Rolex Hulk

The Rolex "Hulk" is one of the most coveted Submariner models to ever exist. This watch bears the reference number 116610LV and owes its nickname to its vibrant green dial with matching bezel and "super case." This 40-mm stainless steel case sports wider lugs, higher sides, a heftier crown guard, and a slightly wider bezel. Compared to the standard case of the five-digit Submariner references, which is also 40 mm in diameter, the "Hulk" has a much mightier wrist presence – hence the parallel drawn with the green Marvel superhero.

From a technical point of view, the Rolex Hulk is no different from the standard Submariner Date ref. 116610: it's water-resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft), made of 904L stainless steel – which Rolex refers to as Oystersteel – and uses the tried-and-true in-house caliber 3135.

In 2020, Rolex discontinued production of the Hulk ref. 116610LV, sending prices through the roof. The model more than doubled in value between June 2020 and June 2022. Since then, however, the Hulk has become significantly more affordable; as of early 2023, investing in a Hulk won't break the bank.

In the spring of 2023, demand for the Submariner "Hulk" was significantly lower than a year earlier, which led to sharply falling prices. While an unworn 116610LV cost around 32,000 USD in May 2022, the same model changed hands for roughly 26,000 USD a year later. You can buy a worn specimen for about 23,000 USD.

The Submariner ref. 116610LV "Hulk" made its debut in 2010 as a successor to the Submariner ref. 16610LV "Kermit". It is the only Submariner to feature a green bezel and matching green dial. Unlike the Kermit model, which has an aluminum bezel inlay, Rolex crafts the bezel of the Hulk from Cerachrom, their proprietary high-tech ceramic. Rolex first used this material back in 2005 with the black-dialed GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN. Cerachrom was first introduced to the Submariner collection in blue and black models predating the Hulk, namely the reference numbers 116610, 116613, 116618, and 116619.

The Hulk features a maxi dial with enlarged indices, and another rarity in the Submariner lineup: a sunburst finish.

The caliber 3135 ticks away inside this Submariner at 28,800 vph. The movement has demonstrated its reliability in other Rolex models such as the Datejust, Yacht-Master, and the Sea-Dweller. This in-house creation was first unveiled in 1988, has a power reserve of 48 hours, and a chronometer certificate from the COSC. The balance spring is virtually unaffected by magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations, thanks to Rolex's patented Parachrom hairspring.