Somewhere between a cartoon character and haute horlogerie lives the Rolex Smurf. It's a watch that makes people do a double take. Not because it screams for attention, but because that blue-on-blue configuration hits differently once you know what you're looking at.
The Rolex Submariner Smurf isn't official Rolex nomenclature. They'd prefer you call it the reference 116619LB. But the watch community had other ideas. One look at that blue dial paired with the blue Cerachrom bezel, and the nickname stuck. Just like the Hulk, Kermit, and the Cookie Monster before it, some watches just need a personality beyond their reference numbers.
Here's everything worth knowing about the Rolex Smurf, a watch that quietly rewrote the rules.
What Makes a Smurf a Smurf?
Released in 2008, the Rolex Sub Smurf marked Rolex's 100th birthday and the Submariner's 55th anniversary. Double milestones, double the reason to do something memorable. This was the first, and still only, Submariner crafted entirely in 18 karat white gold with a matching blue dial and blue ceramic bezel.
That white gold construction is the watch's best kept secret. To most people walking past you, it looks like steel. Maybe a particularly nice steel, but steel nonetheless.
Only watch nerds clock it immediately.
The Rolex Smurf white gold has this slightly darker, greyish tone that Rolex achieves with its in-house gold alloy. It's stealth wealth in wristwatch form.
The watch weighs over 200 grams. You know you're wearing it. Every link of that Oyster bracelet is solid precious metal. The heft is constant, tactile proof of what you've got on your wrist.
The 2008 Moment: Three Gold Subs Walk Into a Bar
Rolex didn't just release one gold Submariner in 2008. They dropped three simultaneously. The 116618LB came in yellow gold with a blue dial and bezel. The 116618LN arrived in yellow gold with a black dial and bezel. And then there was the Rolex Submariner Smurf in white gold with that all blue configuration.
The timing made sense. Five years earlier, Rolex had tested the waters with the green bezelled Kermit. Collectors went mad for it. Rolex learned that people were ready for colour beyond black. The Smurf took that lesson and ran with it.
By 2008, Rolex had started forging its own gold alloys in-house. The white gold they developed, sometimes called grey gold by collectors, had a distinctly cooler appearance than traditional white gold.
Less bright, more sophisticated. That subtle difference became part of what makes the Smurf special.
Breaking Down the Blue
The 40mm Oyster case introduced what collectors call the "Super Case" design. Wider lugs, beefier crown guards, more presence on the wrist. The case diameter stayed at 40mm, but the lugs measure 48mm from end to end. It wears bigger than the numbers suggest.
That flat, lacquered blue dial has an almost wet appearance. It's not a sunburst. It's not matte. It's this unique finish that shifts with the light in ways you don't expect. The "Maxi Dial" configuration borrowed from the Kermit, larger hour markers, broader hands, better legibility. Each luminous plot is surrounded by white gold. The date window sits at three o'clock with the Cyclops lens magnifying it.
The blue Smurf Rolex bezel was among the first Submariners to showcase Rolex's Cerachrom ceramic insert in blue. Ceramic doesn't scratch. It doesn't fade. The numerals are platinum coated, catching light with a subtle shimmer that complements the white gold case. The unidirectional rotating bezel still functions exactly as intended, timing dives up to 60 minutes, even if most Smurf owners never get it wet.
The bracelet features alternating brushed and polished surfaces. Dual finish treatment elevates it beyond tool watch territory. The Glidelock extension system allows micro adjustments up to 5mm without tools. Genius for hot days or if you're actually wearing it over a wetsuit.
What's Inside? Calibre 3135!
The Rolex Smurf runs on the Calibre 3135 automatic movement. Thirty one jewels, 48 hour power reserve, accuracy within +2/-2 seconds per day. It's a workhorse movement that Rolex has proven across its professional line for years.
The Parachrom hairspring resists shocks and magnetic fields. The quick set date changes instantaneously at midnight. Newer movements like the Calibre 3235 offer 70 hour power reserves, but the 3135 remains bulletproof and reliable.
Collectors trust it implicitly.
Let’s Talk Numbers
When the Rolex Smurf retail price first appeared in 2008, it was approximately $29,850. By 2020, that figure had climbed to $38,350, making it the most expensive standard Submariner in the catalogue, pricier even than the yellow gold version.
Today's Smurf Rolex price in the pre-owned market tells an interesting story. Quality examples typically trade between $38,000 and $45,000, depending on condition and whether they come with box and papers. Unworn examples push past $45,000.
That's notable because many steel Rolex sports models trade well above retail right now. The Smurf has taken a different path. It held value remarkably well for a precious metal watch. Since its discontinuation in 2020, it's appreciated roughly 6.8% over the past year, outperforming many other Submariner references.
The discontinued status helps. Once Rolex stops making something, collector interest intensifies. The Smurf's relatively short production run, just twelve years, makes it all the more valuable.
Smurf vs Cookie Monster is This Century’s Great Blue Debate
The Rolex Smurf had a good run from 2008 until 2020, when Rolex discontinued the 40mm Submariner case. Rolex made one of the biggest changes to the Submariner in its half century history by increasing the case by 1mm. The refreshed collection brought back colourways in previous generations, this time in a wider but more svelte case silhouette.
The white gold Submariner returned as reference 126619LB, quickly nicknamed the "Cookie Monster" by collectors. Same brilliant blue Cerachrom bezel. Different story with the dial.
The Cookie Monster swapped the blue dial for glossy black. Blue bezel, black dial. Higher contrast, arguably better legibility. The case grew from 40mm to 41mm, but wears slimmer thanks to refined proportions. The movement was upgraded to Calibre 3235 with its 70 hour power reserve. The retail price jumped to $46,600.
The Rolex Smurf vs Cookie Monster debate comes down to personal preference. Do you want the monochromatic blue harmony of the original or the striking black and blue contrast of its successor?
Purists argue the Smurf nickname belongs exclusively to the blue dialled version. The all blue configuration is more distinctive, more memorable. It's also discontinued, which adds exclusivity. The Cookie Monster offers modern refinements and improved specs, but it's still in production, theoretically available from authorised dealers.
In terms of collectability, the discontinued Smurf currently holds stronger appeal. The Cookie Monster is magnificent, but you can still order one.
Scarcity matters in this world.
Famous Wrists Rocking the Rolex Sub Smurf
Gordon Ramsay
The Michelin starred chef has built a watch collection worth over £200,000, with six different Rolex models dominating his wrist rotation. His Smurf sits alongside vintage Submariner references and a yellow gold "Nipple Dial" 1680/8.
What's telling about Ramsay's choice is that despite having access to flashier pieces, he gravitates towards watches that balance luxury with functionality. His collection suggests sophisticated taste rather than mere status seeking.
Will Arnett
The Arrested Development star made waves wearing the Rolex Smurf to the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars after party, where he paired it with black tie attire. The Canadian actor has been spotted wearing multiple Rolex pieces over the years, including a Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea. His choice of the Smurf for such a high profile event speaks volumes.
Jack Black
The Kung Fu Panda lead vocalist brings his characteristic enthusiasm to watch collecting. The actor comedian musician owns the blue Smurf Rolex alongside a green "Hulk" Submariner. Black has been photographed wearing his Smurf during television appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Tinie Tempah
The British rapper, who burst onto the scene in 2010 with "Pass Out" and "Written in the Stars," has long been recognised as one of UK music's best dressed figures. GQ named him best dressed man at their Men of the Year Awards in 2012, and he launched his own fashion label, What We Wear, at London Fashion Week in 2017. For someone so embedded in fashion culture, the Rolex Submariner Smurf makes perfect sense.
Should You Go Blue?
The Rolex Smurf isn't for everyone. That's the point.
You'll love it if you appreciate precious metals but prefer understated elegance to yellow gold's louder luxury. If you want a Submariner that stands apart without being garish. If you value tool watch functionality wrapped in refined precious metal execution. If you're drawn to watches with genuine historical significance. If you prefer discontinued, collectible pieces over current production
You might prefer something else if you're looking for your first luxury watch; the price point is advanced collector territory. If you need maximum legibility, the black dialled Cookie Monster offers better contrast. If you want the latest technical specifications, the Cookie Monster's Calibre 3235 is objectively superior. If you want a watch that announces its luxury status immediately, yellow or Everose gold might suit you better.
Finding One
Since production ceased in 2020, acquiring a Rolex Smurf means shopping the pre-owned market. You'll avoid waiting lists and potentially find better value than buying new.
Reputable dealers specialising in pre-owned Rolex maintain an inventory of Smurfs in various conditions. Expect premium prices for unworn or mint examples with full box and papers. Watches showing honest wear but in good condition offer better value whilst still providing the essential Smurf experience.
The Rolex Smurf's white gold construction and distinctive blue components make it a potential target for counterfeiters. Purchase only from established dealers who provide authenticity guarantees and comprehensive documentation. Verify serial and reference numbers. Don't hesitate to request independent authentication when spending this kind of money.
Feeling Blue Never Looked This Good
The Rolex Smurf is a capable tool watch and an exquisite luxury object. Bold yet understated. Instantly recognisable to enthusiasts, yet flying under the radar with everyone else.
In an era where stainless steel sports watches often command prices exceeding precious metal alternatives, the Smurf represents genuinely compelling value. You're getting solid 18 karat white gold, cutting edge ceramic technology, Rolex's legendary reliability, and a watch that will never be produced again.
For collectors seeking something beyond the usual Submariner suspects, for those who appreciate innovation wrapped in tradition, for anyone who believes blue is the warmest colour, the Rolex Smurf remains an absolute triumph.
It's more than just a watch. It's a conversation starter, wrist-borne sculpture, and a piece of horological history. And yes, it really is that blue.
Looking to explore more luxury timepieces? Discover Love Luxury’s curated collection of pre-owned and brand new Rolex watches.
