In short
- The Rolex Hulk is the Submariner Date 116610LV: green dial, green ceramic bezel, 40mm steel case.
- Rolex made it from 2010 to 2020, so every Hulk you can buy today is a pre-owned watch.
- Its successor, the 126610LV, kept the green bezel but went back to a black dial.
- Before you buy, check originality, the bezel, the bracelet, the papers and the service history.
- We buy and sell the Hulk, with private viewings by appointment in Hatton Garden.
The Rolex Hulk is the nickname for the Submariner Date reference 116610LV, the steel dive watch that pairs a green sunray dial with a green Cerachrom bezel. It was launched in 2010, discontinued in 2020, and has become one of the most recognisable modern Rolex sports watches. This page explains where the name came from, how to identify a genuine Hulk, what to check before you buy one, and how it compares with the green Submariners on either side of it.
What is the Rolex Hulk?
Officially, the watch is the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, reference 116610LV. The “LV” suffix comes from the French lunette verte, meaning green bezel. Collectors gave it the name Hulk almost as soon as it appeared, because nothing else in the Rolex catalogue was quite so green: the dial, the bezel insert and the light catching both of them.
Underneath the colour it is a thoroughly modern Submariner. It uses the same 40mm Oystersteel case as the black 116610LN, with the broader lugs and crown guards of that generation, a screw-down Triplock crown and water resistance to 300 metres. Inside is the self-winding calibre 3135, one of the most widely used and best understood Rolex movements. The Oyster bracelet has an Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex's Glidelock system, which lets you lengthen or shorten the bracelet at the clasp without tools.
Because production ended in 2020, every Rolex Hulk on the market now is a pre-owned watch. Some have been worn daily for a decade; others have been kept in the safe with their stickers still on. That range is exactly why the checks further down this page matter.
Why it is called the Hulk
The name is a nod to the comic-book character, and it stuck because it is accurate. In daylight the dial is a bright, saturated green with a sunburst finish that throws light across its surface. Indoors or in shade it darkens considerably, and in some light it can look almost black. Owners often say the Rolex Hulk looks like a different watch depending on where you stand, and that changeable quality is a big part of its appeal.
Nicknames like this are a collector shorthand, not something Rolex uses. You will never see “Hulk” on a warranty card, an invoice or the official Rolex website. The reference number is what identifies the watch, so when you are buying or selling, always confirm the reference rather than relying on the nickname alone.
Rolex Hulk specifications
| Detail | Submariner Date 116610LV |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Hulk |
| Production | 2010 to 2020 |
| Case | 40mm Oystersteel, screw-down Triplock crown |
| Bezel | Unidirectional, green Cerachrom ceramic insert |
| Dial | Green with a sunray finish, Chromalight luminous markers |
| Movement | Calibre 3135, self-winding, with date |
| Water resistance | 300 metres |
| Bracelet | Oyster, Oysterlock clasp with Glidelock extension |
The ceramic bezel insert is one of the reasons the Hulk has aged so well. Cerachrom is highly resistant to scratches and its colour does not fade in sunlight, unlike the aluminium inserts used on earlier Submariners. That means a well-kept Hulk from 2011 can look remarkably close to one from 2019.
Kermit, Hulk and Starbucks: the green Submariner family
The Rolex Hulk sits in the middle of three green-bezel Submariner Date references. Each one has its own nickname, and buyers often weigh them against each other.
| Reference | Nickname | Years | Dial and bezel | Case and movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16610LV | Kermit | 2003 to 2010 | Black dial, green aluminium insert | 40mm, calibre 3135 |
| 116610LV | Hulk | 2010 to 2020 | Green dial, green ceramic insert | 40mm, calibre 3135 |
| 126610LV | Starbucks, sometimes “Cermit” | 2020 onwards | Black dial, green ceramic insert | 41mm, calibre 3235 |
The Kermit was introduced in 2003 to mark fifty years of the Submariner, and its lime-green aluminium bezel was the first green Submariner bezel. The Rolex Hulk replaced it in 2010 with ceramic and a green dial. When Rolex updated the Submariner range in 2020, the green dial was dropped and the new 126610LV returned to black, with a green ceramic bezel and the newer calibre 3235. Our guide to the Rolex Starbucks and Kermit covers those two in detail.
How to tell a Rolex Hulk from the 126610LV
At a glance the green dial settles it: if the dial is black, it is not a Rolex Hulk. Photographs can be misleading, though, because the Hulk's dial can look very dark in poor light. These are the reliable differences:
- Dial colour. The Hulk has a green sunray dial; the 126610LV and the older 16610LV have black dials.
- Six o'clock. On the 126610LV a small Rolex crown sits between “SWISS” and “MADE” at the bottom of the dial. The Hulk reads simply “SWISS MADE”.
- Case and lugs. The Hulk's 40mm case has broad, squarer lugs. The 41mm 126610LV has slimmer lugs that make it look more tapered on the wrist.
- Movement. The Hulk runs on calibre 3135 with a power reserve of around 48 hours; the 126610LV uses calibre 3235, with around 70 hours.
- Reference number. The reference is engraved on the case between the lugs at 12 o'clock and printed on the warranty card. It should read 116610LV.
If you are comparing two listings, ask for a photograph of the warranty card next to the watch. A seller who has handled the watch can provide that in minutes.
What to check before buying a pre-owned Rolex Hulk
A Hulk has been out of production long enough for a wide spread of condition, history and completeness. These are the points we look at first, and the ones worth raising with any seller.
- Originality. Ask whether the dial, hands, bezel insert and bracelet are original to the watch. A replacement dial or hands fitted during a service is not unusual, but it should be disclosed and the original parts ideally kept.
- The dial. Look for even colour across the whole dial, sharp printing and lume plots that glow evenly in the dark. Marks on the dial are much harder to put right than marks on the case.
- The bezel. Ceramic resists scratches but can chip after a hard knock, usually at the edge. The bezel should turn anti-clockwise only, with firm, even clicks, and the green of the insert should sit comfortably with the green of the dial.
- The bracelet. Check for stretch between the links, and test that the clasp closes firmly and the Glidelock slides and locks properly.
- The case. The Hulk's wide lugs show polishing clearly. Crisp edges and a clean line between brushed and polished surfaces suggest light work; rounded, soft edges suggest heavy polishing.
- Papers. The serial and reference on the warranty card must match the watch exactly. Papers on their own prove nothing; numbers that agree with the watch, checked by someone who knows what to look for, do.
- Service history. Ask when the watch was last serviced, by whom, and whether there is paperwork. A Rolex Hulk from the early 2010s may well be due one.
Is a Hulk still under Rolex's guarantee?
Rolex watches sold new since July 2015 carry a five-year international guarantee from the date on the warranty card. Because the Hulk was discontinued in 2020, most are now outside that period, so the warranty the seller gives you matters more.
Every pre-owned watch we sell comes with our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise, and every listing states whether the box and papers are included. Our guide to buying a pre-owned Rolex goes through the wider checklist.
What affects the value of a Rolex Hulk
We do not quote figures on this page, because the market moves and every watch is different. What we can tell you is which factors move the price of a Hulk up or down, so you can compare listings sensibly.
Completeness. A full set, with the box, warranty card, booklets, swing tags and every spare link, is the version most buyers want. Read our guide to box and papers for why this matters.
Condition and polishing. An unpolished case with honest light wear is usually worth more than a heavily polished one that looks shinier but has lost its shape. Sharp lugs are hard to fake.
Originality. Aftermarket parts, replacement bezel inserts that do not match and non-original bracelets all reduce value. A watch with its original parts and a clear history is easier to buy and easier to sell later.
Service history and running. A recent service with paperwork counts in a watch's favour. A Hulk that is overdue is not a problem in itself, but the cost of a service should be reflected in the price you pay.
How the Hulk compares with other Rolex sports watches
If you are drawn to the Rolex Hulk, you are probably choosing between a few strong-coloured Rolex sports models. Each has a different character on the wrist.
The Starbucks (126610LV). The current green-bezel Submariner Date. It is a little larger at 41mm, has the newer movement with a longer power reserve, and its black dial makes the green bezel the only colour on the watch. If you want a green Submariner that may still be within Rolex's guarantee, it is the obvious alternative. See Rolex Starbucks.
The Bluesy. The two-tone Submariner Date in steel and yellow gold with a blue dial and blue bezel. It is dressier and warmer than the Hulk, and wears very differently on a shirt cuff. See Rolex Bluesy.
The Batman and the Sprite. Both are GMT-Master II models with two-colour 24-hour bezels: blue and black for the Batman, green and black with a left-hand crown for the Sprite. They suit travellers who want a second time zone rather than a dive bezel.
The Rolex Hulk's strength is that it is the most single-minded of the group. It is a tool watch in steel, but the colour gives it a presence that the black Submariner does not have, and for many owners that combination is the whole point.
Owning and servicing a Rolex Hulk
The Hulk is built to be worn. Screw the crown down fully after setting the time or date, rinse the watch in fresh water after swimming in the sea, and keep it away from strong magnets such as speakers and phone cases with magnetic clasps.
Have the watch serviced when it needs it: if it starts gaining or losing time noticeably, the power reserve drops, or it has not been looked at for many years. Our sister business, Alpha Group, is in the same building and carries out watch servicing, repairs and restoration. Keep any service paperwork with the box and papers, because a documented history adds to the appeal of a Rolex Hulk when the time comes to sell.
Selling your Rolex Hulk?
We buy the Rolex Hulk outright for our own stock. There is no consignment and no commission, so the price we agree is the price you receive. Send us photographs over WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation, or bring the watch to Hatton Garden by appointment with its box, papers and any spare links, as a complete set is valued higher.
- Tell us about the watch. The reference, the year on the card and what comes with it.
- Get a free valuation. No obligation, whether you sell to us or not.
- Visit or send it in. If you cannot come in, we pay for fully insured postage or collection.
- Paid within 24 hours. Once we agree a price and authenticate the watch in person, we pay you by secure bank transfer within 24 hours.
You can also part exchange your Hulk towards another watch, with any difference paid to you if yours is worth more. For more detail, see sell your Rolex Submariner or our main sell your Rolex page.
Get a valuation for your Rolex Hulk
Viewing a Rolex Hulk in Hatton Garden
Green dials are notoriously hard to photograph, so seeing a Hulk in person is worth the trip if you can make it. Our Hatton Garden showroom is at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations. All viewings are by appointment, so the visit is private and uninterrupted, and you can look at the watch under natural light as well as indoors.
We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and on Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. If you need time to arrange a visit, a £100 deposit reserves a watch for 3 working days. If you are buying at a distance, UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for, you have 14 days to return the watch for a full refund, and Klarna finance is available at checkout.
- Inspected and authenticatedEvery watch is checked by experienced specialists, with serial numbers and components verified before it is offered.
- 12-month warrantyPre-owned pieces carry a 12-month warranty against movement defects. Unworn watches carry the manufacturer's own cover.
- Fully insured deliveryFree, fully insured and signed-for delivery across the UK.
- 14-day returnsFourteen days to change your mind from the day your watch arrives. We cover the return postage.
Rolex Hulk: frequently asked questions
What reference is the Rolex Hulk?
The Rolex Hulk is the Submariner Date 116610LV, in Oystersteel with a green dial and a green Cerachrom bezel insert. No other reference carries the nickname.
When was the Rolex Hulk discontinued?
In 2020, when Rolex introduced the new 41mm Submariner range. The green-bezel successor, the 126610LV, has a black dial and is nicknamed the Starbucks.
Is the Rolex Hulk the same as the Kermit?
No. The Kermit is the earlier 16610LV, made from 2003 to 2010, with a black dial and a green aluminium bezel insert. The Hulk replaced it with a green dial and a ceramic bezel.
Why does my Hulk's dial look black in photos?
The sunray finish reflects light in different directions, so in shade or low light the green darkens considerably. It is normal. In direct daylight the dial shows its full colour.
Should I buy a Rolex Hulk without papers?
It can be a sensible choice if the watch has been properly authenticated and is in the condition described. A full set is reassuring and generally holds its value better, which is reflected in the price. Every listing on our site states whether the box and papers are included.
Do you sell the Rolex Hulk with a warranty?
Yes. Our pre-owned watches come with a 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. Every watch is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists before it is offered for sale.
Can you find a Rolex Hulk for me?
Yes. We source specific watches for clients on request. Tell us your preferences on year, condition and box and papers, and we will let you know what we can find.
Rolex Submariner in stock now
The current green-bezel Submariner is shown on the official Rolex Submariner Date 126610LV page, which is useful for comparing it side by side with a Rolex Hulk.
Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
