Rolexes are some of the most popular watches on Barnebys, with a cult status and global demand that keeps growing. Renowned for over a century for their precision, innovation, and varied designs, the Rolex brand is a popular topic among enthusiasts, collectors, and fans who often enjoy discussing the timepieces. Nicknames play a significant role here, allowing fans to refer to their favourite models affectionately.
See also: 8 Little Known Rolex Facts
Interestingly, Rolex's reference system isn't overly complex but follows a predictable pattern that has been in place since the 1920s. Starting in the 1950s, Rolex adopted a four-digit numbering system for models, which expanded to five digits two decades later and has used six digits since 2000.
The first three or four digits of these codes correspond to the model (e.g., Datejust, Daytona, Explorer), followed by a number from 0-9 that indicates the bezel design (e.g., smooth, fluted, rotating). The final digit (also 0-9) specifies the material (e.g., steel, yellow gold, platinum, or steel combined with yellow gold).
Particularly relevant to the nicknames are the letter codes in recent references, which refer to specific features of a Rolex watch, primarily the bezel's colour. These combinations are often based on French words for colours, like BLRO (Bleu/Rouge) for a blue-red bezel, or LV (Lunette Verte) for a green bezel. Codes also indicate gemstone settings, like SABR for sapphires and diamonds or RBOW (Rainbow) for a bezel with a gradient of sapphires. Additional codes include RBR (Rolex branded rehaut), indicating an engraving of the word Rolex on the rehaut, the elevated frame around the dial.
Discover some of the most famous nicknames for the beloved Rolex models GMT-Master and Submariner!
GMT-Master and GMT-Master II
Pepsi
Regarded as the mother of all Rolex nicknames, Pepsi originated in 1955 with the introduction of the GMT-Master pilot watch, which was produced in various models and references until 1999. This was preceded by a request from the American airline Pan Am for a watch that could display two different time zones. A distinctive feature of this watch was its two-tone bezel in blue and red, symbolising day and night. The initial reference was 6542, but the fan community quickly adopted the nickname Pepsi, as the colour combination reminded them of the famous beverage brand. The Pepsi bezel has continued with the GMT-Master II introduced in the 1980s, with the current reference being 126710BLRO.
Listen to: Podcast Ep #24 Time to Talk About Watches
Root Beer
In 1970, a new colour combination was added to the already classic blue-red bezel of the GMT-Master. With reference 1675/3, a variant was introduced that combined its stainless steel case with a brown and gold bezel. A nickname was quickly coined: Root Beer, after the popular American soft drink. Today, this watch is valued by collectors for its vintage look that perfectly embodies the 70s. Sometimes, this variant is also referred to as Clint Eastwood, as the actor owned such a watch. In 1989, the Root Beer variant was essentially reborn with the GMT-Master II (Ref. 16713). A 2018 version with a brown and black bezel is also known as Root Beer (Ref. 126711CHNR or 126715CHNR).
Fat Lady / Coke
However, the actual debut of the GMT-Master II was not in 1989, but in 1982. As the watch launched at that time had a slightly thicker case than the GMT-Master, it was rather unflatteringly called Fat Lady (Ref. 16760). The nickname Sophia Loren is also occasionally mentioned, comparing the curves of the new watch to those of the Italian actress. The new GMT-Master was exclusively available with a black and red bezel, which prompted another beverage-related nickname: Coke. This colour combination was also available from 1989 (Ref. 16710), after the original GMT-Master II aka Fat Lady had been revised and production truly picked up.
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Batman / Batgirl
After the turn of the millennium, soft drinks lost their dominance in terms of nicknames for GMT-Master II watches. The 2013 variant in black and blue was named Batman (Ref. 116710BLNR). In 2019, Batgirl (Ref. 126710BLNR) followed, featuring a different calibre.
Sprite
In 2022, the Sprite variant with its black and green bezel (Ref. 126720VTNR) was introduced. This is also the first Rolex specifically for left-handers, hence its second nickname Ned Flanders, named after the left-handed neighbour from the cartoon family The Simpsons.
Submariner
Kermit
The trend towards fictional characters was already established in another Rolex model, namely the Submariner diving watch. The 2003 reference 16610LV, introduced on the 50th anniversary of the Submariner, combined a black dial with a green bezel (green is after all Rolex's brand colour), leading to the nickname Kermit, after the popular frog from the Muppet Show.
See also: The 10 Greatest Dive Watches for Collectors
Hulk
The production of Kermit was discontinued in 2010. It was followed by reference 116610LV, where not just the bezel but also the dial was green. In search of something even greener than Kermit, the Rolex community came upon the comic hero Hulk, enriching the Rolex universe with another nickname.
Starbucks
In 2020, the slightly revised reference 126610LV replaced the Hulk Submariner. Like the Kermit variant, it combined a green bezel with a black dial (hence sometimes called The New Kermit). However, the shade of green is different, reminiscent of the colour of the US coffeehouse chain Starbucks, leading to another foray into the world of beverages, albeit hot ones this time.
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Smurf
In 2008, another comic-related nickname emerged when Rolex launched the all-blue reference 116619LB of the Submariner. As a naming partner, something that could not be bluer was needed. What better choice than looking into the Belgian comics about the adorable Smurfs?
Here ends our brief overview of the most important and common nicknames for Rolex watches from the GMT-Master (II) and Submariner models, hopefully shedding some light on the topic.
It should be noted that the nicknames, invented by fans and collectors, can sometimes cause experts to turn up their noses. So, if you ever call Rolex because you have a question about one of the watches, you might be better off having the reference handy.
