Exploring Rolex Nicknames: Pepsi, Root Beer, Hulk and the Others

One of the qualities that humans possess is the ability to come up with all sorts of terms of endearment. Just as you likely have nicknames for some of the people you’re closest to or something fun to call your vehicle, it’s not unusual for owners of Rolex watches to come up with some fun nicknames for their favorite watches.

Typically, the nicknames pick up on some attribute associated with specific styles and designs for different Rolex watches. When you realize the inspiration for those names, they suddenly make a lot of sense. While it’s true that you will never see the nicknames used in any official documentation, it’s a safe bet that the following will be heard when Rolex enthusiasts gather to discuss the brand. They may also show up in descriptions found on buyer guides. For this reason, it pays to get to know those nicknames a little better.

The Rolex Batman

It’s hard to imagine anyone who has not heard of Batman before. The character has been the subject of movies, television shows and of course comic books for decades. As a man of action and one with a past that is sometimes shrouded in mystery, Batman conjures up images of mystery as well as being true to the cause of right.

It should come as no surprise that has led to the first watches featuring ceramic bezels to be referred to as the Batman. Part of the reasoning is the color scheme. A combination of black and blue hearken back to the hues of Batman’s costume. It doesn’t hurt that the watch design is sleek and functional, much like the utility belt and the equipment associated with the character. The steel casing looks like it would easily be at home on the wrist of Bruce Wayne or any of his successors in the Batman story line.

The Rolex Hulk

A more recent addition to the Rolex family, a watch with this nickname is often a Submariner that’s outfitted with a green face as well as a green bezel. The green used is more vibrant than what was used with a more established Rolex with the nickname of the Kermit. While you may think that this alone would be enough to earn the name, there’s one more factor to consider.

As fans will know, the Hulk appears when the character becomes angry. The transformation makes the character bigger in stature. A Rolex sporting this shade of green is also likely to have a slightly larger body. The bigger casing is one more reason why this watch ended up with such a fun nickname. Unlike the superhero, you won’t have to worry about your watch shrinking back to a smaller size once the excitement is over.

The Rolex Kermit

Speaking of green, the Kermit is easily one of the most recognizable Rolex watches around. Originally released in 2003 is recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Submariner line, it sports a green that’s the same shade as the legendary Sesame Street puppet.

This design does sport a green bezel, hence the Kermit reference. It’s usually paired with a black face and luminescent characters on the dial. Like any Submariner, this model provides ample water resistance and is one of the larger cases offered by Rolex. A stainless steel band completes the look that’s both sporty as well as being a lot of fun.

The Rolex Smurf

What do you think about when discussions of Papa Smurf develop? If you’re like most people, the first thing that comes to mind is the color blue. Specifically, a shade known as Smurf Blue is likely to be what you think about. You can bet that this shade is what leads to the inspiration for the Rolex Smurf.

Once again, the bezel is the portion that sports this unique color. As part of the Submariner line, it can come with a blue face or a black one. Since the line as discontinued in 2020, it’s now becoming quite the collector’s edition. As with all Submariner Rolex designs, it includes features that make it a versatile watch. At the same time, the unique blue is sure to bring a smile to the face of everyone who sees it.

The Rolex Coke

Not all nicknames for Rolex watches are based on superheroes, cartoon characters, or puppets. Some of them have to do with beverages as well. There’s no better example of this than the Rolex Coke.

Interestingly enough, the Coke was not the first Rolex to be nicknamed after a beverage. When the GMT-Master II was released in 1983, one of the more noticeable features was the bezel design. It included the use of black and red, looking a great deal like the packaging on cans or bottles of Coca-Cola. Just as most people will refer to the soda by the nickname of Coke, it wasn’t long before enthusiasts had decided to follow suit with the watch.

There were other nicknames for the GMT-Master II that made the rounds, but never gained the popularity of the Coke. One was the Sophia Loren and was inspired by the figure of this noted actress who enthralled audiences for decades. The wider case shape of the watch was associated with the full-figured curves that Loren sported for most of her career. There was also a less popular nickname, with the watch known as the Fat Lady. The latter didn’t last long among enthusiasts.

The Rolex Pepsi

Just as the colors inspired the nickname for the Rolex Coke, the same is true for the Rolex Pepsi. As part of the GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II line, these watches made use of the same red and blue combination that’s been a hallmark of Pepsi for decades. 

At the time the original GMT-Master line was introduced in the 1950s, there was another contender for the nickname of choice. At the time, red and blue was also a color combination used by one of the most widely-known airlines in the world: Pan Am. Even with the popularity of the airline, it wasn’t long before people tended to pick up on the Pepsi connection and run with it. While there are plans to discontinue the latest short run of this line before 2021 is over, there’s no doubt that this nickname will linger as collectors snap up any of these watches they can find.

The Rolex Root Beer

In between the release of the Rolex Pepsi and the Rolex Coke, soda once again became the inspiration for a nickname. That was the case with the Rolex Root Beer. Also part of the GMT-Master II line, the colors were what led to the fanciful name. The combination of a warm brown paired with an equally appealing cream makes the bezel look a bit like a tall cool glass of root beer with a nice creamy head on top. Specifically, the bezel sports the brown while the dial includes the cream accents.

The original design for the Root Beer Master II line was discontinued in 2006. While some thought that was the end of the Root Beer, things didn’t turn out that way. A short run was released just a few years ago, although with a few changes.

After more than a decade, a new generation of Root Beers came into being. In 2018, models made using slightly muted shades of brown that would tend to blend in with the black facing in certain lighting conditions appeared on the scene. This new offering also included bracelets that made use of rose gold for the first time. The bright bezel colors of years past remain part of the design and make the nickname still relevant.

If you hear a nickname for any Rolex watch design, there’s usually some reason behind it. Take the time to learn more about those nicknames and what they mean. As you begin to look around for the next Rolex to add to your collection, understand what’s behind the nicknames will be one more way to decide if that particular style is right for you.