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The Big Blue Battle: Rolex “Cookie Monster” vs “Smurf”
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I grew up on Cookie Monster and the Smurfs, among various other fantastic cartoons. Do either of these watches live up to their legacy?
No. Nothing can ever match the pure joy I experienced as a child watching that blue monster gobble down an entire plate of cookies and then often the plate itself. That said… these are some pretty spectacular Rolexes.
18K white gold, blue bezels, and Rolex’s finest movements beating away in their chests. The “Cookie Monster” and the “Smurf” are among Rolex’s best-ever offerings, enjoying massive popularity among those who can afford the sticker price.
They represent refined, subdued luxury, and at first glance, they look like they’re made from humbler steel, thanks to the simple appearance of white gold. But to those in the know, they’re exceptional watches that demand appreciation.
What sets the two models apart, and how could you pick one over the other? Let’s explore these two cartoon legends in-depth and dissect what factors could crown (wink) one over the other.
The Rolex “Smurf”
The Rolex Submariner “Smurf” was first introduced in 2008. Rolex, being the snobby watchmaking house that they are, merely dubbed it “reference 116619LB,” but the fun-loving collector in all of us was quick to recognize the bright blue palette and identify it as rather Smurf-like in character.
2008, we should note, was Rolex’s 100th anniversary as well as the 55th anniversary of the Submariner collection, so it was a big year for the Crown.
To celebrate, they released a trio of Submariners: the ref. 116618LB with a yellow gold case and blue dial and bezel, the ref. 116618LN in yellow gold with a black dial and bezel, and, of course, the Smurf.
Take a look at that gorgeous blue lacquer dial and bezel, easily the centerpiece of the watch. I absolutely adore the color combination of that bright blue over the more subdued whitish palette of the case—it’s a combo that features predominantly in the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary, which is my first love in watchmaking.
So, I’m certainly a little biased, but it just works so well for me. The blue lacquer is rich and smooth, with depth and shine, and the color-matched bezel is spot-on in matching hue.
Note as well the non-color matched date window, which pops against the monochromatic palette of the dial and is especially visible through Rolex’s cyclops lens.
For an extra touch of luxury, Rolex added platinum plating to the numerals on the bezel instead of the more standard lume, thereby reducing utility for additional class.
The case is Rolex’s Submariner Super Case, constructed in this case entirely out of 18K white gold and featuring a brushed finish and prominent crown guards.
The Oyster bracelet flows seamlessly out of the lugs and features a finish that is so smurfing good with that contrast between mirrored center lugs and brushed edges.
The hands, likewise, match perfectly with the case and bracelet in their color. Rolex has been making their own gold alloys since 2000, so their white gold is a little different from the industry standard.
It’s both more yellow and more gray, depending on how the light hits it, which enables it to stand out just a bit more from steel as well as introduce some subtle colors into the overall palette of the watch.
Due to its rather unique color, many have started referring to it as “gray gold” instead of white gold, signifying the originality of Rolex’s alloy.
Inside the Smurf is the caliber 3135, a great movement with automatic winding, 48 hours of power reserve, and hacking seconds. The caliber also enjoys Rolex’s “Superlative Chronometer” distinction, which means it is accurate to within +/- 2 seconds per day, a stunning level of precision.
It’s an incredibly durable and precise movement that, when safely ensconced within the Super Case, can weather any storm.
Additionally, there are also a few examples of the Smurf with factory diamond-set dials, where the lumed shape indices are swapped out for matching diamond cuts.
Naturally, in this case, the utility of the watch goes way down, but you add a significant level of elegance and—shall we say—bling that heightens the refined nature of the watch. These are pretty rare, but you can still find a few floating around the secondary market.
Wait—the secondary market? I hear you ask in despair. Yes, indeed, the Rolex Submariner Smurf was discontinued in 2020, to the eternal sorrow of little blue creatures all over the world.
At this time, Rolex upgraded their Submariner case to be 1 millimeter larger (41mm instead of 40mm, the Smurf size) and phased out the Smurf model to replace it with the Cookie Monster. I’ll give you a moment to weep in silence.
The Rolex “Cookie Monster”
The “Cookie Monster,” Rolex’s reference 126619LB, is in so many ways a carbon copy of the Smurf. You get the same case, just 1mm larger, and the same Oyster bracelet with an extending Glidelock clasp.
It’s still 18K white gold, and has the same lovely blue of the bezel with platinum plating on the bezel markings.
So where do the differences kick in? As I’m sure you can see from the pictures, the Cookie Monster has a rich black lacquer dial, creating a sharp contrast with the bezel and case that heightens legibility and, for some, the visual appeal of the watch.
The indices and dial text are identical to the Smurf, but the color definitely makes a serious difference in the overall presentation of the watch.
Additionally, the Cookie Monster features the new Rolex caliber 3235, an evolution of the 3135 in the Smurf. This new movement is objectively better.
It runs for around 70 hours, compared to the 48 of the Smurf, and also features Paraflex shock absorbers and Rolex’s Chronergy escapement. It’s just a better movement all around, a clear evolution of the 3135, and a factor that definitely sets the Cookie Monster a step above.
The Cookie Monster was introduced in 2020 and, unlike the Smurf, is still available from Rolex—although I’m sure you’ll still be faced with a waiting list time that will try your patience to the extreme unless you’re one of your local AD’s best customers.
It retails for $46,600, setting it immediately at a much higher starting point than the Smurf (more on that later). Whether this is due to inflation, the price of gold, or just whatever the heck Rolex puts in their black lacquer, it’s hard to say, but the price stands as it is.
Battle of the Blue Monsters: How to Choose
So, which one do you pick? Team Smurf or Team Cookie Monster? The discontinued original blue icon or its modern successor? Let’s break down the many factors that should influence your choice.
The first and probably foremost thing you should consider is, of course, the color palette and design of each. Almost every factor in the construction of each watch’s exterior presentation has the same level of quality, so it comes down to whether the monochromatic blue of the Smurf or the contrast of Cookie Monster speaks to you more.
Personally, I lean towards the Smurf blue-on-blue, which I think has enough contrast from the white gold case—but that said, the Cookie Monster is extra legible thanks to its improved contrast and plain black dial.
Additionally, you’ll want to think about the movements. As I said, the Cookie Monster has the caliber 3235, which is better than the 3135 in the Smurf in terms of power reserve and energy efficiency. This might not be a huge deal to you—thanks to the automatic winding, your watch will stay pretty wound if you wear it regularly. However, if you hate resetting your watch, and aren’t planning on wearing it every day, the Cookie Monster might be a better choice.
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Alternatively, you could put either one on a watch winder and achieve the same effect. Both have the same level of precision and performance, so the difference here does almost entirely come down to power reserve.
You’ll also want to think about the watch’s value and how you’re buying it. If you’re looking for an absolutely brand-new watch, you’d be better off with the Cookie Monster, which you can get directly from Rolex. There are some new-condition Smurfs still floating around out there, but you can never be totally sure of them unless you buy from a very reputable gray market dealer.
Let’s also talk value quickly. The Smurf had an original retail price of around $39,650, and it’s currently trading hands at $33,167. Admittedly, this is significantly lower, and the watch has lost a lot of value over time, but I wouldn’t be concerned about that dropping further, as it’s held pretty steady over the past year.
The Cookie Monster goes for $31,789 on the secondary market, which is significantly lower than its elevated retail and even lower than the Smurf, so if you’re looking for a cheaper used model, the Cookie Monster may be the way to go. Price is definitely a factor to consider, and I’d spend some time looking through available models and comparing them against fair retail and market prices, depending on their condition.
The last factor I want to touch on is the rare diamond dial available with the Rolex Smurf. If you’re really looking for something elegant and shiny, that diamond dial option provides a clear edge over the Cookie Monster and can be the deciding factor for you if you want some shine on your dial beyond what the lacquer provides.
In the end, the choice is up to you. (What, did you think I was going to give you an objective answer?) In my opinion, the clearest distinction that should inform your choice is the color palette and design of the watch.
That’s the biggest and most visible difference between the two watches, and worth the majority of your thought. Second, consider the movement, and your needs from the watch’s power reserve and performance. Finally, consider the price and whether or not the price difference between the two should change your decision.
Conclusion
It’s not easy, dissecting the differences between two similar watches and trying to pick one over the other. And maybe you’re not here to pick at all but just to dive deeper into the world of watches.
Whatever the reason, are you Team Smurf or Team Cookie Monster? Both are spectacular watches, and there’s a reason Rolex kept so much similar from the Smurf when they retired it and produced the Cookie Monster. You really can’t go wrong.
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