Rolex Submariner Colorways & Nicknames: Hulk, Kermit, Starbucks, Smurf and the Green & Blue Submariners

Rolex never names its watches after Muppets, frogs, coffee chains, or Sesame Street characters — it uses reference numbers and the “LV” (“Lunette Verte,” French for “green bezel”) or “LB” (“Lunette Bleue,” blue bezel) designations. The nicknames are collector shorthand, and over two decades they have attached themselves to a small family of green- and blue-accented Submariners that look closely related but differ in dial color, bezel material, movement, case size, and value.

This guide maps those Rolex Submariner colorways in one place: what each nickname refers to, the reference number behind it, what changed between generations, and how to choose. If you’re comparing two specific models, jump to the at-a-glance table, then to the section for the colorway you care about.

How to read this family: the green Submariners split into green-bezel/black-dial models (Kermit → Starbucks) and the all-green dial-and-bezel model (Hulk). The blue Submariners are precious-metal pieces (Smurf → the 2020 successor). Most of the green/blue lineage runs in pairs — an earlier generation on Caliber 3135 and a 2020-era successor on the upgraded Caliber 3235.

At-a-glance: Submariner nicknames

Nickname	Dial / Bezel	Picture	Reference	Metal	Years	Notes
Kermit	Black dial / green aluminum bezel		16610LV	Stainless steel	2003–2010	50th-anniversary Submariner; first green bezel; “Maxi dial.” Sought-after “Flat 4” bezel variant.
Hulk	Sunburst green dial / green ceramic bezel		116610LV	Stainless steel	2010–2020	First all-green Submariner; “Super Case.” Discontinued.
Starbucks (a.k.a. Kermit 2.0 / Cermit)	Black dial / green Cerachrom bezel		126610LV	Stainless steel	2020–present	41mm modern case; Caliber 3235. MK1 (darker green) vs MK2 (brighter, 2023).
Smurf	Blue lacquer dial / blue Cerachrom bezel		116619LB	18k white gold	2008–2020	First all-white-gold Submariner; 100th-anniversary era. Discontinued.
“Cookie Monster”	Black gloss dial / blue Cerachrom bezel		126619LB	18k white gold	2020–present	White-gold successor to the Smurf; Caliber 3235. (Nickname usage — see fact-check.)

The green Submariners

Kermit (16610LV) — the original green bezel

Rolex introduced the Submariner “Kermit” at Baselworld 2003 to mark the Submariner line’s 50th anniversary. It was the first Submariner with a bright green bezel — a green aluminum insert, typical for its era — paired with a black dial. The watch also debuted Rolex’s “Maxi dial,” with larger hour markers and thicker hands for improved legibility.

The Kermit ran for about seven years until 2010 and was made in limited numbers. Its aluminum bezel develops a patina as it ages, which collectors prize as character. Mechanically it runs the Caliber 3135 (1988, 28,800 vph, 31 jewels, 48-hour power reserve) with a traditional Swiss lever escapement and KIF shock absorption. The case is 40mm with a 20mm lug width and an older folding clasp that needs a tool to adjust.

The nickname came from the bezel’s bright green recalling the Muppet character — and reportedly displaced less flattering early names. Early “Flat 4” versions (named for the shape of the numeral 4 on the bezel) are the most collectible variant.

Hulk (116610LV) — the all-green Submariner

The Hulk took the green theme further with a matching sunburst green dial and green ceramic bezel — the first all-green Submariner. The sunburst dial shifts between shades of green as light moves across it, an unusual effect in a normally conservative collection. It is the high-water mark of Rolex’s robust 2010s “Super Case” design: broad shoulders, angular lugs, substantial crown guards, for a muscular wrist presence.

It measures 40mm with a 20mm lug width, runs the Caliber 3135 (48-hour power reserve), and offers 300m water resistance, a Triplock crown, and Chromalight lume — the standard professional-dive package. Despite the smaller 40mm case, its chunky proportions often make it look larger than the 41mm Starbucks.

The Hulk was discontinued in 2020 and is available only on the secondary market.

Starbucks (126610LV) — the modern green bezel

When Rolex refreshed the Submariner line in September 2020, it brought back the green-bezel/black-dial combination after a decade, in reference 126610LV. Collectors named it “Starbucks” for the resemblance to the coffee chain’s green-and-black logo; “Kermit 2.0” and “Cermit” (ceramic + Kermit) were also floated.

The Starbucks is a ground-up modernization rather than an anniversary piece:

• Case: grown to 41mm (the first Submariner size change in decades), with sleeker lugs and smaller crown guards than the Super Case, and a 21mm lug width — so despite being larger on paper it wears more like older Submariners.
• Bezel: green Cerachrom ceramic — scratch-resistant and fade-resistant, with a glossier, more even tone than the Kermit’s aluminum. Early MK1 examples have a darker green bezel; the MK2 (from 2023) is brighter.
• Movement: Caliber 3235 (introduced 2015; 90%+ new components, 14 patents), 28,800 vph, with the Chronergy escapement (15% more efficient), a 70-hour power reserve, Paraflex shock absorbers (≈50% better than KIF), and the blue Parachrom hairspring.
• Bracelet: Oyster with the Oysterlock clasp and Glidelock extension — toolless micro-adjustment in roughly 2mm steps across about 10 positions.
• Lume: Chromalight (blue glow, lasting roughly twice as long as the Kermit’s Super-LumiNova).

Still in production, but authorized-dealer waiting lists run 1–3 years, which pushes secondary-market prices above retail.

The blue Submariners

Smurf (116619LB) — the all-blue white-gold Submariner

In 2008 — as Rolex marked its 100th anniversary and the Submariner’s 55th year — it released reference 116619LB, the first Submariner made entirely from 18k white gold. It pairs a blue Cerachrom bezel with a matching blue lacquer dial for a unified, monochrome look that earned it the “Smurf” nickname. The bezel’s ceramic carries platinum-coated numerals and graduations.

It is a 40mm case (20mm lug width) running the Caliber 3135 (48-hour power reserve) with the KIF shock system. Like all of these models it carries Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification (−2/+2 sec/day) and the Oyster bracelet with Glidelock. The Smurf was discontinued in 2020 — the year the Submariner case grew to 41mm — and is now sought after for its scarcity.

“Cookie Monster” (126619LB) — the white-gold successor

In 2020 Rolex released reference 126619LB, the white-gold successor to the Smurf. It keeps the blue Cerachrom bezel (platinum-coated markings) but swaps the blue dial for a glossy black dial, creating a bold black-and-blue contrast — the combination collectors associate with the “Cookie Monster” nickname.

It is 18k white gold, 41mm with a 21mm lug width and thinner, more comfortable lugs than the Smurf, and it runs the upgraded Caliber 3235 (70-hour reserve, Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, blue Parachrom hairspring). It uses the Oyster bracelet with Glidelock and carries the same −2/+2 sec/day certification. It remains in production, though backorders are significant.

Which Submariner colorway is right for you?

• You want the original green and don’t mind aging aluminum → Kermit (16610LV). The 50th-anniversary piece, vintage-leaning at 40mm, with collectible “Flat 4” variants. Discontinued, so secondary market only.
• You want a bold, all-green statement → Hulk (116610LV). The only matching green dial-and-bezel Submariner, with the most commanding “Super Case” presence. Discontinued; commands the strongest green-Sub premium.
• You want the modern green bezel with the latest spec → Starbucks (126610LV). The 41mm refined case, ceramic bezel, Caliber 3235 (70h reserve), and a more versatile black-dial/green-bezel look for daily wear. In production, but expect a long wait.
• You want an all-blue precious-metal Submariner → Smurf (116619LB). White gold, monochrome blue, discontinued and scarce.
• You want a white-gold blue-bezel watch with the newest movement → “Cookie Monster” (126619LB). Black-and-blue contrast, 41mm, Caliber 3235; in production.
• Green-bezel generations head-to-head (Kermit vs Starbucks) → the core trade-off is aluminum-bezel vintage charm and a discontinued 40mm case (Kermit) versus ceramic durability, a 41mm modern case, and a longer-running movement (Starbucks).
• Green head-to-head (Hulk vs Starbucks) → exclusivity and bold monochrome of a discontinued model (Hulk) versus superior specs and a more versatile two-tone look still in production (Starbucks).

Market notes

Secondary-market prices move constantly, so treat all figures as directional, not advice. As referenced at the time the source material was written:

• Kermit (16610LV): original retail roughly $5,000 (2003); pre-owned roughly $15,500–$23,000 (some sources quote €12,000–€19,000).
• Hulk (116610LV): original retail $9,050; pre-owned roughly $18,000–$25,000 (some sources $17,000–$22,000), having peaked above $30,000 after its 2020 discontinuation.
• Starbucks (126610LV): original retail around $10,900 (some sources cite ~$18,495 within the refreshed line); pre-owned roughly $13,000–$20,000, i.e. above retail despite being in production.
• Smurf (116619LB): original retail roughly $38,000–$39,650 (figure varies in the source); secondary market around $33,167.
• “Cookie Monster” (126619LB): retail $46,600; secondary market around $31,789, with occasional spikes to $45,000–$50,000 after high-profile celebrity exposure.

Frequently asked questions

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