All about the story of the Rolex Submariner "Hulk"

Among the many brands that are part of the luxury watch industry, there is one that stands out from the rest, no I am not talking about Audemars Piguet, Panerai or OMEGA but Rolex. Since its creation, the brand with the crown has always innovated and proposed sublime models. Whether through a GMT Master, a Day Date or a Sea-Dweller, all enthusiasts know or own a Rolex. But there are watches that have had a stronger impact for Rolex, the Daytona Chronograph could mark the history of Rolex but another model could mark the minds, the Submariner.

Three Rolex Submariners side by side: the 16610LV Kermit, the 116610LV Hulk and the 126610LV Starbucks.

In the history of the Submariner, we could talk about each reference of the collection because this range includes many different models both in terms of colors and materials.

However, for collectors, some models are more famous. Among the watches with this great reputation, we will talk about the Rolex Submariner "Hulk". Submariners have always fascinated collectors, but the Rolex Submariner Hulk has marked the history of Rolex and watchmaking in general.

Submariner, the beginning of a legend

But before going into the details of this exceptional model, let's go back to the origins that led Rolex to innovate by changing the color of its bezel by adding a shade of green.

The history of the Rolex Submariner begins in 1953, the origin of the most famous Rolex diving watch is a challenge from one of the employees of the time, Rene Paul Jeanneret, the objective was to create a watch that was perfectly waterproof and could be worn daily.

More than 70 years later, the challenge seems to have been successful since the Submariner, first waterproof up to 100m and then, over the years and through evolutions, waterproof up to 300m today, is a reference as a diver present on the wrist of thousands of enthusiasts. Rolex has always wanted to create the ultimate diver's watch and with the Submariner, which can be worn as a dress watch thanks to its sleek and classy design, as well as over a wetsuit, we can say that it has succeeded.

Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV with green dial and bezel on a teal rubber strap.

Rolex Submariner Hulk with green dial and green ceramic bezel on its steel Oyster bracelet.

During the early years of the Submariner, multiple technical evolutions have increased the precision and the level of resistance to depth. From 1953 to 2003, Rolex was able to evolve its diver, constantly improving the accuracy and design of its watches, but the Submariner was missing one thing.

Indeed, if you wanted to own a Submariner with color, you could choose one of the two-tone or solid gold versions but only the blue version in white gold was available.

If you wanted to buy an all steel version, you were limited to a black bezel on a black dial. The famous Rolex green was not available for purchase. This frustration ended on the 50th anniversary of the Submariner, Rolex unveiled a new Submariner reference in 2003 that surprised the community.

The introduction of Rolex green

The Rolex Submariner bearing reference 16610LV presented to the public was equipped with a bright green aluminum bezel, a color never seen on dive watches in the Submariner collection. This reference was named "Kermit" by enthusiasts. During the years of production of the Rolex Submariner "Kermit", several small adjustments were made to adjust its design, adding a "RolexRolexRolex" engraving on the inside of the dial and a change in the font of the number 4, which gave this watch a new nickname (Kermit "Flat 4").

This watch was produced for 7 years before being replaced by the famous Rolex Submariner "Hulk".

Rolex Submariner 16610LV Kermit with black dial and green aluminium bezel on an Oyster bracelet.

Hulk, a nickname synonymous with resistance

Rolex Submariner Hulk with green dial and bezel on a black ZEALANDE rubber strap, worn on the wrist.

The famous Submariner "Hulk" was a real revolution in the world of Rolex and the Submariner. First of all, like the previous reference, the Rolex Hulk had a green bezel, but the changes did not stop there. In addition to perpetuating the green bezel, Rolex chose this time to equip its diver with a matching green dial. For the first time in its history, the Submariner was available with a green dial and bezel symbolizing the brand with the crown. We then witness the birth of the reference 116610LV, better known as the Rolex Submariner Hulk.

We find a Submariner date with a case of 40mm diameter, its movement is the caliber 3135 of the house Rolex associated with the spiral Parachrom Blue, it has a power reserve of 48 hours and a strong resistance to magnetic fields.

Always made with the best Rolex steel, the 904L steel, it has a scratchproof sapphire crystal lined with a Cyclops crystal at 3 o'clock for the date and a unidirectional bezel graduated over 60 minutes. Its clasp is a Rolex Glidelock mounted on an Oyster strap, also in 904L steel to ensure a perfect finish.

Rolex has also chosen to make its watch benefit from the improvements developed for the other ranges.

Rolex Submariner Hulk with green dial and bezel on a white ZEALANDE rubber strap, worn on the wrist.

Thus, we find the famous Rolex ceramic bezel (the cerachrome), released in 2005 on GMT-Master II models and only in black, the cerachrome has been adapted since then in many colors to match the different watches available in the catalog of the brand.

The end of the Rolex Hulk

Rolex Submariner 126610LV Starbucks with black dial and green ceramic bezel on an Oyster bracelet.

In 2020, Rolex announces the end of the reference 116610LV to make way for its replacement, the 126610LV, this new model announces the birth of the Rolex "Starbucks". The difference with the Hulk lies in the color of its dial, again black on the Starbucks; the watch is also larger with a diameter of 41mm and thinner lugs. The abandonment of the green dial disappointed many fans and resulted in the price of the rolex Submariner Hulk exploding on the second hand market, making it double its price compared to when the watch was released.

The price of a Rolex Submariner 116610LV

When the watch was produced by Rolex, between 2010 and 2020, its used price was between $15,000 and $17,000. But since Rolex's 2020 announcements, the price of a Rolex 116610LV in good condition ranges from $20,000 to $26,000 (source late 2022). Since the price is defined by the condition of the watch and the packaging, a Rolex Hulk Full set will be worth more than one without the original papers and box.

Because the price of a watch reflects its level of rarity, the Hulk is a watch that is more likely to increase in value than to decrease.

The Rolex Submariner Hulk has made history for Rolex since its release and has become a must-have model for all watch collectors.

At ZEALANDE, we are proud to offer a fantastic rubber strap to enhance it and give it a new, sportier, more personalized look, allowing you to wear your watch without risking damage to its Oyster strap.