Rolex Hulk

It is ultra-modern, extremely classy and, above all, unmistakably green: the Rolex Submariner "Hulk". The Submariner Date model with the Ref 116610LV, whose nickname is based on the well-known Marvel character, was presented to the public at Basel World 2010 and has been one of the most popular Rolex luxury watches ever since. The 2020 production stop of the Reference 116610LV, which was replaced by the very similar 126610LV, has not changed this - on the contrary. We take a closer look at the hype surrounding the Rolex Hulk, present the coveted men's watch in detail and also devote ourselves to some luxury watches that could be considered as alternatives to the green Rolex Submariner Date.

Why is the Rolex Hulk so popular?

The huge popularity of the Submariner Hulk is probably the result of several factors. Firstly, it is a relatively new reference in the "Rolex Submariner family". The Hulk watches therefore take on the enormous legacy of what is probably the most famous diving watch in the world. Secondly, the special Rolex model impresses with its fresh, unusual design, which immediately catches the eye with the memorable " Rolex green ".

In addition, the Hulk models - as is usual for Submariner references - impress with outstanding quality, a reliable caliber and technical sophistication. The name Rolex does the rest to contribute to the success of the 116610LV Hulk. The Swiss company has always stood for top-class luxury watches and there are only a few collectors who do not dream of owning a luxury watch from the brand.

When Rolex announced that it would no longer produce the Ref 116610LV from 2020, this further fueled demand for the green Rolex Submariner. A phenomenon that can be observed again and again in the watch world: the announcement that production is no longer being produced brings even more attention to a model and leads to watch fans scrambling for it even more.

The Submariner as an icon in the Rolex family

To understand the true value of a Rolex Hulk, you first have to understand the history of the Rolex Submariner. The first watches in the legendary series - the "original Submariner" - came onto the market in 1954 and were considered true pioneers in the field of diving watches with their water resistance of up to 100 meters. The beginning of a success story that is unparalleled.

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

Today, the Rolex Submariner Date models are well known to connoisseurs and collectors all over the world and it is almost impossible to talk about Rolex without mentioning a Submariner reference sooner or later. The Submariner, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary, can therefore be described in good conscience as an untouched icon among Rolex watches.

The design of the Rolex Hulk

At first glance, it is certainly its design that sets the Submariner Hulk apart from the mass of luxury timepieces. The bezel and dial of the iconic watch are in typical "Rolex green", which gives the watches with Oyster bracelets 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, which is reminiscent of the previous model with the nickname "Kermit", the Rolex Submariner Hulk has a lot to offer on the outside. For example, there are the well-formed indices, which glow in the dark as is typical for the Submariner, and the filigree hands, which are also coated with luminous material. These carefully integrated elements ensure that the stainless steel watch is extremely legible even in difficult lighting conditions such as those found underwater. The bezel made of Rolex Cerachrom ceramic contains a high-quality sapphire crystal that provides a clear view of the linear 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, which is affectionately called "Starbucks" in fan circles, has a dial in plain black, while the bezel remains green in the new model.

The technical features

As befits a Rolex Submariner, the Hulk naturally also has "inner values" that make the watch a winner across the board. The stylish models are waterproof to depths of 300 meters and thus successfully follow in the footsteps of the world-famous Rolex Submariner diving watches.

The stainless steel watch with a diameter of 40 mm and a screw-down crown is powered by the tried and tested Rolex automatic caliber 3135. This is an extremely precise movement with a 48-hour power reserve. The aforementioned two-digit date display is built into the 3 o'clock position - a feature that is particularly characteristic of the Rolex Submariner Date and therefore cannot be missing from the Hulk model.

How much does a Rolex Hulk cost?

One thing is clear: the diving watch with a green dial and Cerachrom bezel, which investors prefer to use as an investment, is not cheap. If you want to own a real 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, the models are hardly available from official dealers.

The watch with the superhero name is still available on the secondary market, but the prices there far exceed the original list price . Depending on the condition, the models change hands for an average of €18,000 - a proud sum that die-hard watch lovers are willing to pay.

By the way: When buying on the secondary market , it is particularly important to check the authenticity of the timepieces on offer. Ideally, you should choose a model with the original box and original papers. In addition, if in doubt, it is advisable to seek assistance from an expert when making the purchase.

Alternatives to the Rolex Hulk

Green, green, green are all my watches - at least that applies to the models that we would like to briefly introduce below. They all have similarities to the Rolex Submariner Date "Hulk" in one way or another and are particularly interesting for watch fans who want 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 likely options. After all, the Rolex Submariner is now available in numerous attractive versions. How about the " Smurf " with a blue bezel, for example, or the more understated version in all black? The successor model "Starbucks" with the Ref 126610LV mentioned above is also a logical choice. However, it should be remembered that all Rolex Submariner Date watches are very popular, which is why you should always expect a waiting list and sometimes long waiting times when buying from 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. The elegant diving watch with date window is water-resistant to 150 meters and has a 60-hour power reserve. If you opt for this product, you have to do without the bright bezel. In return, you get an extra portion of elegance, which is excellently underlined by the dark green dial with decorative grooved structure.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer

Another luxury watch that is 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 at the 6 o'clock point are completely green. In addition, the watch - just like the Rolex Submariner Hulk - is water resistant to 300 meters and has practical luminous indices.

Seiko Prospex Sumo

Comparatively inexpensive, 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 product is in a rather unusual place between 4 and 5. The waterproof luxury model, which is available with a GMT hand, is made of stainless steel and has a 72-hour power reserve.

Longines HydroConquest

Would you like a little more color? With the Longines HydroConquest Automatic , the green extends over the bezel and dial and even onto the textile strap. Water resistant to 300 meters, this diving watch boasts a first-class price-performance ratio: the stainless steel watch is available from 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 due to its particularly bright green color. The eye-catching 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, stainless steel case and strap and lots of rich green: the Oris Aquis Date certainly has a lot to offer that makes it an interesting alternative to the Rolex Hulk 116610LV. The luxury watch with a Swiss Made caliber 733 movement has a discreetly embedded date window at the 6 o'clock point and its high-contrast appearance expresses a fascinating character that evokes associations with the Rolex Hulk in its own unique way.

Conclusion

The Rolex Submariner Date "Hulk" (reference 116610LV) lives up to its name, and not just because of its color. Equipped with a high-quality Rolex caliber plus date, the special timepiece undoubtedly has an "inner strength" that is in no way inferior to that of the superhero. So it is not surprising that the value of the Hulk is now well above the list price, which makes the luxury watch an attractive investment. In short: The Rolex Hulk is one of the most popular watches from the Geneva manufacturer for good reasons, and it does not seem as if the hype surrounding the popular model will die down any time soon.