The luxury watch world can’t stop talking about Rolex Kermit vs Starbucks. The Submariner “Kermit” (Reference 16610LV) has turned into a collector’s dream since its discontinuation in 2010. Its successor, the “Starbucks” (Reference 126610LV), keeps turning heads since its 2020 debut.
These two watches show some striking differences. Rolex created the Kermit to mark the Submariner line’s 50th anniversary. It sports a 40mm stainless steel case with its signature green aluminum bezel. The Starbucks takes things up a notch with a 41mm case and a tougher ceramic bezel. The differences go beyond looks. The Kermit’s Caliber 3135 movement gives you a 48-hour power reserve. The Starbucks steps up with its Caliber 3235, running strong for 70 hours.
Both watches command premium prices in today’s market. The Kermit has become one of Rolex’s hardest-to-find models, especially the early “Flat 4” versions that sell between €12,000 and €19,000. The Starbucks might be easier to find, but long waiting lists at authorized dealers push its price between €13,000 and €20,000.
This piece helps you understand these green-bezeled masterpieces better. Whether you’re weighing their differences or exploring their investment value, you’ll know which watch fits your collection and financial goals best.
Rolex’s green-bezeled Submariner models stand as important milestones in the company’s history. Each watch comes with unique features that make it special. The Rolex Kermit and Starbucks models tell us a fascinating story about the evolution of this iconic dive watch through the years.
Rolex introduced the Submariner “Kermit” (reference 16610LV) at Baselworld 2003 to celebrate the Submariner line’s 50th birthday. This special edition stayed in production for about seven years until 2010, though Rolex made it in limited numbers. The all-green “Hulk” model took its place with matching green dial and bezel.
September 2020 brought excitement when Rolex showed its refreshed Submariner collection with the new reference 126610LV. People quickly named it “Starbucks,” and it brought back the loved green bezel/black dial combination after ten years. The Starbucks launched with other updated Submariner models.
The Kermit started as a celebration piece. No one had seen a Submariner with such a bright green aluminum bezel before its launch. The watch also introduced Rolex’s new “Maxi dial” with bigger hour markers and thicker hands that made reading time easier.
The Starbucks shows what Rolex thinks a modern Submariner should be. This model focuses on technical improvements rather than celebrating an anniversary. It came as part of a complete Submariner line update with the first case size change in decades – from 40mm to 41mm – and better movement technology.
These watches got their fun nicknames from everyday culture. Watch fans called the 16610LV “Kermit” because its bright green bezel reminded them of the beloved Muppet character. This nickname stuck quickly and saved the watch from less flattering names like “Vomit Sub” that some critics suggested early on.
The 126610LV became “Starbucks” because its colors matched the coffee giant’s famous logo. The black dial and green ceramic bezel looked just like Starbucks’ signature colors. Some collectors tried names like “Kermit 2.0” or “Cermit” (mixing “ceramic” and “Kermit”), but “Starbucks” won out.
Rolex never uses these nicknames officially. They stick to reference numbers and the “LV” designation, which means “Lunette Verte” – French for “green bezel”.
Rolex’s Kermit and Starbucks models share green bezels, but that’s where their similarities end. These watches show nearly 20 years of Rolex’s technical progress.
These iconic timepieces show their biggest difference in bezel construction. The Kermit comes with an aluminum bezel insert—typical for its time—that gets a unique patina as it scratches and fades. Watch collectors love this “aging” trait because it gives each watch its own character. The Starbucks uses Rolex’s own Cerachrom ceramic material that resists scratches better and keeps its color longer. This new technology will give a pristine look to the bezel even after years of use. The visual look is different by a lot—the Kermit’s aluminum shows a metallic sheen with bold color, while the Starbucks has a glossier, even tone.
The size gap looks tiny—the Kermit is 40mm and the Starbucks is 41mm. Rolex didn’t just make things bigger though. They rebuilt the case from scratch. The Starbucks has sleeker lugs and smaller crown guards compared to the bulky “Super Case” from before. These changes make the Starbucks feel more like old Submariners even though it’s bigger. Both watches have the same case depth, so the newer watch sits just as flat on your wrist.
Both watches use black dials with the “Maxi” style that has bigger hour markers. The glow technology is nowhere near the same though. The Kermit’s Super-LumiNova gives off a green glow that starts bright but fades fast. The Starbucks uses Rolex’s own Chromalight technology that creates a blue glow lasting about twice as long—up to eight hours in the dark.
The bracelet system got the biggest upgrade. Both watches have Oyster bracelets with brushed outer links and polished sides, but the Starbucks bracelet is 21mm at the lugs (the Kermit is 20mm). The Starbucks also comes with the advanced Oysterlock folding clasp and Glidelock extension. You can adjust it without tools through 10 positions, each about 2mm apart. The Kermit’s older folding clasp works fine but needs tools to adjust and lacks the newer system’s smooth operation and flexibility.
The engineering brilliance that sets these two generations of Rolex Submariners apart lies behind their sapphire crystals. The movement differences between the Kermit and Starbucks models show Rolex’s technical progress over almost 20 years.
Rolex’s legendary Caliber 3135 powers the Kermit. This 28.5mm diameter workhorse came out in 1988 and many consider it one of the most reliable mechanical movements that ever spread. It was the beating heart of many iconic models like the Submariner Date, Sea-Dweller, and Datejust 36.
The Starbucks takes things further with its next-generation Caliber 3235, which Rolex revealed in 2015. The company redesigned over 90% of the components and secured 14 patents for this movement. Both calibers run at 28,800 beats per hour and use 31 jewels, but the 3235 is a complete redesign rather than just an update.
The power reserve duration stands out as one of the key practical differences between these Submariners. The Kermit’s Caliber 3135 runs for about 48 hours when fully wound.
The Starbucks’ Caliber 3235 pushes this to 70 hours – a 46% boost. Your Starbucks can sit idle from Friday evening until Monday morning and still keep perfect time. This is great for collectors who switch between multiple watches.
Rolex’s patented Chronergy escapement drives this performance jump. The Kermit uses a traditional Swiss lever escapement, while the Starbucks brings a fresh approach with its redesigned system.
The Chronergy escapement comes with a skeletonized escape wheel that cuts down inertia. It features pallet stones half as thick as older designs and offset escapement elements that boost leverage. These changes make it 15% more efficient. The escape wheel uses nickel-phosphorus, which helps it resist magnetic interference.
Both movements feature Rolex’s blue Parachrom hairspring. This special niobium-zirconium alloy stays 10 times more precise during shocks. The blue component also fights off magnetic fields and temperature changes effectively.
The Starbucks uses Rolex’s advanced Paraflex shock absorbers, which handle shocks 50% better than traditional systems. The Kermit relies on the older KIF shock absorption system.
The Caliber 3135 in the Kermit earned its reputation through rock-solid reliability. The Starbucks’ Caliber 3235 builds on this foundation with Rolex’s steadfast dedication to innovation. It offers better power reserve, higher efficiency, and stronger resistance to factors that affect precise timekeeping.
These two iconic timepieces have more to their story than just physical specs. The Rolex Kermit and Starbucks comparison goes beyond technical details to show how each watch feels and looks during everyday use.
These models might look alike, but their weight tells a different story. The modern Starbucks is about 20 grams heavier than the Kermit. You’d barely notice this extra weight once it’s on your wrist though. The Starbucks distributes weight better with its heavier clasp that balances out the watch head. The wider bracelet on the newer model also helps it sit better, which makes it feel balanced throughout the day.
Each watch creates its own unique impression. The Kermit’s 40mm case gives off a classic, balanced look with a touch of vintage charm. The Starbucks takes a bolder approach – its 41mm case makes more of a statement on the wrist.
The Starbucks stands out more, which collectors who want a commanding timepiece really appreciate. Its larger case shows off the dial and bezel features better. The Kermit comes across as playful and eye-catching, while the Starbucks gives off a more refined and subtle vibe.
Both watches feel great on the wrist, no matter their size differences. They work well even on smaller wrists (down to 16.5cm). The Starbucks, “despite its size and weight, is a watch that you simply wear without thinking about it”. Some people find the Kermit easier to match with different outfits and social settings.
These watches differ in more than just their measurements. One expert puts it perfectly: “They look almost identical but wear incredibly different. The new one is colder and more technical, while the old one manages to make the best out of its flaws, becoming the impalpable reason for what we call charm”. Both watches are great to wear daily. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer the Kermit’s balanced classic feel or the Starbucks’ bold modern presence.
The story of these two green-bezeled icons goes beyond looks and engineering. The market values of both rolex kermit vs starbucks models tell us quite a tale that depends on several key factors.
The Kermit’s original retail price was around $5,000 when it launched in 2003. Today, you’ll need between $15,500 and $23,000 to buy one in the pre-owned market. That’s more than four times its first price tag. The Starbucks came out in 2020 with an official price of $18,495. People often turn to the secondary market because of high demand, where prices range from $13,000 to $20,000. This creates an interesting situation – the Starbucks sells above retail in the secondary market even though it’s still in production. The reason? You can’t easily find one at authorized dealers.
The Kermit’s value comes from its discontinued status. Rolex stopped making it in 2010 after just seven years, which means genuine pieces become harder to find each year. The Starbucks is still in production and should be more available. But Rolex keeps such tight control over production that waiting lists at authorized dealers keep growing. Collectors love both watches – vintage enthusiasts chase the Kermit while modern spec lovers want the Starbucks.
These watches prove to be excellent investments. The Kermit’s price shot up after Rolex discontinued it because it became rare and historically important. The Starbucks holds its value well too, even as a newer model. Watch experts think the Starbucks might follow its predecessor’s path if Rolex ever stops making it.
Some versions of these watches are worth more than others. Early “Flat 4” Kermits got their name from the unique shape of the number 4 on the bezel, and collectors really want these. The Starbucks has its own variations – early “MK1” models have darker green bezels compared to the brighter “MK2” versions from 2023. These small differences affect what collectors will pay and how good an investment they might be.
| Feature | Rolex Kermit (16610LV) | Rolex Starbucks (126610LV) |
|---|---|---|
| Production Period | 2003-2010 | 2020-Present |
| Case Size | 40mm | 41mm |
| Bezel Material | Aluminum | Cerachrom ceramic |
| Movement | Caliber 3135 | Caliber 3235 |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours | 70 hours |
| Bracelet Width | 20mm | 21mm |
| Luminescence | Super-LumiNova (green glow) | Chromalight (blue glow) |
| Clasp System | Standard folding clasp | Oysterlock with Glidelock extension |
| Original Retail Price | ~$5,000 (2003) | ~$18,495 (2020) |
| Current Market Value | €12,000-19,000 | €13,000-20,000 |
| Special Variants | “Flat 4” bezel versions | MK1 (darker green), MK2 (brighter green) |
| Historical Significance | 50th Anniversary Submariner Edition | Modern collection update |
Your choice between the Rolex Kermit and Starbucks comes down to what matters most to you as a collector or enthusiast. These timepieces mark most important milestones in Rolex’s rich history, each with unique traits that match different priorities.
The Kermit, now discontinued, stands as a piece of history. This anniversary model celebrated the Submariner’s 50th birthday with its revolutionary green bezel. Its limited availability makes it highly appealing to collectors and investors. The aluminum bezel gains character as it ages, and its compact case stays true to vintage Submariner esthetics. Without doubt, collectors who value historical significance and classic Rolex technology find the Kermit irresistible.
The Starbucks shows Rolex’s steadfast dedication to innovation. Its upgraded Caliber 3235 movement delivers better power reserve and technical performance. The ceramic bezel will last longer without fading. The watch measures 41mm, yet its refined case proportions and advanced bracelet system make it comfortable for daily wear. Of course, these features attract people who welcome innovative watchmaking among other investment benefits.
Both watches show strong market performance. The Kermit has proven its worth since discontinuation, especially when you have rare variants like the “Flat 4” models. The Starbucks, though still in production, remains hard to find at retail. This suggests similar value growth potential if Rolex stops making it.
Whatever model you pick, a green-bezeled Submariner puts you in an exclusive group of enthusiasts who appreciate Rolex’s most distinctive sport watch variants. These watches are more than accessories – they are wearable investments that blend exceptional craftsmanship with proven value retention. Your choice, whether driven by Kermit’s historical appeal or Starbucks’ technical excellence, shows your refined taste in luxury watch collecting.
The key differences include the bezel material (aluminum for Kermit, ceramic for Starbucks), case size (40mm vs 41mm), movement (Caliber 3135 vs 3235), and production period (2003-2010 for Kermit, 2020-present for Starbucks).
Both models show strong investment potential. The discontinued Kermit has already appreciated significantly, while the Starbucks, despite being in current production, commands prices above retail due to high demand and limited availability.
The Kermit uses the Caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve, while the Starbucks features the newer Caliber 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve and improved efficiency through the Chronergy escapement.
Yes, early “Flat 4” Kermit models are highly sought after by collectors. For the Starbucks, there are subtle differences between early “MK1” models with darker green bezels and the brighter “MK2” versions introduced in 2023.
Despite being slightly larger and heavier, the Starbucks offers improved weight distribution and a more refined bracelet system. The Kermit provides a more classic feel, while the Starbucks has a bolder presence on the wrist. Both are considered comfortable for daily wear.
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