Rolex Nicknames: The Story Behind Popular Rolex Models

What is Rolex Nicknames?

Watch enthusiasts and collectors give Rolex models unofficial nicknames based on their unique looks, historical significance, or pop culture connections. These creative names come from the watch community’s imagination rather than Rolex itself. Popular nicknames like “Batman” and “Pepsi” belong to the GMT-Master line, while “Kermit” and “Smurf” are part of the Submariner series.

The practice has grown so much that collectors have created an entire classification system around Rolex products. These nicknames serve as quick identifiers that let collectors show their brand knowledge and enthusiasm. A name like “Pepsi” quickly describes the GMT-Master’s famous red and blue bezel without needing long descriptions or model numbers.

Most nicknames highlight design elements, like the “Rainbow” Daytona with its 36 baguette-cut sapphire bezel, or draw from history and pop culture references – think “Batman” GMT with its black and blue bezel. Each timepiece becomes more than just a watch and tells its own unique story.

These nicknames have a real impact on how much people want specific models and what they’ll pay for them in the secondary market. The practice has evolved into a special language that connects Rolex fans worldwide. This shared vocabulary shows the brand’s lasting appeal and the reliable community it has promoted.

Authorized dealers understand these nickname references, but Rolex staff prefer the official model names. Notwithstanding that, these fun aliases are easier to remember than model numbers like 126710BLRO, which makes talking about specific watches more fun for collectors and enthusiasts.

Rolex Submariner Nicknames

Rolex Submariner watches are known for their unique nicknames that come from their color combinations. Watch collectors use these unofficial names in their conversations, and many of these names connect to popular characters with matching colors.

Kermit

The “Kermit” name belongs to Submariner reference 16610LV, which Rolex launched in 2003 to celebrate the watch’s 50th anniversary. This watch stands out with its bright green aluminum bezel and black dial that looks like the famous green Muppet character. Rolex added a green bezel to the Submariner line for the first time with this model, which was different from their usual subtle colors. The Kermit also came with a Maxi Dial that had bigger markers and hands. While collectors had mixed feelings about it at first, the watch became popular before Rolex stopped making it in 2010.

Smurf

Rolex created the reference 116619LB in 2008 during their 100th-anniversary celebration. People called it the “Smurf” because it was all blue. This watch made history as Rolex’s first Submariner made completely from 18k white gold. The watch features a shiny blue dial that looks wet and a matching blue Cerachrom bezel with platinum-coated numbers. The Smurf stayed at the top of the Submariner line until 2020, despite its playful nickname.

Starbucks

The reference 126610LV came out with Rolex’s 2020 Submariner update. This 41mm watch combines a black dial with a green Cerachrom bezel. Watch fans quickly named it “Starbucks” because its colors matched the coffee chain’s logo. The watch comes in two versions: Mark 1 (2020-2023) has a darker green bezel, while Mark 2 (from May 2023) shows off a brighter grass green color. This model carries on the green-bezel tradition that started with the Kermit.

Cookie Monster

Reference 126619LB arrived in 2020 with an 18k white gold case, blue Cerachrom bezel, and black dial. Watch enthusiasts named it “Cookie Monster” after the Sesame Street character because of its blue and black colors. The watch packs the Caliber 3235 movement and can handle depths up to 300 meters. It also features an Oyster bracelet that adjusts with Glidelock extension. Unlike the Smurf, this model’s black dial creates an interesting contrast with its blue bezel, which gives it a unique place in the Submariner family.

Rolex GMT Nicknames

Rolex’s GMT-Master II collection catches everyone’s attention with its bi-color bezels. These unique designs have sparked creative nicknames among watch lovers and collectors.

Batman

The “Batman” name belongs to GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR that launched in 2013. Its blue and black ceramic bezel matches the Dark Knight’s signature colors. This watch made history as Rolex’s first single-piece two-tone ceramic bezel – something experts thought impossible. The model number includes “BLNR” which means “Bleu et Noir” (French for blue and black). Prices peaked at USD 23,200 in April 2022 and later settled at USD 14,800.

Batgirl

The GMT-Master II reference 126710BLNR came out in 2019 and got the “Batgirl” nickname. This model kept its predecessor’s blue and black bezel but added two changes: a better Caliber 3285 movement with 70-hour power reserve and a sleek five-link Jubilee bracelet instead of the Oyster. Since 2021, Rolex offers both bracelet options. You need to check the box papers or movement to tell Batman and Batgirl apart.

Pepsi

The red and blue bezel combination created the first and most famous GMT nickname. Pan American Airways pilots got these watches in 1955. The colors had a practical use – blue meant night hours and red showed daytime. This iconic design appears on many models from the vintage 6542 to today’s 126710BLRO. A vintage Pepsi reference 1675 costs around USD 26,000.

Root Beer

Brown and gold bezel GMTs got their “Root Beer” nickname from looking like the famous soda. Watch fans also call them “Eye of the Tiger” or “Tiger Eye” when they come with a sunburst dial. Early versions with raised minute markers earned another name – “Nipple Dial”. Rolex brought back this style in 2018 with reference 126711CHNR. This model mixes stainless steel with Everose gold and sports a black and brown Cerachrom bezel.

Sprite

The GMT-Master II reference 126720VTNR arrived in 2022 with a green and black bezel that inspired its “Sprite” nickname. This watch stands out as Rolex’s first left-handed model – the crown and date sit on the left side. You can get it with Jubilee or Oyster bracelets. Launch prices hit USD 47,000 before dropping to USD 18,900.

Bruce Wayne

The GMT family welcomed its newest member in 2024. Reference 126710GRNR comes with a black and gray bezel that earned it the “Bruce Wayne” nickname – a nod to Batman’s real identity. Some collectors use “Fantasmino” (little ghost) because it looks like faded vintage “ghost bezels”. This Jubilee bracelet model sells for about USD 19,700 in the secondary market.

Rolex Daytona and Other Model Nicknames

The Daytona collection goes beyond bezels and colors to showcase some of the most valuable and culturally prominent Rolex nicknames.

Paul Newman

The “Paul Newman” name refers to Daytona models with unique “exotic” dials made by Singer. These dials have blocky indices in the sub-registers, art deco-style numerals, and a step between the outer minute track and center dial. This nickname came about after the famous actor wore at least two different Daytonas with these dials, mainly his reference 6239. People didn’t like these models at first, but their value shot up after Italian collectors found photos of Newman wearing one. Newman’s personal Daytona made history in 2017 when it sold for USD 17.80 million at auction, becoming the most expensive Rolex that ever sold.

Pikachu

Yellow gold Daytona models, especially references 116508, 116518LN, and 126518LN, earned the “Pikachu” nickname. The watches’ yellow and black color scheme reminds people of the famous Pokémon character. These models usually come with champagne dials, black sub-dials, and either a matching gold bracelet or black Oysterflex strap. Full-gold versions sell for USD 35,000-50,000, while Oysterflex variants fetch USD 45,000-60,000.

Rainbow

The “Rainbow” Daytona debuted in 2012 as reference 116595RBOW with a bezel featuring 36 baguette-cut sapphires in a perfect gradient. This stunning timepiece broke away from Rolex’s usual understated designs. You can get it in Everose, yellow, or white gold, and it comes with 11 matching sapphire hour markers and diamond-set lugs. The Rainbow Daytona has caught many celebrity collectors’ eyes and remains in high demand, partly because Rolex makes very few due to the challenge of finding perfectly matched sapphires.

John Player Special

Gold Daytona references 6264 or 6241 with black exotic dials carry the “John Player Special” nickname. The name comes from John Player & Sons tobacco company’s Formula One team cars, which had a distinctive black and gold livery in the 1970s. The 18k gold reference 6264 with Paul Newman dial is incredibly rare – only about ten examples exist. The gold case and black dial create a dramatic visual impact.

Leopard

The “Leopard” nickname belongs to reference 116598SACO, which launched in 2004 with its bold leopard print dial and matching strap. This watch split opinions among collectors when it first appeared. It features 36 baguette-cut cognac sapphires on the bezel and 48 brilliant-cut diamonds on the lugs. While it uses the same reliable Caliber 4130 movement as other Daytonas, its bold exterior sets it apart from Rolex’s typically conservative designs. The Leopard transformed from a controversial piece to a sought-after collector’s item before Rolex discontinued it in 2019.

Rare and Collector-Favorite Rolex Nicknames

The world’s most coveted timepieces get their value from more than just technical excellence. Their fascinating stories and unique features have earned them special nicknames among collectors.

Bao Dai

The “Bao Dai” Rolex represents a special reference 6062 that belonged to Vietnam’s last emperor. This remarkable watch showcases a black dial with diamond markers placed at even hours. It stands as one of just three black dial models with diamond indices. The watch’s unique character comes from its dial layout – the Rolex crown moved down to make room for the diamond at 12 o’clock. The timepiece sold for USD 235,000 at the time in 2002, then reached USD 5.94 million at auction in 2017. This price made it the most expensive Rolex that ever spread to market.

James Bond

The Submariner reference 6538 earned its “James Bond” nickname after Sean Connery wore it in early 007 films, especially in 1964’s Goldfinger. The model features an oversized 8mm “Big Crown” without crown guards. This watch became legendary thanks to a close-up scene where Bond checks the time before an explosion. True examples remain scarce – collectors find about ten two-line dial versions for every four-line version.

Fat Lady

Rolex launched its first GMT-Master II, reference 16760, in 1983. People called it the “Fat Lady” because its thicker case housed the new Caliber 3085 movement. The watch picked up other nicknames, including “Sophia Loren” after the glamorous Italian actress. It brought the first independently adjustable hour hands and came only with a black and red “Coke” bezel during its short 1983-1988 production run.

Stelline

The name “Stelline,” meaning “little star” in Italian, points to reference 6062 watches with their star-shaped hour markers. Rolex made these watches for just three years during the 1950s. The model stands as one of only two Rolex watches with both triple calendar function and moonphase display. The 36mm Oyster case featured a waterproof twinlock crown and held the A260 caliber that ran both annual calendar and moonphase functions. These rare pieces now fetch auction estimates between USD 1-2 million.

Bubbleback

Rolex’s earliest automatic watches, made from 1933 through the mid-1950s, got the “Bubbleback” nickname. Their rounded caseback design needed extra space for the automatic winding rotor. Italian collectors called them “Ovetto” (little egg), while Hong Kong enthusiasts used the term “little coffins”. These timepieces saw huge collector interest in the 1980s, with prices higher than Daytonas and Submariners. Today, maintenance challenges affect their collectability.

Why Rolex Nicknames Matter to Collectors

Rolex nicknames mean much more than simple identifiers to serious watch collectors. These affectionate names tell stories about design features, historical milestones, and pop culture references. Each timepiece becomes a storyteller with its own unique tale.

Watch collectors’ deep connection with Rolex shines through these nicknames. Enthusiasts and collectors naturally create these names together, which adds mystique and desirability to specific models. These nicknames can boost a watch’s value by 20-50% in the secondary market compared to models without distinctive names.

Nicknames work better than Rolex’s complex reference numbering system:

• They make visual identification easy (saying “Batman” versus “116710BLNR”)
• They create emotional bonds that collectors love
• They help enthusiasts communicate across language barriers

These nicknames work as badges of honor in the collecting community. Collectors use them to show their knowledge and passion. When someone mentions a “Paul Newman” Daytona, they show they understand vintage chronographs and their place in watch history.

Watches with nicknames also hold their value better during tough economic times. Market data shows that watches with compelling stories, especially those with bright colors or historical connections, stay valuable even when markets drop.

This shared language brings the global Rolex community together. These nicknames let enthusiasts own part of the brand’s legacy. Collectors shape these timepieces’ cultural importance through language that celebrates what makes each watch special.

How Rolex Nicknames Influence Value and Demand

Rolex watches with nicknames sell at much higher prices in the secondary market. These watches outperform their regular counterparts in both value retention and just need. Market data shows that watches with nicknames that are decades old typically sell for 20-50% more than those without special names.

The “Paul Newman” Daytona stands out as a perfect example. This watch sold for an incredible USD 17.8 million at auction in 2017. The “Bao Dai” Rolex, a unique reference 6062 owned by Vietnam’s last emperor, brought USD 5.94 million that same year. The pattern shows up in more available models too. The discontinued “Hulk” Submariner now sells between USD 18,000-26,000 on secondary markets. This is a big deal as it means that its original USD 9,050 retail price.

These watches gain value because:

• Their unique looks make them easy to spot
• Most nicknamed models have rich history behind them
• The lack of pieces, especially discontinued ones, boosts prices
• Famous people wearing them adds to their appeal among collectors

Market data shows that collectors love watches with compelling stories. The “John Player Special” Daytona proves this point. Its Formula One racing heritage helped a mint condition piece reach USD 625,000 at Sotheby’s New York in 2021.

Money-wise, nicknamed Rolexes stay strong even when markets shake. Their established identity creates emotional bonds that exceed market ups and downs. Resellers and collectors must understand these names to navigate the luxury watch market’s value system.

The relationship between name recognition and market appeal creates what experts call a “vicious cycle”. As these watches grow popular, more people want them. This pushes prices higher. That’s why names like “Batman,” “Pepsi,” and “Hulk” have become part of these watches’ identity in collector groups.

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