Rolex does not name its watches after cartoon characters. Collectors do, because “the Hulk” is quicker to say than “116610LV”, and because the nicknames capture a watch’s personality in a word. For the Submariner, those names now cover four generations and several metals, and they are easy to mix up in listings.
Here is how each Submariner nickname maps to a real reference, and what to check before buying one.
Why do Submariners have nicknames at all?
Most Submariners are black. When Rolex introduces a color, the watch stands out immediately, and collectors give it a name. Green Submariners in particular became an unofficial tradition, starting with the fiftieth anniversary of the model in 2003. Each nickname is informal and none is used by Rolex, which refers only to reference numbers and bezel suffixes such as LV (lunette verte, green bezel) and LB (lunette bleue, blue bezel). Our guide to Rolex reference numbers explains the suffixes.
Kermit: 16610LV
Introduced in 2003 for the Submariner’s fiftieth anniversary, the 16610LV put a green aluminum bezel on the 40 mm steel Submariner Date with a black dial and the calibre 3135. It was the first green Submariner. Collectors named it after the Muppet, and the early examples with a “flat 4” on the bezel’s 40-minute marker are the most sought after. Later production also received the “Maxi” dial with larger hour markers.
Its aluminum bezel fades and softens with age, and many collectors love that patina. Browse our Kermit Submariners when available.
Hulk: 116610LV
From 2010 to 2020, the green Submariner moved to the 40 mm “Super Case” with its broad lugs, a green Cerachrom ceramic bezel and, for the first time, a green sunburst dial. Green on green made the name obvious. The Hulk’s dial color varies with light, from almost black in the shade to vivid green in sunshine. Its discontinuation in 2020 made it a modern favorite. See every Hulk we have in stock.
Starbucks: 126610LV
In 2020, the 41 mm Submariner generation returned the green Submariner to a black dial with a green ceramic bezel, combined with the calibre 3235. Some collectors initially called it a “Kermit” again, because of the black dial and green bezel. Most now call it the Starbucks, after the coffee chain’s green and black. The quickest tell against the Hulk is the dial: black, not green.
Cookie Monster: 126619LB
Introduced in 2020, the 126619LB is the 41 mm Submariner Date in 18 ct white gold with a blue Cerachrom bezel and a black dial. Its predecessor, the 116619LB with a bright blue dial, is known as the “Smurf”. White gold looks similar to steel from a distance but is much heavier on the wrist.
Smurf: 116619LB
The 40 mm white gold Submariner Date made from 2008 to 2020, with a blue ceramic bezel and a vivid blue dial. Blue dial plus blue bezel on white gold gave it the name. It is a discreet luxury watch: at a glance it reads as a steel Submariner, but the weight says otherwise.
Bluesy: 116613LB and 126613LB
The two-tone Submariner in yellow Rolesor, steel and yellow gold, with a blue bezel and blue dial, is known as the “Bluesy”. It has been part of the line-up for decades and remains one of the most popular two-tone Rolex sports watches.
How to tell them apart at a glance
| Nickname | Reference | Dial | Bezel | Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kermit | 16610LV | Black | Green aluminum | Steel |
| Hulk | 116610LV | Green | Green ceramic | Steel |
| Starbucks | 126610LV | Black | Green ceramic | Steel |
| Smurf | 116619LB | Blue | Blue ceramic | White gold |
| Cookie Monster | 126619LB | Black | Blue ceramic | White gold |
| Bluesy | 116613LB, 126613LB | Blue | Blue ceramic | Yellow Rolesor |
Buying tips for nickname Submariners
- Search by reference, not by nickname. A listing that says “Hulk” but shows a black dial is a 126610LV, and it should be priced like one.
- Look at bezel and dial together, in daylight. Green ceramic and green dials read differently under studio lights.
- Check the bezel material. Aluminum on the Kermit, ceramic on the rest. An aluminum green insert on a ceramic-era case is a replacement.
- Weigh the metal. White gold Submariners should feel dramatically heavier than steel.
- Check papers against the serial, which matters more as values rise.
Our Submariner buying guide covers generation-by-generation condition checks.
Which nickname Submariner holds its value best?
Historically, steel green Submariners have been among the strongest performers in the pre-owned Submariner market, with the discontinued Hulk and early “flat 4” Kermits attracting the most collector interest. White gold models like the Smurf and Cookie Monster are much more expensive to begin with and have tended to trade closer to, or below, their original list prices, which makes them better value to buy than to speculate on. Market conditions change, so treat any value argument as secondary to choosing the watch you want to wear.
Are there other Submariner nicknames?
A few more appear in listings. The “Starbucks” is sometimes called the “Cermit” (a blend of ceramic and Kermit). Vintage references have their own names too: the “Red Sub” 1680 with red “Submariner” text, and the “Big Crown” 6538 made famous on screen. And the all-black 126610LN and 116610LN are occasionally just called the “LN”. Any time you see an unfamiliar name, ask for the reference; it is the only reliable description. Browse every Submariner we have on our pre-owned Submariner page.
Which nickname Submariner is the best buy?
For value, the Starbucks gives you the current movement and case with a green bezel at a smaller premium over the black 126610LN than the discontinued Hulk commands. For character, the Kermit’s fading aluminum bezel is hard to beat. For discreet luxury, a white gold Smurf or Cookie Monster reads as steel to everyone but you. There is no single best; it depends on whether you want the newest, the rarest or the most understated. Try to see two or three of them side by side before deciding, because the greens and blues look very different in person than in photos.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Hulk and the Starbucks?
The Hulk (116610LV) has a green dial, a 40 mm case with broad lugs and the calibre 3135. The Starbucks (126610LV) has a black dial, a 41 mm case with slimmer lugs and the calibre 3235. Both have a green ceramic bezel.
Is the Kermit the same as the Starbucks?
No, although both have a black dial and a green bezel. The Kermit (16610LV) has an aluminum bezel and a 40 mm five-digit case. The Starbucks (126610LV) has a ceramic bezel, a 41 mm case and a newer movement.
Why is the Hulk so popular?
It is the only steel Submariner with a green dial, it was discontinued in 2020, and its sunburst dial changes color with the light. Those three things have made it a modern collector favorite.
Is the Cookie Monster made of steel?
No. The 126619LB is 18 ct white gold. It looks similar to steel but is much heavier and priced far higher.
