Rolex Hulk Submariner: The 116610LV Buying Guide

What Is the Rolex Hulk?

The Rolex Hulk is the collector nickname for the Submariner Date reference 116610LV. The “LV” stands for Lunette Verte — French for green bezel — but what made this watch distinctive was its green dial paired with that green Cerachrom bezel insert. It was the first Submariner to go all green, and the combination earned it the comic-book nickname almost immediately after its 2010 launch.

Rolex produced the Hulk for a decade, from 2010 until its discontinuation in September 2020. During that time it sat alongside the standard black-dial 116610LN in the Submariner Date lineup. Both shared identical specifications — same case, same movement, same bracelet — with only the dial and bezel colour setting them apart. Yet the green version attracted a completely different kind of buyer: collectors who wanted something that stood out on the wrist without straying from the Submariner’s tool-watch DNA.

When Rolex discontinued the entire “11” generation of Submariners in 2020 and replaced them with the “12” series, the Hulk was succeeded by the 126610LV — nicknamed the Starbucks — which kept the green bezel but switched to a black dial. That design change meant the all-green Submariner became a one-generation experiment, and its secondary market prices have reflected that scarcity ever since. Today, the Hulk is one of the most recognisable modern Rolex references and a benchmark for how discontinued sport models hold value.

The 116610LV Specifications

Under the green exterior, the Hulk is a standard-issue Submariner Date with the same specifications Rolex applied across the 116610 family. The Submariner has always been Rolex’s professional dive watch, and the 116610LV delivered that heritage in full: a 40mm Oystersteel case rated to 300 metres, a unidirectional rotating bezel with a Cerachrom insert, and a Triplock crown system. The Calibre 3135 movement was Rolex’s workhorse automatic, running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 48-hour power reserve and a date complication at three o’clock with the signature Cyclops magnifying lens.

The Glidelock clasp was a meaningful upgrade from older Submariner bracelets, allowing roughly 20mm of on-the-fly adjustment without tools. Combined with the Cerachrom bezel insert — which is virtually scratch-proof and fade-resistant — the 116610LV represented the full modernisation of the Submariner platform that Rolex rolled out starting in 2010. These features remain standard on the current 126610 series, making the Hulk mechanically closer to a modern Submariner than many buyers realise.

Hulk vs Starbucks: Head-to-Head Comparison

The Starbucks (126610LV) replaced the Hulk in Rolex’s lineup in September 2020. It kept the green Cerachrom bezel but swapped the green dial for black, creating a different visual identity. Beyond the colour change, Rolex upgraded the movement, increased the case size slightly, and refined the bracelet proportions. Here is how the two references compare side by side.

The Starbucks is the technically superior watch — its Cal. 3235 delivers 22 more hours of power reserve, a more efficient Chronergy escapement, and Rolex’s latest Superlative Chronometer certification at ±2 seconds per day. The bracelet has slimmer lugs that some wearers find more comfortable. But the Hulk’s all-green look is what makes it collectible. If you are buying for daily wear and want the most modern green Submariner, the Starbucks gives you more watch for less money. If you want the discontinued original that started the green Submariner phenomenon, the Hulk commands a justified premium. Check our full Submariner price guide for current pricing across all references.

The Green Submariner Timeline: Kermit, Hulk and Starbucks

The Hulk was not Rolex’s first green-bezel Submariner. That honour belongs to the Kermit, reference 16610LV, which debuted in 2003 to mark the Submariner’s 50th anniversary. Understanding the three generations helps buyers place the Hulk in the broader collector market.

The Kermit introduced the green-bezel concept with an aluminium insert that could scratch and fade over time — which some collectors now consider a desirable patina feature. The Hulk modernised everything with ceramic and added the green dial. The Starbucks returned to a black dial and updated the movement. Each generation has its own collector base, and the Hulk sits in the middle in both production timeline and price. All three are considered desirable references in the broader Rolex sport watch lineup.

Current Market Prices in 2026

The Hulk’s secondary market has settled into a more predictable range after the wild swings of 2021–2022. During the pandemic-era watch boom, pristine examples traded as high as $28,000–$30,000. Prices have since corrected but remain well above the original $9,050 MSRP. According to WatchCharts market data, the average pre-owned Hulk trades at approximately $18,600 as of October 2026.

Several factors influence where a specific example falls within the $16,000–$25,000 range:

• Full set vs watch only: Box, papers, warranty card, and hang tags add $2,000–$3,000 to the price. A warranty card with an authorized dealer stamp carries more weight than a parallel-import card.
• Production year: Later-production examples (2018–2020) tend to command a slight premium because they have more warranty life remaining or have seen less wear.
• Condition: Over-polished lugs or a scratched crystal will suppress the price. Collectors pay the most for examples with sharp, factory-finished edges.
• Service history: A recently serviced watch with a Rolex service card and fresh gaskets is worth more than one that needs a $800–$1,000 service immediately.

Use Grailr’s appraisal tool to get an indicative price estimate for a specific example, then verify against recent sold listings on Chrono24 and eBay before committing to a purchase. Asking prices are not completed-sale prices, and dealers have a commercial interest in showing higher figures.

What to Check Before Buying a Hulk

The Hulk’s desirability makes it a target for both overpriced examples and, occasionally, outright fakes. A thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential at this price point. Here are the critical checks, whether you are buying from a dealer, a marketplace, or a private seller.

Is the Hulk Worth the Premium?

At $18,000–$22,000, the Hulk costs roughly $3,000–$7,000 more than a Starbucks for a watch with an older movement, shorter power reserve, and no manufacturer warranty. The premium buys you the all-green look — a combination Rolex has never repeated — and the cachet of a discontinued reference with proven collector demand.

Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on what you value. If you want the most modern green Submariner for daily wear, the Starbucks is the rational choice: newer movement, lower price, and still available through authorized dealers if you are willing to wait. If you want the watch that defined the green Submariner as a collector category, the Hulk is irreplaceable — there is no other way to get an all-green, Cerachrom-bezel Submariner.

From a value-retention perspective, the Hulk has held well. Even after the 2022–2023 market correction that saw many sport Rolex prices drop 20–30%, the Hulk still trades at roughly double its original retail. That said, past performance is not a guarantee. Rolex could theoretically reintroduce an all-green Submariner, or market preferences could shift toward the Starbucks as it ages. Treat the Hulk as a watch that retains value well rather than as an investment that guarantees returns. For broader context on Rolex versus other brands, see our Rolex vs Omega resale value guide.

One practical advantage of the Hulk’s secondary market position: if you buy at today’s prices and wear it for several years, your downside risk is relatively limited. You are not paying a 2022-era peak premium, and the floor — set by the original retail price and ongoing collector demand — appears well-established. Just buy what you genuinely want to wear, authenticate thoroughly, and use Grailr’s scanner to check pricing before committing.

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