Actor Saif Ali Khan spotted wearing a Rolex

Saif Ali Khan was caught off-duty with family, but his wrist told a very deliberate story. On his left wrist sat what appears to be a Rolex Submariner 116619LB — the full 18k white gold iteration of Rolex's most iconic diving watch, colloquially known in collector circles as the 'Smurf' for its striking all-blue aesthetic. It is a watch that manages to look understated in photographs yet costs as much as a luxury automobile.

The Rolex Submariner 116619LB was introduced at Baselworld 2008, replacing the earlier 16619 white gold Submariner. It houses the Calibre 3135 automatic movement — a 28,800 vph workhorse with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and Rolex's own Microstella regulation system. The case and bracelet are crafted entirely from 18k white gold, paired with a blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert featuring Rolex's platinum-filled engravings. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres. The 40mm case diameter, now superseded by the 41mm 126619LB introduced with the 2020 update, gives this reference a slightly more compact profile that many collectors actually prefer.

Among Submariner variants, the 116619LB occupies a singular position. Unlike the stainless steel references, it was never subject to the same allocation pressure at authorised dealers — not because demand was lower, but because production volumes were always more limited. Grey-market premiums on the 116619LB have historically been modest relative to steel references, because the buyer pool, while affluent, is narrower. Seasoned collectors prize it as the definitive luxury expression of the Submariner concept.

Saif Ali Khan — Nawab of Pataudi, veteran Bollywood leading man, and arguably one of Hindi cinema's more quietly stylish personalities — has been spotted with quality timepieces before. His choice of the 'Smurf' rather than a more conspicuous complication reflects considered taste: it is a watch that rewards recognition rather than demanding it.

At original retail, the 116619LB was listed at approximately $31,400 USD. On the secondary market, examples in full set condition have traded between $28,000 and $36,000 USD depending on condition, box and papers completeness, and vintage of the specific movement. The successor 126619LB now carries a higher list price, making well-preserved 116619LB examples increasingly attractive as a buying proposition for collectors who prefer the 40mm case era.