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football managerSpotted November 2022

Football manager Slaven Bilic spotted wearing a Rolex

football manager Slaven Bilic spotted wearing a Rolex 116613LB
Who & what: Rolex Submariner Date Two-Tone Yellow Gold and Steel Reference 116613LB

Slaven Bilic was caught on camera wearing the Rolex Submariner Date in two-tone yellow gold and steel — reference 116613LB — during West Ham United's celebrated 2-1 Premier League win over Manchester City, a result that announced the Hammers as genuine contenders under his tenure. The blue ceramic bezel dial combination makes the 116613LB instantly distinguishable from its black-dialed sibling, the 116613LN.

The Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB sits at the top of the steel-based Submariner hierarchy. Its 40mm Oyster case blends 904L stainless steel with 18k yellow gold applied hour markers, crown, and the 60-minute unidirectional rotatable bezel ring in Cerachrom ceramic — a proprietary material Rolex introduced to resist scratching and UV fading. The deep blue of the Cerachrom bezel and matching blue sunburst dial give the watch a commanding two-tone identity that has become one of the most recognizable references in modern Rolex production.

Beneath the screw-down Triplock crown, the calibre 3135 automatic movement operates at 28,800 vph with a 48-hour power reserve, incorporating Rolex's Parachrom paramagnetic hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers for exceptional durability. Water-resistant to 300 metres, it wears as a serious tool watch despite its dressy aesthetic.

Among collectors, the 116613LB — often called the "Bluesy" — commands consistent demand. Introduced in the mid-2000s and discontinued in 2020 when Rolex updated the Submariner line to the 41mm 126613LB, the reference now carries strong secondary market interest as the last yellow-gold two-tone Sub at 40mm. Its predecessor status gives it a particular appeal to buyers who prefer the slightly more compact case proportions of the pre-2020 generation.

Bilic, known for his sharp personal style and passion for music as much as football tactics, chose well. The Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB is precisely the kind of watch that works equally on the training ground and at a post-match press conference — understated enough for serious wear, recognizable enough to signal taste.

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