Rolex Hulk

It's ultra-modern, exceedingly elegant, and above all, unmistakably green: the Rolex Submariner "Hulk." The Submariner Date model with the Ref. 116610LV, nicknamed after the famous Marvel character, was unveiled to the public at Basel World 2010 and has since become one of the most popular Rolex luxury watches ever. The discontinuation of production of the Ref. 116610LV in 2020, which was replaced by the quite similar 126610LV, hasn't changed that—quite the opposite. We take a closer look at the hype surrounding the Rolex Hulk, present the coveted men's watch in detail, and also look at some luxury watches that could be considered alternatives to the green Rolex Submariner Date.

Why is the Rolex Hulk so popular?

The enormous popularity of the Submariner Hulk is likely the result of several factors. Firstly, it's a relatively new reference in the "Rolex Submariner family." The Hulk watches thus continue the impressive legacy of arguably the world's most famous diver's watch. Secondly, this special Rolex model impresses with its fresh, unusual design, which immediately catches the eye with its distinctive " Rolex green ."

In addition, the Hulk models impress with their outstanding quality, reliable caliber, and technical sophistication, as is typical of Submariner models. The Rolex name further contributes to the success of the 116610LV Hulk. The Swiss company has always stood for top-class luxury watches, and there are few collectors who don't dream of owning a luxury watch from the brand.

When Rolex announced that it would no longer produce the Ref. 116610LV starting in 2020, this further fueled demand for the green Rolex Submariner. A phenomenon that can be observed time and again in the watch world: The announcement of the discontinuation of a production model brings even more attention and makes watch fans even more eager to get their hands on it.

The Submariner as an icon in the Rolex family

To appreciate the true value of a Rolex Hulk, one must first delve into the history of the Rolex Submariner. The first watches in this legendary series—the "original Submariners," so to speak—came onto the market in 1954 and, with their initial water resistance of 100 meters, were considered true pioneers in the field of diving watches. The beginning of a success story that is unparalleled.

Over the following decades, the Submariner was repeatedly optimized and numerous improved references appeared, which not only withstood ever deeper dives, but also featured more powerful calibers and, in 1966, were finally equipped with the famous date display with a magnifying glass - the birth of the Submariner Date.

Today, the Rolex Submariner Date models are well-known to connoisseurs and collectors around the world, and it's virtually impossible to talk about Rolex without mentioning a Submariner reference at some point. The Submariner, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary, can therefore be safely called an untouched icon among Rolex watches.

The design of the Rolex Hulk

At first glance, it's certainly its design that sets the Submariner Hulk apart from the crowd of luxury timepieces. The bezel and dial of this iconic watch are finished in the signature "Rolex Green," lending the Oyster bracelet watches a certain visual extravagance. The color, which shimmers beautifully in the light, especially on the ceramic bezel, gives the watch its high recognition value and has earned it the nickname "Hulk."

But even beyond the striking green, reminiscent of its predecessor, nicknamed "Kermit," the Rolex Submariner Hulk has a lot to offer externally. For example, there are the well-shaped indices, which glow in the dark in typical Submariner fashion, and the delicate hands, which are also coated with luminous material. These cleverly integrated elements ensure excellent legibility of the stainless steel watch, even in difficult lighting conditions such as those found underwater. The bezel, made of Rolex Cerachrom ceramic, houses a high-quality sapphire crystal, which reveals the straightforward dial.

The newer Ref. 126610LV, which is considered the successor to the Hulk, differs visually from the 116610LV primarily in its dial. Instead of the Hulk green, this watch, affectionately known as the "Starbucks" among fans, has a simple black dial, while the green bezel remains unchanged.

The technical features

As befits a Rolex Submariner, the Hulk naturally also boasts "inner qualities" that make the watch stand out across the board. These stylish models are water-resistant to depths of 300 meters, successfully following in the footsteps of the world-famous Rolex Submariner diving watches.

The 40 mm stainless steel watch with a screw-down crown is powered by the proven Rolex automatic caliber 3135. This is an extremely precise movement with a 48-hour power reserve. The aforementioned two-digit date display is incorporated at the 3 o'clock position – a feature that is particularly characteristic of the Rolex Submariner Date and therefore also a must-have in the Hulk model.

How much does a Rolex Hulk cost?

One thing is clear: This diver's watch with a green dial and Cerachrom bezel, which investors prefer as an investment, isn't cheap. If you want to own a genuine Submariner Hulk, you have to be prepared to pay a fairly high price and go through the secondary market. Since production of the Ref. 116610LV Submariner Date watches was discontinued, these models are rarely available through official retailers.

The watch bearing the superhero name is still available on the secondary market, but the prices there far exceed the original listed price . Depending on their condition, the models change hands for an average of €18,000 – a hefty sum, however, that die-hard watch enthusiasts are happy to pay.

By the way: When purchasing on the secondary market , it's especially important to verify the authenticity of the timepieces on offer. Ideally, you should choose a model with the original box and papers. If in doubt, it's also advisable to seek expert advice when purchasing.

Alternatives to the Rolex Hulk

Green, green, green are all my watches—at least, that's true of the models we'd like to briefly introduce below. They all share some similarity with the Rolex Submariner Date "Hulk" and are especially interesting for watch enthusiasts looking for an alternative to the Rolex hit with the reference number 116610LV.

Other Submariner models

Of course, other Rolex models from the Submariner series are the most suitable. After all, the Rolex Submariner is now available in numerous attractive versions. How about, for example, the " Smurf " (in German "Smurf") with a blue bezel or the more understated all-black version? Logically, the aforementioned successor model, the "Starbucks," with the Ref. 126610LV, also comes naturally. However, it should be noted that all Rolex Submariner Date watches are quite popular, so you should always expect a waiting list and sometimes long wait times when purchasing through a dealer.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M

Omega also has a "Hulk": the Seamaster Aqua Terra with the reference number 220.10.41.21.10.001. This elegant diver's watch with a date window is water-resistant to 150 meters and offers a 60-hour power reserve. If you opt for this model, you'll have to forgo the flashy bezel. In return, you get an extra dose of elegance, which is perfectly emphasized by the dark green dial with its decorative grooved structure.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer

Another luxury watch that's reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner Hulk, and not just in its color scheme, is the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300. Both the bezel and the fluted dial of this timepiece, with a date display at the 6 o'clock position, are entirely green. Furthermore, like the Rolex Submariner Hulk, the watch is water-resistant to 300 meters and features practical luminous indices.

Seiko Prospex Sumo

Comparatively affordable, the Prospex Sumo from Seiko also comes in a green guise. The luminous indices on the dial are very similar to those of the Rolex model, but the date window on the Seiko model is located in a rather unusual position between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions. This water-resistant luxury model, available with a GMT hand, is made of stainless steel and features a 72-hour power reserve.

Longines HydroConquest

Would you like a little more color? On the Longines HydroConquest Automatic, the green extends from the bezel and dial to the textile strap. Water-resistant to 300 meters, this diver's watch boasts excellent value for money: The stainless steel watch starts at just under €1,500, making it a real bargain—at least compared to the Rolex Hulk.

Rado Captain Cook Bronze

The Rado watch from the Captain Cook collection is a real eye-catcher thanks to its particularly vibrant green color. This striking luxury watch is "only" water-resistant to 100 meters, but nevertheless impresses with an 80-hour power reserve and a reliable automatic caliber.

Oris Aquis Date

Luminous indices, a stainless steel case and bracelet, and plenty of rich green: The Oris Aquis Date certainly offers a lot that makes it an interesting alternative to the Rolex Hulk 116610LV. This luxury watch, powered by a Swiss-made caliber 733 movement, features a discreetly embedded date window at the 6 o'clock position, and its high-contrast appearance expresses a fascinating character that, in its own unique way, evokes associations with the Rolex Hulk.

Conclusion

The Rolex Submariner Date "Hulk" (Reference 116610LV) lives up to its name, and not only because of its color. Equipped with a high-quality Rolex caliber plus date, this special timepiece undoubtedly possesses an "inner strength" that is in no way inferior to that of the superhero. It's therefore not surprising that the value of the Hulk is now significantly higher than its list price, making this luxury watch an attractive investment. In short: The Rolex Hulk is one of the most popular watches from the Geneva manufacturer for good reason, and the hype surrounding this sought-after model doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon.