You may have already heard of watches with names that do not belong to them, often due to a color combination that refers to something that is part of our daily lives.
Why do you think there is this need, especially when it comes to Rolexes, to juxtapose a particular model, to give an example, with a superhero? Is it for reasons of resaleability? To increase the desirability and popularity of the model? Or is it just a way to make it clear more quickly what watch is being talked about?
But the real question we want to ask is: How many of these nicknames do you know?
Today, we at Italian Watch Spotter present a list of the most popular models whose names are driving the market crazy, both in terms of availability and price.
Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi”
Perhaps the most famous, probably among the first to be baptized with a name that does not actually belong to him.
We can call “Pepsi” all Rolex GMT Masters that feature a red and blue colored bezel insert. Of course, the combination with the name came about as a result of the obvious color similarity between the logo of the famous U.S. beverage and the bezel insert itself.
Several references have been fitted with this type of insert. They begin with the 6542, the first GMT Master developed by Rolex in collaboration with Pan-Am in the mid-1950s, about which you can find a valuable discussion on our website.
One special feature for which we happily remember this 1950s gem is its middle name “Pussy Galore,” derived from the Bond girl who wore it in the 007 film “Goldfinger.”
Today, Rolex still has a Pepsi in its catalog. It is the GMT Master II reference 126710BLRO presented in a super jubilee version at Baselworld 2018. (You can see it in the first photo above, above the “Pussy Galore”.
The list price of this modern GMT is 10,800.00 USD but we find it on the market at prices around 20,000 USD. For prices and trivia related to older references instead, we invite you to read our guide on the history of the GMT Master.
GMT Master II “Batman”
Staying with the Rolex GMT Master theme, here is a second color variant of the model, this time with a black and blue bezel insert: the “Batman.” The connection with the DC Comics superhero, who sported his distinctive black and blue costume in all his endeavors, is clear.
It is curious to point out that this color variant has always been in the background compared to the aforementioned “Pepsi” but, following its exit from production (we are talking about the old ref. 116710BLNR), its value has significantly increased. We can find it on the market for a price of approximately 14,000 EUR -15,000 USD.
At Baselworld 2019, Rolex presents its heir also in a super jubilee version: the ref. 126710BLNR. As expected, the market price differs greatly from the list price which is 10,800 USD. We can find it on the secondary market at around 16,000 USD.
GMT Master II “Coke”
Perhaps the least appreciated of the “colored” GMT series, but still deserving of a nickname, it experienced a distinct resurgence just in 2024 when rumors began of its possible return, following a patent filed by Rolex. Expectations that were later denied, ending with the entry of a Coke into the Tudor Maison instead of Rolex.
It is a variant of Pepsi that features a red and black ring insert. The name derives from the chromatic similarity with the logo of another carbonated soft drink giant, Coca-Cola.
Unlike the previous ones, the “Coke” is only available in the version with aluminum insert and can be found on the market at a price of around 10,000 USD
This configuration was also the first to appear on the GMT-Master II series, born in 1983, which, in addition to that of the drink, also takes the name of “Fat Lady“, due to its new thicker case with a thicker bezel and crown. large. Needless to say, we are talking about “Fat Lady”, obviously, only if with a “Coke” ring insert.
Rolex GMT Master II “Eye of the Tiger”
Probably the most beautiful GMT in steel-gold version. We are talking about the Rolex GMT Master ref.16713, commonly called “Tiger’s Eye”, or also Rootbeer. The first name derives from its chromatic composition, which recalls that of a precious stone called Tiger’s Eye. Rootbeer, on the other hand, takes the color of root beer, a drink widely consumed in the United States, with a characteristic brown tone. The 16713 turns out to be one of the most sought-after vintage GMTs on the market, with a reseller price in the order of 12,000 USD, which does not surprise us at all.
Rolex GMT Master II “Rootbeer”
The nickname Rootbeer came back into fashion in 2018 when the Maison launched the ref. 126711CHNR, a version with a ceramic bezel with steel and Everose gold case and bracelet, that currently has a list price of 16,150.00 USD.
Rolex Submariner “Sprite” or “Left-Handed”
As you may have understood, the collection with the most nicknames is certainly the GMT Master II. In 2022 Rolex introduced a very unusual model with reference 126720vtnr which caused quite a stir among collectors. The peculiar characteristic lies in the fact that the movement is rotated 180° and the watch is designed to be worn on the right wrist by left-handed collectors.
Although the name “Left-handed” had been used since the beginning, obviously we enthusiasts felt the need to give it an even more iconic and colorful nickname. Hence the use of “Sprite”, due to the similarity to the main colors of the drink of the same name, characterized by a very bright green.
The watch is currently sold by Rolex at 11,250.00 USD and has an important premium on the market where it reaches 18,000 USD to 23,000 USD.
Rolex GMT Master II “Bruce Wayne” or “Fantasmino”
On the occasion of Watches and Wonders 2024, after the rumors of a possible new “Coke”, Rolex surprised everyone by presenting a new version of the GMT Master II characterized by black and gray colors, with reference 126710GRNR
Even in this case, the nicknames are not long in coming. Honestly, we still haven’t figured out where the nickname “Bruce Wayn” comes from but we will update the article as soon as we can shed some light on this decision. On the other hand, the nickname “Fantasmino” – that in Italian literally means “little ghost” – is a clear reference to the Rolex ghost bezels, which, as they fade, end up having a color similar to the gray of the new bezel.
Rolex Submariner “Hulk”
Continuing in the wake of superheroes, this time from Marvel Comics, we meet one of the most popular Submariners ever: the famous “Hulk“.
It is not difficult to understand where this nickname comes from, as the model is characterized by a green dial and ceramic bezel. The Rolex Submariner ref. 116610LV “Hulk” was discontinued in 2020 and shortly thereafter replaced by the reference 126610LV. Its reseller price is significantly affected, and is in the order of 16,000 USD – 18,000 USD.
Rolex Submariner Starbucks
The reference 116610LV “Hulk”, as we said, was soon replaced by the ref. 126610LV. Obviously, this model was also immediately marked with a nickname. The reference is in fact called Starbucks, due to the combination of the colors – soft black and green – which undoubtedly recalls the logo of the iconic American coffee shop chain.
Rolex Submariner “Anniversario”
This particular reference was presented and marketed in 2003 with the declared intention of celebrating 50 years since the birth of the Submariner, introduced in 1953.
However, two versions of this Submariner ref stand out. 16610LV, which we report below, both with two features in common, namely enlarged hour markers and minute hand, as in the Yachtmaster.
“Fat Four”
It is the first version, known to most for the number 4 on the ring, different from the subsequent version. Fat four, as you can see, is precisely because of the number, the tip of which seems cut or crushed, compared to that of the successor.
Other references can be found in the characters on the bezel, in the writing “Swiss Made” and in the absence of the RRR, which is the ring above the dial with the repeated Rolex writing.
“Kermit”
Younger brother of the “Fat four”, it is the subsequent version, marketed approximately from the second half of 2004. It features the modern RRR ring, larger writing on the bezel, stronger graphics on the dial and a “Swiss Made” writing with a different arrangement compared to the Submariner “Fat four”. The jokey name “Kermit” comes from the frog “Kermit the frog”, a Muppet character, protagonist of numerous memes on the web and designed by Jim Henson.
However, keep in mind that, for both the “Kermit” and the “Fat four” we can still talk about the Submariner “Anniversario“, a name dictated solely by the ref. 16610LV.
Although the similarity is great, the prices for these watches are quite different. The “simple” “Kermit” is around 13,000 USD, while the “Fat four” is almost impossible to find under 17,000 USD. The variability of the prices of each of the two obviously depends on the conditions and the kit.
Rolex Submariner “Smurf”
Among the least seen on the wrists of enthusiasts, perhaps due to its past price list of 34,400 USD, perhaps due to the very limited market. We are talking about the Rolex Submariner ref. 116619LB called “Smurf” due to the ceramic dial and bezel, both blue in colour.
It appears to be the only Submariner present in the Rolex catalogs to have a bracelet and case entirely made of white gold. Now out of production, it can only be found from dealers at a price of around USD 34,000.
Rolex Sea-Dweller “Polipetto”
The name “Polipetto” is easily understandable by looking at the dial, which shows the badge of the Diver Unit, namely an octopus.
Rolex “Padellone”
Surely most people know Rolex for its most famous watches, usually divers, chronographs or timepieces with the date. The ref. 8171 however has something more than a simple window for the day…
In fact, it is the first truly complicated watch from Rolex, produced for just 4 years, between 1948 and 1952, with an oversized case (38mm) hence the nickname “Padellone“. It features an automatic movement – which is surprising for an annual calendar – and was produced in a thousand examples, mainly in yellow gold and steel, making rose gold rarer. The only name Perpetual present on the case is given by the fact that it does not use the Oyster case. It is therefore not a Bubbleback, even if it has a dome on the center of the case back.
The Rolex 8171 is certainly among the most appreciated by enthusiasts, given its almost perfect size, historical period and complication. For this reason the best examples are often sold at auctions, with five-figure figures, reaching almost a million for some pieces.
Rolex “Stelline”
While in 1952 the boxer Rocky Marciano won the world champion title and became a sports star, in Geneva there were many other stars on which Rolex focused. With the introduction of the reference 6062, Rolex, always looking for simple and innovative solutions, decided to go against the trend by creating one of the most complicated watches in its history, very different from the previous ref. 8171.
Housed in a 36 mm Oyster case with a twinlock crown (therefore waterproof), there was an A260 caliber capable of regulating an annual calendar with date, month and day, simultaneously with a moon phase calendar. Yet it wasn’t so much this extraordinary complication that amazed collectors and made them fall in love even today, but rather the curious star shape of the hour markers, which immediately earned it the nickname “Stelline” – which in italian means “little stars” . And its price is also stellar, with auction estimates always between 1 and 2 million USD.
Rolex “Bubbleback”, “Ovetto” and “Ovettone”
Whether we talk about “Ovetto” or “Ovettone“, we are always referring to the Rolex Bubbleback, which can be translated into Italian as “domed caseback“, from which both take their name. The Bubbleback was the first Rolex watch, presented in 1933, to be truly underwater (“diver”), and not just water resistant.
However, its fortune does not lie solely in this: in 1931 the maison patented the first Oyster Perpetual movement. It’s a big leap in quality for a brand that today is almost synonymous with “Oyster Perpetual“. The first timepiece to mount the aforementioned movement was the “Ovetto”, whose convex caseback serves precisely to leave room for the rotor.
Let’s now move on to the distinction between Ovetto and Ovettone. The first has a 32mm case and is the older of the two, available in different configurations between seconds at 6 o’clock or central seconds, with or without radio, case in yellow, pink or steel gold and many other features, which vary from reference to reference reference and from model to model.
The Ovettone, on the other hand, came later, introduced in 1945, and would pave the way for the Datejust, the iconic Rolex model. (Some will in fact already have the writing “Datejust on the dial). This watch, whose case becomes 36mm, will have the date already from the first reference 4467 – although there are Ovettoni without a date – becoming a very different watch from the Ovetto, with which it only has the shape of the caseback in common.
The prices of these models are the most variable there is, starting from a minimum of just over 2,000 USD to reach above 30,000 USD. The variability depends above all on conservation, coevalness, equipment and dial.
Rolex Texano
One of the strangest and rarest Rolex watches ever, with estimates of 1000 examples in yellow gold and just 100 in white gold. Animated by the Beta21 movement, developed by a consortium of 20 Swiss brands (including Rolex) with the aim of responding to the Japanese quartz crisis, the ref. 5100 had a very short life between 1970 and 1972. With a clearly 1970s design, its angular line in heavy solid gold immediately reminded collectors of the rough and excessive character of a rich Texan oil magnate, thus defining the nickname he.
If you are looking for the perfect watch to match your cowboy hat and boots, you can get a yellow gold example for between USD 27,000 and USSD 30,000, but if you prefer a very rare white gold Texan, the prices are consistently above USD 100,000.
Due to the importance of this watch, we have dedicated an entire article to it: The History of the Rolex 5100 Texano.
Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”
The King of Rolex Daytona, born with the reference 6239, is today the flagship of any vintage collection that wants to be talked about.
The name obviously comes from the actor Paul Newman, who used to wear it especially in the car. We can find it in different configurations and at different prices, but we will see all this in a future episode…
As far as Daytona Vintages go there really is a way. If you want to learn more about the Daytonas, here’s our Guide to the Daytonas.
Rolex Explorer II “Steve McQueen” a.k.a. “Freccione”
It’s once again the turn of an actor, but not only, for this Rolex Explorer II. For any enthusiast it is impossible to confuse the Explorer II, with its typical colored arrow-shaped hand, which has now become iconic enough to give the model a nickname.
From 1971 onwards, the Rolex Explorer II ref.1655 went down in history as the “Freccione“, and then became “Steve McQueen“, after the famous actor. The most significant peculiarity of this nickname, however, lies in the fact that Steve McQueen has never been seen with a watch on his wrist, but we have several photos that portray him with a Submariner.
For those wondering, the Rolex Explorer II has a very simple complication. Alongside the common time, with hours, minutes and seconds, the orange hand – indicated as red on the first advertisements of the time – marks the time of day in 24 hours, so as to understand whether it is day or night in any situation.
Quotations in today’s market are hovering above USD 20,000 and USD 24,000.
Final Thoughts
Although the link between watches, comics and carbonated drinks is not as well marked in history as that with the actors, the names we have presented to you are a practical demonstration of how watchmaking is intertwined with daily life not only with its use and role . And going forward, we will see new nicknames emerge that will reflect both the history and pop culture of the time.
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