My Favorite Rolex Nicknames

What do I think is the coolest thing about Rolex watches? Well, you might be surprised. It's not the dial color, the metal choice, or even the model itself. For me, it's the nicknames linked to specific reference numbers.

What makes Rolex nicknames so interesting to me is that they weren't created by Rolex, but rather, were given to certain references by collectors over the years. Whether inspired by soft drinks, superheroes, celebrities, or famous cartoon characters, these nicknames have become one of the many reasons why collecting Rolex watches is so special and exciting. 

In the GMT-Master II lineup, four references have been given soda-inspired nicknames:

The GMT Master-II "Pepsi" "Coke" "Sprite" & "Root Beer"

Out of these four choices, my personal favorite has to be the “Pepsi.” I am a big fan of the blue and red bezel, and I think it’s an iconic watch that stands out from other GMT-Master II models because of its colorful yet refined design.

The “Coke” is very similar to the “Pepsi,” but I prefer blue over black. Also the “Coke” is only available in older Rolex references and there is no modern day production reference. 

The “Sprite” also makes a strong case, but once again, it simply comes down to personal color preferences.

The “Root Beer” stands apart from the other nicknames because of its Two-Tone Rose Gold bracelet and black and brown bezel, giving it a more luxurious and flashy appearance than the other models.

The modern-day references of the "Pepsi" nickname are the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO and the GMT-Master II 126719BLRO, both of which have been in production since 2018.

Unlike the other soda-inspired GMT-Master II models, there is currently no modern-day reference of the "Coke.". The last "Coke" produced was the GMT-Master II 16710, which remained in production from 1989 to 2007.

The modern-day reference of the "Sprite" nickname is the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, which was introduced in 2022.

Finally, the modern-day references of the "Root Beer" are the  GMT-Master II 126715CHNR and the GMT-Master II 126711CHNR, both of which have been in production since 2018.

Nevertheless, whichever soda-inspired nickname GMT-Master II you prefer, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

The Daytona "Panda"

In the Daytona collection, my favorite nickname has to be the Daytona “Panda.” With a white dial contrasted by black sub-dials, this watch is like the face of a panda. The layout of the dial makes the watch easy to read while giving it a clean and balanced look. It has become an iconic watch not just within Rolex’s collection, but in the luxury watch world as a whole. Mention the “Panda” to someone who might not know much about luxury watches but has some familiarity with the industry, and chances are they’ll know exactly which watch you’re talking about.

The modern-day reference of the "Panda" is the Daytona 126500LN, which was introduced in 2023.

The Submariner "Hulk"

When it comes to the Submariner collection, the “Hulk” is my favorite nickname. The nickname comes from the watch’s fully green design, featuring both a green bezel and a green dial. Much like the Incredible Hulk himself, this green on green combination gives the watch a strong and recognizable look. Since it was introduced in 2010, the “Hulk” has become one of the most iconic and sought-after Submariner variations in Rolex's lineup.

There is currently no active production of the "Hulk". The last "Hulk" produced was the Submariner 116610LV, which remained in production from 2010 to 2020.

Honorable Mentions

Two other Rolex nicknames that deserve an honorable mention are the Daytona “Ghost” and the Submariner “Smurf.”

I've always liked the Daytona “Ghost” because of its understated and elegant design. It has a clean look that can easily be used in casual settings to more formal events.

The modern-day reference of the "Ghost" is the Daytona 126519LN, which was introduced in 2023.

Another nickname that deserves some recognition is the Submariner “Smurf.” As someone who has always a big fan of the color blue, I have a preference for this reference. Featuring a blue bezel with a blue dial, the “Smurf” stands out from other Submariner models while keeping the classic design that made the collection so iconic.

There is currently no active production of the "Smurf". The last Rolex "Smurf" produced was the Submariner 116619LB, which remained in production from 2008 to 2020.

These are just a few of the many nicknames Rolex has in its collection. Check out our Rolex nickname guide to learn more!