Rolex watch nicknames: Pepsi, Coke, Kermit, Hulk, Smurf, Polar & more

Updated Thurs 12th May 2022 by Craig Gibson

Not sure of the difference between a Rolex ‘Pepsi’, ‘Kermit’ or ‘Hulk’; and have you even heard of a ‘SARU’ or a ‘Smurf’? 

Never fear, our guide is here to educate and prevent any embarrassment. 

The first thing to know is that most of these are not official or designated by Rolex themselves, but have evolved over time from Rollie fans and the collector community. The nicknames are inspired by a variety of factors, including:

• The colour combination of the bezel and dial, or another subtle design feature.
• Because someone famous wore a particular model, and became associated with it.
• There is also a naming convention based on official Rolex reference numbers, with the letters at the end often being used as a nickname or shorthand for the model. 

Here we are focusing on Rolex models that are for sale now, widely available, and pass through our showrooms regularly – so don’t expect to see a ‘Paul Newman’ or ‘JPS Paul Newman’ listed here 🙂 You can also read our article covering the cheapest Rolex models for sale, if you are looking to get started with an entry level timepiece from the brand.

Rolex watch nicknames: Pepsi, Coke, Root Beer, Kermit, Hulk, James Cameron, Smurf and more with prices

Here they are, all the current, popular Rolex watches with nicknames, kicking off with the ‘Pepsi’.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO: ‘Pepsi’

Perhaps the most iconic, and sought after Rolex alongside the Submariner, the GMT-Master II with its bidirectional rotatable red/blue bezel is known as ‘Pepsi’ – after the famous drinks brand’s colours and logo. ‘Pepsi’ has been in existence since the first Ref. 6542 all the way to the current ceramic Ref. 126710BLRO. Here knowing some French helps, as the ‘BLRO’ in the reference number stands for bleu/rouge, which translates to blue/red. Not to be confused with the black-and-red GMT-Master II or ‘Coca Cola’ (see below).

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $31,000 for a pre-owned Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ in stainless steel with the ‘full house’ original box and papers. It also comes in white gold, and white gold with a meteorite dial, which sell for a lot more.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116710BLNR or 126710BLNR: ‘Batman’, ‘Batgirl’ or ‘Night and Day’

As you can see we have a second GMT-Master II, this one with the nickname: ‘Batman’, after the caped crusader’s dominant colour scheme on the bezel. You may also hear this particular GMT being called a  ‘BLNR’, which is simply its official Rolex reference number: 116710BLNR. Here again the French colour is used, in this case bleu/noir, which is blue/black in English. There is also an updated version of this watch, released in 2019, with a slightly re-designed, slimmer case that comes with a Jubilee bracelet, rather than the original Oyster. This has become the ‘Batgirl’, thanks to a slightly more refined, classy look and feel. You may also hear this GMT being called ‘Night and Day’, referencing the bezel – blue being day, and black the night.

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $25,000 or more for a pre-owned GMT-Master II ‘Batman’.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16710: ‘Coke’ or ‘Fat Lady’

Launched in 1983, the current version of the Rolex GMT-Master II is a Ref. 16710, with the black and red bezel becoming known as ‘Coke’ or ‘Coca-Cola’ – for obvious reasons. If you look carefully you will also see that this version of the GMT comes with a red, triangle-tipped 24-hour hand, which is blue in the ‘Batman’. If you come across the original version was the Ref. 16760, which has since become known as the ‘Fat Lady’, as the case was slightly thicker than the ref that replaced it.

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $18,000 to $24,000 depending on the model and condition.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126711CHNR: ‘Root Beer’

The Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR, otherwise known as ‘Root Beer’ – has beautiful chocolate brown accents on the two-tone ceramic bezel. This works very well when you throw in stainless steel, 18-carat Everose gold and a black dial. It also comes in a few different versions, including an Everose gold model. Analyse the reference lettering, and you will see CHNR which some think translates to chocolat/noir – noir meaning black in French, but actually stands for Châtain et Noir, which is chestnut brown and black. Oh – and if you’ve never heard of root beer, it’s a soft drink popular in the US that is actually made from the root of a plant.

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $32,000 or more for a Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR, depending on the model and condition.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126755SARU: ‘SARU’

Another GMT-Master, another nickname. If you haven’t heard of the ‘SARU’ – or the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II SARU – don’t be that surprised, there aren’t many around. The nickname – ‘SARU’ – refers to the semi-precious stones set in the bezel, namely the ‘SA’pphires and ‘RU’bies, which feature factory set diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Yes, this is not an aftermarket modification, ‘SARU’ is direct from the Rolex factory – as evidenced by its official reference: 126755SARU. Could also have the nickname ‘Bling’…

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of…$220,000. And, no – that is not a typo!

Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610LV: ‘Kermit’

Just like the GMT-Master line, Rollie’s other bezelled sports watch, versions of the iconic Sub have spawned a bunch of cool nicknames. To kick us off this is the Submariner, Ref. 16610LV, otherwise known to Rollie lovers as the ‘Kermit’. Introduced in 2003 for the Submariner’s 50th birthday, the LV in the reference stands for ‘Lunette Verte’ (green bezel). It also has an aluminium bezel, not the more recent Cerachrom. How else is the ‘Kermit’ different? It has slightly bigger hour markers and the minute hand is a little broader. Earlier models have slightly different shades of green, some more olive as the bezels age.

Pricing: You can expect to pay anywhere from $26,000 to $38,000 for a Submariner, Ref. 16610LV depending on the model. As a discontinued model this model is in high demand, and prices for pre-owned models (with box and papers) are escalating.

Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610LV: ‘Hulk’

Launched in 2010 to replace the ‘Kermit’, Rolex thought fans wanted more green in a Sub so they produced the ‘Hulk’ with a green dial. The other major difference is that the case is slightly heavier and you also get the Cerachrom bezel. This is a scratch-resistant ceramic material that Rolex produces in-house which prevents discolorations that affected earlier bezels.

Pricing: You can expect to pay anywhere from $26,000 to $38,000 for a Submariner ‘Hulk”, and as a discontinued model you can expect prices to go one way.

Rolex Submariner Ref. 116619LB: ‘Smurf’

If you are looking for the kookiest Rolex watch nickname then the ‘Smurf’ is definitely up there. The first white gold Submariner made by Rolex in 2008 had a blue dial (Ref. 116619LB), but the new edition (Ref: 126619LB) has a black dial. But the nickname clearly comes from the bulletproof ‘smurfy blue’ Cerachrom unidirectional bezel. The use of white gold makes this model a little more weightier than a standard sub. Other features to look out for are the ‘maxi Dial’ found on other models, which involve larger luminous markers and wider hands. By now your French should be good enough to figure out that the ‘LB’ in the reference is lunette bleu, which is a blue bezel.

Pricing: You can expect to pay anywhere from $73,995 for a Rolex Submariner Ref: 126619LB ‘Smurf’.

Rolex Submariner 116613LB ‘Bluesy’

Any Rolex with blue anywhere on it, be that the dial or bezel, is sure to get some attention. True to form, the Rolex Submariner Ref. 116613LB – here in two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold – or ‘Bluesy’ is in high demand. In fact, alongside certain GMT-II models and other Subs, it is probably in the top 5 ‘most desirable’ Rollies, if such a list officially existed. This model was also updated in 2020, with the Ref. 126613LB, which grew by a single millimetre to 41mm with slight re-designed lugs.

Pricing: You can expect to pay anywhere from $23,995 for a Rolex Submariner Ref. 116613LB Date 40mm Two Tone ‘Bluesy’.

Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea Ref. 116660: ‘James Cameron’

The Rolex Sea-Dweller, which is basically the big brother to the one and only Sub, is a seriously tough timepiece, with a depth rating of 1,220 metres (4,000 ft). Compare that to the Sub which is rated to 300 meters (1,000 ft)! It’s why James Cameron’s chose it for his solo trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench – the deepest point on earth, which was honoured with this special Deepsea version. The key difference is the dial, which subtly grades from a deep blue to black – the colour of Cameron’s submersible. 

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $26,000, depending on condition – and if it has a box and papers.

Rolex Explorer II ‘Polar’

The Rolex Explorer II with a white dial is something of an anomaly as there aren’t many Rolex sports models with a white dial. So if you have a ref. 16550, ref. 16570, or ref. 216570 Explorer II you are the proud owner of a what Rolex collectors and fans call the ‘Polar’ – as in snow white. This also helps to differentiate it from the black dial Explorer II. The name makes sense as this watch is designed for explorers, and some would have conceivably traversed the polar regions which are covered in (white) snow!

Pricing: You can expect to pay in the region of $22,500 for a 2022 Rolex Explorer II 226570 White Dial Stainless Steel 42mm, with box and papers.

Looking for a particular Rolex model? We have an extensive range of pre-owned Rolex watches, all in mint condition and most with box and papers. Want to view a watch? It’s as easy as getting in touch to arrange a private appointment. We have showrooms in Melbourne and Sydney, where we can help you choose the right watch for you.