costs, which is why the retail gap is wide.

How do you inspect a first copy Rolex?

Check the watch, not the listing photos. Sellers reuse stock images, so ask for a video with a timestamp and your name written on paper next to the watch.

  • Case: 40 mm across, 20 mm lugs, crown guards that taper into the case.
  • Cyclops: 2.5x magnification, anti-reflective coating, date centered in the window.
  • Bezel: 120 clicks on ceramic models, no back play, triangle aligned with 12 o'clock.
  • Dial: text spacing, font weight, and the depth of the coronet. Flat, glossy print is a bad sign.
  • Bracelet: solid end links flush with the lugs, no rattle, screws rather than pins on the high tier.
  • Movement: 28,800 vph, smooth sweep, date flip at midnight within a few minutes.
  • Weight: about 150 g for a steel Submariner on a full bracelet.

What risks come with buying a first copy watch?

Counterfeit branded watches are illegal to import in the United States and most of Europe. U.S. Customs can seize a parcel, and the buyer has no path to recover the money.

The practical risks add up too: no warranty, no service parts, and plating that wears through in one to three years on gold-tone models. Water resistance claims on replica cases are guesses, so keep them out of pools and showers.

Trademark law protects the Rolex name and coronet. Selling or importing a watch with those marks can lead to civil claims and, in some cases, criminal charges. A watch built as an unbranded homage avoids that problem.

How do you pick a seller?

  • Ask for a live video with a timestamp. Stock photos mean nothing.
  • Confirm the return window in writing before you pay.
  • Use a payment method with buyer protection.
  • Check whether the seller names the factory and the movement. Vague answers point to a drop shipper.
  • Read reviews on forums that allow negative posts, not just the seller's own site.

FAQ

Is a "Rolex 1666" a real watch?

No. Rolex has no reference 1666. The number comes from replica listings or from a mistyped 16610 or 116610.

How much should a high tier first copy cost?

Between $400 and $900 for a Submariner style watch with a clone 3135 movement and a ceramic bezel. Anything under $150 in that category is a mid tier build with a new label.

Will a first copy pass as genuine?

At arm's length, sometimes. Under a loupe or on a timegrapher, no. Case finishing, dial print, and movement architecture give it away to anyone who handles real watches.

Are first copy watches legal to buy?

Buying for personal use sits in a gray zone in some countries, but import is a separate matter. U.S. law blocks import of counterfeit goods, and customs officers seize parcels that carry branded replicas.

What is the closest legal option?

Homage watches from brands such as Seiko, Orient, or Steinhart use the same dive watch layout without the Rolex marks. They hold value, come with warranties, and can be serviced.

Key takeaways

  • "Fake rolex 1666 6" is a seller code, not a Rolex reference.
  • Real Submariner Date numbers are 16610 and 116610.
  • "First copy" is a marketing tier with a wide range of build quality.
  • Inspect the case, cyclops, bezel, dial, and movement before you pay.
  • Import and trademark rules carry real risk for branded replicas.