The 126618LN is the full yellow gold Submariner, the solid gold black Sub. This is not two-tone. The entire watch, case, bezel, crown, and bracelet, is gold plated. Black dial and black bezel on full gold. It is the heaviest statement in the Submariner line.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factory | VS Factory (VSF) |
| Reference | 126618LN (Submariner Date, 41mm, solid gold black) |
| Movement | VS3235 (Dandong) automatic, 72-hour power reserve |
| Case dimensions | 41mm diameter, 12.2mm thick |
| Material | 904L steel with heavy 18K yellow gold plating over the full watch |
| Bezel | Unidirectional black Cerachrom ceramic with gold PVD numerals |
| Dial | Black with gold accents |
| Bracelet | Full gold Oyster with Glidelock clasp |
The gold. This is the difference. The 126618 is full gold, not two-tone. The plating covers the case, bezel, crown, and the entire Oyster bracelet. There is no steel showing. The color is the hard part with a full gold rep, because a brassy yellow reads fake from across a room. VSF's tone lands in the warm genuine range, and the heavy plating holds up to wear.
The dial and bezel. Black dial, black ceramic bezel. The black is what grounds the all-gold case. A gold dial would be too much, and the black insert with gold numerals is the right contrast. The bezel scale is filled in gold PVD to match. Date at 3 under the cyclops.
The movement. VS3235, the Dandong clone. Built 1:1, identical time-setting direction, real 72-hour reserve.
The case. 41mm with the slimmer lugs and 21mm lug width of the current generation. The all-gold look is bold, but the case keeps it balanced on the wrist.
The crystal. Sapphire with the anti-reflective cyclops for the black hole effect.
The bracelet. Full gold Oyster with the Glidelock clasp.
The takeaway. The solid gold Submariner is the top of the Sub line, and the black dial on full gold is the classic version of it. It is the loudest Submariner there is, more than the Bluesy, because there is no steel to break up the gold. The black dial and bezel keep it from tipping into gaudy. If you want the full gold Submariner, this is the one. It is not a daily beater, it is a statement, and the gold tone is the thing to check. VSF gets it right.