In short
- The Rolex Starbucks is the Submariner Date 126610LV: black dial, green ceramic bezel, 41mm steel case, launched in 2020.
- Some collectors call it the “Cermit”, short for ceramic Kermit.
- The original Rolex Kermit is the 16610LV, made from 2003 to 2010, with a green aluminium bezel insert.
- The green-dial Hulk, the 116610LV, sat between the two.
- We buy and sell all three, with private viewings by appointment in Hatton Garden.
The Rolex Starbucks is the nickname for the Submariner Date reference 126610LV, the black-dial dive watch with a green Cerachrom bezel that Rolex introduced in 2020. Its green and black colours are the reason for the name. Because it brought back the look of the original green-bezel Submariner, the 16610LV Rolex Kermit, some people prefer to call it the “Cermit”. This page explains both watches, how to tell them apart from each other and from the Hulk, and what to look for when you buy or sell one.
What is the Rolex Starbucks?
Rolex's own name for the watch is the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, reference 126610LV. It belongs to the generation of Submariners launched in September 2020, which grew the case from 40mm to 41mm and introduced the calibre 3235 movement across the date models. The “LV” in the reference stands for lunette verte, French for green bezel.
What makes the Rolex Starbucks distinctive is restraint. The dial is a plain, glossy black with Chromalight luminous markers, so the green ceramic bezel is the only colour on the watch. Rolex coats the numerals and graduations on that bezel in platinum, which gives them a slightly cool, bright finish against the green. The result is easier to wear with everything than the all-green Hulk it replaced, while still standing out from the black Submariner.
Mechanically it is a modern Rolex in every respect. Calibre 3235 has a power reserve of around 70 hours, so a Rolex Starbucks taken off on Friday evening will still be running on Monday morning. It carries Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification, and the case is water resistant to 300 metres with a screw-down Triplock crown.
Starbucks, Cermit or Kermit: sorting out the names
Nicknames for green Submariners overlap, and it is easy to get them confused when you are reading listings or forum threads.
- Kermit. The 16610LV from 2003. Black dial, green aluminium bezel insert. The name comes from the Muppet, and it was the first Submariner with a green bezel.
- Hulk. The 116610LV from 2010. Green dial and green ceramic bezel. See our page on the Rolex Hulk.
- Starbucks. The 126610LV from 2020. Black dial, green ceramic bezel, 41mm case. The most common name for the current model.
- Cermit. Another name for the same 126610LV, combining “ceramic” and “Kermit” to show that it revives the Kermit's colour scheme with a ceramic bezel.
None of these names is used by Rolex. The reference number is what identifies the watch, so whatever a listing calls it, check that the reference on the case and the card is the one you expect.
The original Rolex Kermit: Submariner Date 16610LV
Rolex introduced the 16610LV in 2003, fifty years after the first Submariner appeared, and the green bezel was a deliberate anniversary touch. It was otherwise a close relative of the black 16610: a 40mm steel case with slimmer, older-style lugs, the calibre 3135 movement, a sapphire crystal and 300 metres of water resistance. The dial used larger luminous hour markers than the standard black Submariner of the time, which collectors often call a “maxi” dial.
The Rolex Kermit's bezel insert is aluminium rather than ceramic. Aluminium has a softer, matte look with printed numerals, and over the years it can pick up scratches and change shade. Collectors pay close attention to the insert, because a faded or worn original is often preferred to a bright replacement fitted later. Small variations in dial and bezel printing exist across the production run, and the most particular buyers study them closely.
Production ended in 2010, when the green-dial Hulk replaced it. That gives the Rolex Kermit a production run of only about seven years, which is one reason it has a following of its own and is not simply seen as an older Starbucks.
Rolex Starbucks specifications, compared
| Detail | 16610LV “Kermit” | 116610LV “Hulk” | 126610LV “Starbucks” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | 2003 to 2010 | 2010 to 2020 | 2020 onwards |
| Case | 40mm, slimmer lugs | 40mm, broad lugs | 41mm, slimmer lugs |
| Dial | Black | Green sunray | Black |
| Bezel insert | Green aluminium | Green ceramic | Green ceramic, platinum-coated numerals |
| Movement | Calibre 3135 | Calibre 3135 | Calibre 3235, around 70 hours |
| Clasp | Folding clasp with diving extension | Oysterlock with Glidelock | Oysterlock with Glidelock |
The table shows why the three watches feel so different despite sharing a colour. The Rolex Starbucks is the most modern and the most comfortable to adjust on the wrist, the Hulk is the boldest, and the Kermit has the slimmer proportions and aluminium bezel of an older Submariner.
How to tell a Rolex Starbucks from a Kermit or a Hulk
Online photographs make these watches harder to separate than they are in person. These are the checks that settle it:
- Dial colour. A green dial means a Hulk. The Starbucks and the Kermit both have black dials.
- Bezel finish. Ceramic is glossy, with engraved numerals. Aluminium is matte, with printed numerals. Tilt the watch in the light and the difference is obvious.
- Six o'clock on the dial. The Rolex Starbucks has a small Rolex crown between “SWISS” and “MADE”. The Kermit and the Hulk do not.
- Case shape. The 41mm Starbucks has a more tapered look from above than the broad-lugged Hulk.
- Reference number. Engraved between the lugs at 12 o'clock and printed on the warranty card: 16610LV, 116610LV or 126610LV.
Buying a pre-owned Rolex Starbucks: what to check
The 126610LV is recent enough that many examples on the market are in very good condition. That makes the details more important, not less, because small differences in completeness and history separate one watch from the next.
- Guarantee. Look at the date on the warranty card. A Rolex Starbucks sold new within the last five years may still be covered by Rolex's international guarantee.
- Bezel. Check the edge of the ceramic insert for chips and make sure the bezel turns anti-clockwise only, with crisp, even clicks.
- Case and polishing. Look for sharp lug edges and a clear line between brushed and polished surfaces. A newer watch that has already been polished has lost some of its appeal.
- Bracelet and clasp. Check that the Glidelock slides and locks properly and that every spare link removed at sizing is included.
- Papers. The serial and reference on the card must match the watch exactly, and the card should show the date of first sale.
- Originality. Ask whether anything has been changed or added since the watch left Rolex, including aftermarket bezels, dials or bracelets.
Our guide to buying a pre-owned Rolex goes through these checks in more depth, and every listing on our site states whether the box and papers are included.
Buying a Rolex Kermit: what to check
A Kermit is now an older watch, so the questions shift towards originality and history.
- The insert. Ask whether the green aluminium insert is original. Replacement inserts are common after servicing, and collectors value an honest original more highly.
- The dial and hands. Some watches received replacement dials or hands during a service. That is not a fault, but it should be disclosed, and the original parts kept if possible.
- The bracelet. An older Oyster bracelet may have stretched. Look for sagging between the links and check the clasp closes firmly.
- Service history. Ask when the movement was last serviced and whether there is paperwork. Our sister business, Alpha Group, in the same building, carries out servicing, repairs and restoration.
- Papers. Depending on its year, a Kermit may come with a paper certificate or a plastic warranty card. Either way, the numbers must match the watch.
Our warranty
Every pre-owned watch we sell comes with our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. Where a watch is still within Rolex's guarantee, Rolex's terms apply.
What affects the value of a Rolex Starbucks or Kermit
We do not publish figures here, because the market moves and every watch is different, but the same factors come up every time we value one.
Completeness. Box, warranty card, booklets and spare links all count. A full set is what most buyers look for in a Rolex Starbucks, and a Kermit with its original papers is noticeably easier to sell. Our guide to box and papers explains why.
Condition. Honest light wear on an unpolished case is preferable to a heavily polished one. On a recent watch, buyers expect sharp edges.
Originality. On a Kermit especially, the original bezel insert, dial and hands make a real difference. On a Starbucks, aftermarket modifications of any kind reduce value.
Remaining guarantee. On a Rolex Starbucks, time left on Rolex's guarantee is reassuring for the next owner and is often reflected in what buyers will pay.
Starbucks, Hulk or black Submariner: which to choose
Most buyers looking at a Rolex Starbucks are also considering one or two of these:
The Hulk. If you want the most colour, the green-dial Hulk is the stronger statement. It is discontinued, smaller at 40mm, and uses the older calibre 3135.
The black Submariner Date. The 126610LN is the same watch in black and black. It is the more discreet choice, and the one to pick if you want a Submariner that disappears under a cuff.
The Sprite. The GMT-Master II 126720VTNR has a green and black 24-hour bezel and a left-hand crown. If you travel often, the second time zone may matter more than a dive bezel. See Rolex Sprite.
The Bluesy. If you like the idea of a coloured Submariner but want something warmer, the two-tone Rolex Bluesy pairs a blue dial and bezel with steel and yellow gold.
The case for the Rolex Starbucks is balance: a recognisable colour, the latest movement, and a design that works as an everyday watch for years.
Living with a Rolex Starbucks
The 126610LV is an easy watch to own. The ceramic bezel shrugs off the knocks and scratches that mark an aluminium insert, and the Glidelock clasp lets you add a little length on a hot day without taking off a link. Make sure the crown is screwed down fully after you set 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 magnetic phone cases.
The long power reserve means a Rolex Starbucks copes well with being worn a few days a week rather than every day. When it eventually needs a service, or if it starts to gain or lose time noticeably, our sister business Alpha Group, in the same building, can look after it. Keep the paperwork with your box and card, because a documented history helps whenever you sell.
Selling your Rolex Starbucks or Kermit?
We buy green-bezel Submariners outright for our own stock, including the Starbucks, the Kermit and the Hulk. There is no consignment and no commission, so the price we agree is the price you receive. For a quick initial figure, send photographs of the watch and the card over WhatsApp on +44 (0)7888 888835.
- Send the details. Reference, year and what comes with the watch.
- Free valuation. No obligation, and we explain how we reached the figure.
- Bring it in or send it. Visit Hatton Garden by appointment, or send the watch to us; we pay for fully insured postage or collection.
- Paid within 24 hours. Once the price is agreed and the watch is authenticated in person, we pay by secure bank transfer within 24 hours.
Bring the box, papers and any spare links, as a complete set is valued higher. You can also part exchange towards another watch. More detail is on our sell your Rolex Submariner and sell your Rolex pages.
See a Rolex Starbucks in Hatton Garden
Green ceramic changes with the light, so the bezel is well worth seeing in person. Our Hatton Garden showroom is at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations, in the heart of London's jewellery quarter. Viewings are by appointment only, so you have the room and the watch to yourself.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 12:00pm to 4:30pm. A £100 deposit holds a watch for 3 working days while you plan your visit. If you prefer to buy at a distance, UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for, there is a 14-day return period, and Klarna finance is offered 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 Starbucks and Kermit: common questions
Why is it called the Rolex Starbucks?
Because of its green and black colours, which collectors linked to the coffee chain's branding. The nickname comes from collectors, not from Rolex.
Is the Rolex Starbucks the same as the Kermit?
No. The Kermit is the 16610LV from 2003 to 2010, with an aluminium bezel insert and a 40mm case. The Starbucks is the 126610LV from 2020, with a ceramic bezel, a 41mm case and calibre 3235.
What is a Cermit?
Another nickname for the 126610LV. It combines “ceramic” and “Kermit”, because the watch brings back the Kermit's black dial and green bezel in ceramic.
Is the Rolex Starbucks still in production?
The 126610LV is shown in the Submariner collection on rolex.com at the time of writing. Rolex does not announce discontinuations in advance, so check the official site for the current line-up.
Which is bigger, the Starbucks or the Hulk?
The Starbucks is 41mm and the Hulk is 40mm. On the wrist the difference is smaller than the numbers suggest, because the Starbucks has slimmer lugs.
Can I sell a Rolex Kermit without box and papers?
Yes. Plenty of older Kermits have lost their papers over the years. We authenticate the watch in person, explain plainly how the missing items affect our offer, and give you a firm figure.
Do your green Submariners come with a warranty?
Yes. Pre-owned watches carry our 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 source a Rolex Starbucks for me?
Yes. We source specific watches for clients on request. Tell us the reference, your preferred year and whether you need box and papers, and we will report back.
Rolex Submariner in stock now
1 Rolex Submariner available now
Rolex's own specification for the current model is on the official Submariner Date 126610LV page, a useful reference when you compare a Rolex Starbucks listing with the factory details.
Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
