Rolex Submariner Date “Bluesy” 40mm Blue Dial Blue Aluminum Bezel Vintage Two-Tone Yellow Rolesor Oyster Bracelet 16613LB | 1999 T-Serial Full Set

The Original “Bluesy” — Vintage Yellow Gold and Blue, a Pre-Ceramic Classic

Before Rolex produced reference 126618LB — the current solid gold Submariner with blue ceramic bezel and blue dial that collector culture has enthusiastically dubbed “Bluesy” — there was the 16613LB. This earlier, vintage-generation predecessor carried the same warm yellow gold and vivid blue color combination across the same three elements: gold bezel ring, blue dial, blue bezel insert. It is the original Bluesy in every meaningful sense: the same warm color story, the same Yellow Rolesor construction, the same naval blue tone against yellow gold — executed in the pre-ceramic technology of the late 1990s, with an aluminum bezel that has had over two decades to develop its own individual character. The ultimate piece that represents history, craftsmanship, and timekeeping. This 1999 T-serial example carries the specific details that define the most prized 16613LB production window, and is offered as a complete full set at one of the most competitive price points available for a documented vintage Bluesy.

The 1999 T-Serial — The Super-LumiNova Transition Year

A 1999 T-serial 16613LB occupies a meaningful position in the reference’s production history. Rolex transitioned from tritium to LumiNova lume approximately 1997–1998 and then to Super-LumiNova from approximately 1998–2000. A 1999 T-serial example sits at the transitional boundary of this change — likely carrying Super-LumiNova rather than tritium, making it the most modern-lume configuration of the pre-ceramic Bluesy while retaining every other period-correct detail that makes the 16613LB collectible. The 1999 production year also predates the solid-endlink upgrade that Rolex applied to the 16613 bracelet from approximately 2000 onward — meaning this example carries the hollow endlinks characteristic of late-1990s Oyster bracelet production, a detail that collectors familiar with the reference will immediately recognize.

Yellow Rolesor Construction — Oystersteel and Solid 18k Yellow Gold

The 40mm Oyster case is constructed in Yellow Rolesor — 904L Oystersteel throughout the case middle and bracelet outer links, with solid 18k yellow gold applied to the bezel ring, crown, and Oyster bracelet center links. The case profile is the classic pre-Supercase five-digit Submariner architecture: thinner, more elegantly swept lugs, a slimmer overall wrist presence, and a lighter feel than the Maxi-case 116613 that replaced it in 2009. For collectors who have worn both generations, the slimmer profile and lighter weight of the 16613 is frequently cited as meaningfully more comfortable for extended daily wear. The case is sealed with the screw-down Triplock crown delivering 300 meters of water resistance, and a flat sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifying lens sits over the date window.

The Blue Aluminum Bezel with Gold-Painted Graduations

The blue aluminum bezel insert carries gold-colored graduation marks and numerals — the warm gold printing directly echoing and complementing the yellow gold bezel ring that frames it, creating a cohesive color story between the bezel ring and its insert that the later 116613LB ceramic bezel configuration replicated in Cerachrom with PVD gold filling. The visible bezel wear noted in the listing is honest and authentic aging — blue aluminum bezels fade and develop individual patina over decades of UV exposure and daily contact, and this wear marks the bezel as a genuinely used, genuinely aged piece rather than a recently polished or replaced example. The unidirectional rotation — counterclockwise blocked — is the fundamental safety feature of a professional dive timing bezel.

The Royal Blue Sunburst Dial

The vivid royal blue dial provides the most visually dramatic contrast with the yellow gold case and bracelet of any dial color available in the 16613 range — the warm gold and the deep saturated blue creating the nautical, bold color dialogue that defines the Bluesy. Applied yellow gold dot and baton hour markers with luminous fills provide strong legibility above and below the surface, and the Mercedes-style hands in yellow gold carry matching luminous inserts. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock beneath the Cyclops magnifying lens.

The Two-Tone Oyster Bracelet — Resized with 2 Links Included

The two-tone Oyster bracelet in Yellow Rolesor — brushed steel outer links and polished yellow gold center links — closes with the flip-lock Oysterlock clasp of the 16613 generation. This example has been resized, with 2 removed links retained and included in the set, giving the next owner flexibility to adjust the bracelet to the right wrist size. The visible bracelet wear noted is consistent with honest daily use over a 25-year watch life.

Service Note — No History of Service

This example has no recorded history of service — an important disclosure for any prospective buyer. A 1999 Caliber 3135 that has never been professionally serviced is overdue for a full movement service to ensure it is running within specification and to protect the movement’s long-term health. A Rolex service for this caliber typically runs $800–$1,200 USD. Buyers should factor this cost into their total acquisition budget. That said, unserviced examples with original, untouched movement configuration are in some cases preferred by collectors who want to confirm movement originality before any watchmaker access — and the listing notes the watch “runs great,” suggesting the movement is still functional despite its service overdue status.

Condition & What’s Included

This 1999 T-serial example is in vintage condition with visible signs of wear on the caseback, bezel, and bracelet consistent with over two decades of use. Full set with original Rolex box and papers, plus 2 removed bracelet links and additional items. Authenticity is fully guaranteed. 14-day refund policy and 1-month seller warranty inclusive.

Shipping & Payment

This watch ships same day from San Francisco at $7,800 via insured shipping. Leave a message for further details or additional photos.

Why This Reference Stands Out

The 16613LB “Bluesy” is the original blue-and-gold Submariner Date — the pre-ceramic, aluminum-bezeled vintage predecessor to the current 126618LB — and at $7,800 for a 1999 full-set example with 2 removed links, it represents one of the most accessibly priced entry points into the documented vintage Bluesy family currently available on the secondary market. Secondary market data places comparable 16613LB examples in vintage condition with papers between $7,500 and $11,000, with service-free examples typically at the entry end of that range. For the buyer who wants the warmth of Yellow Rolesor, the naval blue of the Bluesy dial and bezel, and the classic pre-Supercase proportions of the five-digit Submariner Date in a documented full-set configuration — without the premium of the current-generation 126618LB — this 1999 16613LB delivers every element that matters at a compelling and honest price point.