Decoding Rolex Watch Nicknames: From Paul Newman to Starbucks
By: Preston Turk | Posted: April 18, 2023
Vintage Grail’s Guide to the Nicknames of the Most Popular Rolex Watches
Some collectors have studied the catalog of Rolex reference numbers and arrived at an encyclopedic knowledge of what each reference number indicates, while others rely on Google to confirm they are referring to a specific watch when speaking with other enthusiasts.
Manufacturer’s reference numbers are often long, mostly numeric, and cumbersome to quickly refer to a specific watch in conversation or online. As such, many of the most popular models have earned shorthand nicknames that reflect their unique colorways. Below we will list some of the most popular models and their nicknames, so you are in the know next time someone mentions it.
The Rolex Submariner and Sea-Dweller Series:
The Submariner is one of the most famous dive watches in the world, and for good reason. Its rugged design, waterproof case, and reliable movement make it a favorite among professional divers and collectors alike.
Kermit – As the first splash of green to be featured in the Submariner series, the bezel of the 16610LV has earned it the nickname “Kermit.” A controversial model when launched, the green color, indicated by “LV” or Lunette Verte in the reference, became popular and remains in the series to this day, even as the 16610LV was phased out.
Hulk – Replacing the “Kermit,” the “Hulk” reference 116610LV brings a full green colorway, with a sunburst green dial and green bezel, matching the eponymous comic book character. In 2020, collectors expressed they could not get enough of this model as the value increased significantly following its discontinuation.
Starbucks – The Rolex Submariner reference 126610LV “Starbucks” was launched in 2020, and earned its nickname due to the similarities between the visual pairing of the green bezel and black dial to the Seattle coffee chain’s branding.
Bluesy – The Rolex Submariner “Bluesy” earns its nickname from its gorgeous blue, sunburst dial paired with a two tone case and bracelet. In the watch community, this nickname covers both the older, aluminum bezel 16803, the ceramic-bezel 116613LB, and the current reference 126613LB.
Smurf – The “Smurf” reference 116619LB is one of two full precious metal variants of the Submariner series to earn a nickname, owing to its full blue colorway on a full white gold case and bracelet.
Cookie Monster – While some in the community call the newer reference 126619LB a “Smurf,” this replacement of the 116619LB has a black dial instead of blue, and the general consensus is that “Cookie Monster” should be the proper nickname for this reference.
Bart Simpson – This nickname refers to a Rolex Submariner 5513, which was specifically produced between 1965-1966 where the Rolex “coronet” on the dial is unusually short and resembles the character’s hair from the Simpsons cartoon.
James Bond – While the fictional secret agent has worn a number of different brands over the years, the Rolex Submariner 6538 from 1956-1959 has earned this nickname by first being featured on the wrist of Sean Connery in the film “Dr. No” in 1962 and the four following films in the franchise.
James Cameron – Following the initial collaboration between the famous director and Rolex in 2008, this nickname refers to any Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 116660, 126660 or 136660 produced from 2008-present that features a blue-to-black colored dial. This dial was produced to evoke the change in color of the sea during a dive as depth increases. While these are not produced in limited quantities, they are hard to find and celebrated among divers and collectors.
Great White – The Rolex Sea-Dweller “Great White” refers to a reference 1665 which was released in 1977 and abandoned the printing of “Submariner” in red on the dial. Due to the monochromatic dial, this vintage diving watch earned the nickname the “Great White.”
DRSD (Double Red Sea Dweller) – The Rolex Sea-Dweller was launched 1967 with the reference 1665, which featured a double red printing on the dial of “Sea-Dweller / Submariner 2000” in reference to the impressive 2,000 foot depth rating. This watch was in production for 10 years, until 1977.
The Rolex GMT-Master Series:
Coke – This Rolex GMT-Master II reference 16710 “Coke” earned its nickname via the bi-color aluminum bezel, reminiscent of the Coca-Cola brand. This model was produced from 1989 through 2007, featuring a smaller wrist profile with its classic Oyster case.
Pepsi – One of the most popular Rolex sports references in production today, and possibly ever, is the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” reference 126710BLRO, which features a bi-color bezel like the original model from 1954. This bezel is now crafted in ceramic for a lifetime of durability and fade-proof color.
Sprite – The Rolex GMT-Master II “Sprite” reference 126720VTNR made waves when it was announced in 2022, as it was the first watch from Rolex with the crown on the left side of the watch. Available in both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets, this “lefty” watch earned the “Sprite” nickname from the bi-color bezel, evoking the soda company’s branding.
Batman – The Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” reference 126710BLNR is visually similar to the “Pepsi,” and featured a distinctive, blue and black ceramic bezel, reminiscent of Batman’s classic comic book colors.
Batgirl – The Rolex “Batgirl” is exactly the same as the “Batman” reference 126710BLNR, but fitted with a Jubilee bracelet instead of an Oyster bracelet.
Rootbeer – The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126711CHNR is known as the “Rootbeer,” because the two-tone yellow and steel case and bi-color brown and black bezel are visually similar to the company colors of Mug, the US root beer brand, and the color of the beverage itself. One thing to note, the collector community occasionally also uses the “Rootbeer” nickname for the full rose gold GMT-Master II reference 126715CHNR.
The Rolex Daytona Series:
Panda – A Rolex “Panda” Daytona can refer to a number of different references over the years, including vintage references 6263 and 6265, and the modern references 116500LN and 126500LN, owing to the white dial and black subdials resembling the face of endangered bear.
John Player Special – This nick name refers to a Rolex Daytona 6241 with a yellow gold case, black dial and gold subdials produced from 1966-1969. The nickname comes from the colors of this reference happening to match the colors of the Lotus Formula 1 team while sponsored by “John Player & Sons ‘Special’” cigarette brand.
Zenith – A Rolex “Zenith” Daytona refers to any model in the reference 16520 series due to the use of a modified Zenith Calibre 400 movement. The reference can cover both white and black dial variants of the 16520 Daytona series.
Patrizzi – A Rolex Daytona “Patrizzi” is a Zenith Dayonta reference 16520 with a dial where the counters have turned brown, due to the use of zapon, an organic varnish, on the dial.
Paul Newman – The Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” nickname covers several references including 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 and 6265, however only examples of these references that include the characteristic of a 3-coloured dial, an art deco-style font and the harsh marks with small squares to the subsidiary dial would qualify as a Paul Newman Daytona.
“Neo” Paul Newman – The Rolex Daytona reference 116508-0009 is a modern watch that is also nicknamed the “Neo Paul Newman Daytona,” owing to the “inverse panda” design of the dial in matt black and gold chronograph subdials evoking the high contrast of the “Panda” dial on the original.
While the original “Newman” Daytona was a steel watch, this modern iteration is rendered in 18k yellow gold making the black dial pop in contrast.
The Rolex Oyster Chronograph:
Jean-Claude Killy – The modern Rolex catalog does not feature much in the way of complications, but this was not always the case. This Rolex Oyster Chronograph reference 6036 is one such example, featuring a chronograph, date, day and month complications. This reference, produced in the mid-1950’s, it was made famous for being a favorite of French Alpine Ski Racer and Olympic gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy.
The Rolex Day-Date and Datejust Series:
President – The Rolex Day-Date “President” got its nickname due to its association with influential American presidents. It is said that Rolex gifted a Day-Date model to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, which he was observed wearing regularly during his time in office. The watch’s association with powerful figures and its reputation for luxury and prestige helped solidify its name and status as an iconic timepiece.
Today the “President” nickname applies generally to any Day-Date with a fluted bezel and bracelet featuring semi-circular links such as the modern reference 228238, but not limited to yellow gold models
The Rolex Explorer Series:
Polar – While the Explorer II was originally developed for caving, the “Polar” nickname comes from the Explorer II being worn by alpinists and adventurers including Ed Viesturs, the only American to climb all 14 of the globe’s “eight-thousander” peaks; Jean Troillet, the Swiss/Canadian who set the speed record for climbing the Matterhorn; and Alain Hubert, world-renowned Polar explorer who achieved a world-record cross of the Antarctic continent. While these explorers have worn both black and white dial variants, the Rolex “Polar” nickname typically covers any Explorer II reference with a white dial. This can include the reference 16570, 216570, and the current model 226570.
Steve McQueen – This Rolex Explorer II reference 1655 earned its nickname by being associated with the actor Steve McQueen. This nickname is a bit of a misnomer, however, as the actor never actually wore this piece on his own time and instead daily wore a no-date Submariner 5512. The association comes from an advertising campaign Rolex ran in the 1970’s to boost the popularity of the watch, which worked so well collectors associate it with him to this day.
Summary of Nicknames and Reference Numbers:
| Nickname | Series | Reference No. | Production Years |
| Kermit | Rolex Submariner | 16610LV | 2003 – 2010 |
| Hulk | Rolex Submariner | 116610LV | 2010 – 2020 |
| Starbucks | Rolex Submariner | 126610LV | 2020 – Present |
| Bluesy | Rolex Submariner | 116613LB and 126613LB | 2009 – 2012, Present |
| Smurf | Rolex Submariner | 116619LB | 2008 – 2020 |
| Cookie Monster | Rolex Submariner | 126619LB | 2020 – Present |
| Bart Simpson | Rolex Submariner | 5513 | 1965-1966 |
| James Bond | Rolex Submariner | 6538 | 1956-1959 |
| James Cameron | Rolex Sea-Dweller | 116660-136660 | 2008-Present |
| Great White | Rolex Sea-Dweller | 1665 | 1977 – 1983 |
| DRSD (Double Red Sea Dweller) | Rolex Submariner | 1665 | 1967-1977 |
| Coke | Rolex GMT-Master II | 16710 | 1989 – 2007 |
| Pepsi | Rolex GMT-Master II | 126710BLRO | 2018 – Present |
| Sprite | Rolex GMT-Master II | 126720VTNR | 2022 – Present |
| Batman | Rolex GMT-Master II | 126710BLNR-Oyster | 2019 – Present |
| Batgirl | Rolex GMT-Master II | 126710BLNR-Jubilee | 2019 – Present |
| Rootbeer | Rolex GMT-Master II | 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR | 2018 – Present |
| Panda | Rolex Daytona | 6263 6265 116500LN 126500LN |
1971 – 1987 1971 – 1987 2016 – 2023 2023 – Present |
| John Player Special | Rolex Daytona | 6241 | 1966-1969 |
| Zenith | Rolex Daytona | 16520 | 1988 – 2000 |
| Patrizzi | Rolex Daytona | 16520 with Tropic black dial | 1988 – 2000 |
| Paul Newman | Rolex Daytona | 6239 6241 6262 6263 6264 6265 |
1963 – 1969 1966 – 1969 1970 – 1971 1971 – 1987 1970 1971 – 1987 |
| “Neo” Paul Newman | Rolex Daytona | 116508-0009 | 2016 – Present |
| Jean Claude Killy | Rolex Oyster Chronograph | 6036 | Circa 1953-1958 |
| President | Rolex Day-Date | Numerous, including 228238 | 1956 – Present |
| Polar | Rolex Explorer-II | 16570 216570 226570 |
1989 – 2011 2011 – 2021 2021 – Present |
| Steve McQueen | Rolex Explorer-II | 1655 | 1971 – 1984 |
If you are looking for any of these classic Rolex models, Vintage Grail is here to help. We either have the stock, or we can find it via our extensive sourcing network. Visit www.vintagegrail.com or contact us today at [email protected] or our mobile (+63) 917 159 1211 for more information or to book a viewing.
