Rolex. The name itself brings to mind images of luxury, precision, and timeless style. But for true watch enthusiasts, there’s a second, more colorful language—a vibrant, unofficial dictionary of Rolex nicknames that captures the spirit of these legendary timepieces.
From the iconic “Pepsi” to the mighty “Hulk,” these names are more than just slang. They represent the deep connection collectors feel with their watches, inspired by unique colorways, design details, or even blockbuster movie moments. As we navigate 2025, this collector’s lexicon is more relevant than ever, driving conversations and defining what’s desirable.
If you’ve ever been curious why a GMT-Master II is called a “Batman,” or what makes a Daytona a “Paul Newman”, you’re in the right place. This is your definitive 2025 guide to Rolex watch nicknames.
Why Do Rolexes Have Nicknames?
It’s a phenomenon unique to the world of high-end watches. While other brands have model numbers, Rolexes become known by their aliases. This tradition comes from a few key factors:
Distinctive Visuals: Many nicknames are born from a watch’s unique bezel colors, dial patterns, or the shape of its components.
Easy Recognition: Official reference numbers can be long and complicated; nicknames are a simple and memorable shorthand.
Community Culture: Using these terms builds a sense of shared knowledge and community among watch lovers.
Pop Culture Fame: A watch can earn a nickname from its appearance in a famous film or on the wrist of a celebrity.
The Greats: Decoding the Most Famous Rolex Nicknames in 2025
Here’s a look at the most recognized Rolex nicknames, with insights into their origins and current status.
The GMT-Master Family: A World of Color
The GMT-Master line is a goldmine for nicknames, thanks to its iconic two-color bezels designed to help pilots track day and night across time zones.
“Pepsi”
What it is: The “Pepsi” is the universally recognized nickname for any Rolex GMT-Master or GMT-Master II model that features the signature blue and red bi-color bezel. This bezel is marked with a 24-hour scale, where the red half represents daytime hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and the blue half represents nighttime hours, allowing for easy at-a-glance differentiation of a second time zone.
Over its history, the “Pepsi” bezel has been crafted from Bakelite, aluminum, and most recently, a highly durable ceramic known as Cerachrom. Its most notable references are the longest running Ref. 1675 (from 1959-1980) and the Ref. 116719BLRO, which marked its triumphant return with a Cerachrom bezel.
The Story: The story of the “Pepsi” begins with the birth of the jet age. In 1955, Rolex developed the original GMT-Master (ref. 6542) in collaboration with Pan American World Airways. The airline needed a watch for its pilots on long-haul international routes that could simultaneously track their local time and a second time zone, typically Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Rolex delivered with a watch featuring a rotating 24-hour bezel in the now-famous blue and red color scheme for clear day/night indication.
The nickname “Pepsi” was later coined by collectors due to the bezel’s resemblance to the soda company’s logo. From its origins as a purpose-built tool for aviators, the “Pepsi” has evolved into one of the most famous and sought-after watch designs in history.
<
“Batman” “Batgirl”
What they are: A GMT-Master II with a black and blue ceramic bezel.
The Story: Unveiled in 2013, the “Batman” was the first Rolex to feature a two-color ceramic bezel in blue and black. The original came on a sporty, three-link Oyster bracelet (Ref. 116710BLNR).
In 2019, an updated version was released exclusively on the dressier five-link Jubilee bracelet, earning the nickname “Batgirl” (Ref. 126710BLNR). Rolex later re-introduced the “Batman” on the Oyster bracelet due to popular demand, and both models are highly sought after in 2025.
<
“Bruce Wayne”
What it is: A GMT-Master II with a sophisticated black and grey bezel (Ref. 126710GRNR). It is available with both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets.
The Story: This nickname emerged instantly when the watch was revealed in 2024. The more subdued and elegant color scheme was seen as the perfect civilian alter ego to the vibrant “Batman,” hence “Bruce Wayne.” It’s a versatile and popular new addition for 2025.
<
“Sprite”
What it is: A GMT-Master II with a green and black bezel and a left-handed crown (Ref. 126720VTNR). It is available with both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets.
The Story: Released in 2022, this watch was an instant sensation. Not only did the green and black colors evoke the “Sprite” branding, but it was also Rolex’s first-ever “destro” (left-handed) watch. Its unique design continues to make it a hot commodity in 2025.
<
“Coke”
What it is: A GMT-Master II with a red and black bezel and an Oyster bracelet. The two main Rolex references associated with the “Coke” are the 16760 (also known as the “Fat Lady”) and the 16710.
The Story: The “Coke” was introduced in 1982 with the first-ever GMT-Master II, and the name was a direct nod to Coca-Cola’s colors. Although it was discontinued around 2007, rumors of a modern ceramic “Coke” persist. As of 2025, it has not been re-released, making vintage models highly prized.
“Root Beer”
What it is: A GMT-Master with a brown and gold or brown and black bezel. Several references are associated with this nickname, including the 1675/3, 16753, 16713, 126715CHNR, and 126711CHNR.
The Story: The original “Root Beer” from the 1970s featured a warm, brown-and-gold colorway that resembled the soft drink.
After a period of absence, Rolex spectacularly revived the “Root Beer” in 2018, ushering it into the modern era of watchmaking. This new generation of “Root Beer” GMT-Master II models, one made in full 18k Everose and another in two-tone Oystersteel and Everose, brought with it a host of contemporary upgrades: a solid Oyster case and bracelet, and a Cerachrom bezel, resulting in a refined, even more luxurious aesthetic.
The Submariner Family: Dive into the Icons
Rolex’s legendary dive watch has its own collection of beloved nicknames, often inspired by color.
“Kermit” “Starbucks”
What they are: Submariners with a green bezel and black dial.
The Story: The original “Kermit” (Ref. 16610LV) was released in 2003 for the Submariner’s 50th anniversary and featured a bright green aluminum bezel. It marked the first time that a green colored bezel was used on Rolex watches.
After it was discontinued, Rolex introduced a new version in 2020 with a darker, ceramic green bezel (Ref. 126610LV) and a larger 41mm case. Collectors have nicknamed this modern successor the “Starbucks” for its resemblance to the coffee giant’s corporate colors.
The original “Kermit” is often remembered for its pioneering role, introducing a flash of color to the no-nonsense Submariner line and pairing it with the unique “Maxi” dial on a classic case. The “Starbucks,” by contrast, integrates this popular colorway into the latest generation of Submariner technology and design philosophy.
“Hulk”
What it is: A Submariner with both a green ceramic bezel and a green sunburst dial.
The Story: Unveiled in 2010, the “Hulk” (Ref. 116610LV) earned its name for its powerful, all-green appearance. Its unique green-on-green dial and bezel made it a legend. Discontinued in 2020, its value on the secondary market has soared, and it remains one of the most coveted modern Submariners.
“Smurf” “Cookie Monster”
What they are: White gold Submariners with blue bezels.
The Story: The “Smurf” (Ref. 116619LB) was a solid white gold Submariner with a blue bezel and matching blue dial, introduced in 2008. In 2020, it was replaced by the “Cookie Monster” (Ref. 126619LB), which features the same vibrant blue bezel but contrasts it with a black dial. The “Cookie Monster” has quickly become a modern classic, celebrated for its bold look and luxurious feel.
The “Smurf” was notable for its bright, monochromatic blue appearance, with its flat blue dial perfectly matching its Cerachrom bezel, earning it its playful cartoon nickname. The transition to the “Cookie Monster” in 2020 was more than just a dial swap; it represented a deliberate design shift towards higher contrast and aligned with the launch of the updated 41mm Submariner case and the new-generation Calibre 3235 movement.
“Bluesy”
What it is: The nickname refers specifically to any Submariner Date model featuring a blue bezel, a blue dial, and a two-tone combination of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, also known as “Yellow Rolesor.”
The Story: A mainstay since the late 1980s, the “Bluesy” is a flashy, luxurious take on the classic dive watch. This iconic and eye-catching configuration has evolved over the years, with several distinct reference numbers marking significant updates in materials, movement, and design. The original Bluesy Ref. 16803 and 16613 had aluminum insert bezels, while the modern Ref. 16613LB and 126613LB feature Cerachrom bezels.
The Rolex Submariner Bluesy perfectly balances tool-watch functionality with a more opulent style and remains incredibly popular in 2025.
The Daytona Family: The Champions’ Chronographs
The Daytona is Rolex’s iconic racing chronograph, with nicknames often tied to celebrity owners or rare dial configurations.
“Paul Newman”
What it is: A “Paul Newman” is a specific version of the vintage, manual-wind Rolex Daytona that features a unique “exotic” dial. Its defining characteristics are the Art Deco-style font used for the numerals in the subdials, the small squares at the end of the subdial hash marks, and often a third color (red) for the outer seconds track. These dials were available in various color combinations on several Daytona references, including the 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, and 6265
We thank @luxury for their coverage of last night’s historic sale: https://t.co/A5u3FRBh7T pic.twitter.com/jqnyBo1W2e
— PHILLIPS Watches (@phillipswatches) October 27, 2017
The Story: For years, these “exotic” dials were unpopular and often sat on jewelers’ shelves. That all changed due to their association with actor and racing enthusiast Paul Newman. He was famously photographed wearing a reference 6239 with a white exotic dial, a gift from his wife Joanne Woodward. As his legendary status grew, so did the allure of the watch he wore. Italian collectors in the 1980s began calling it the “Paul Newman” Daytona, and the nickname stuck. The watch he personally owned sold for a record-breaking $17.8 million in 2017, cementing its status as arguably the most famous and desirable vintage watch in the world.
“John Mayer”
What it is: The 18k yellow gold Daytona with a striking green dial (Ref. 116508).
The Story: This watch’s popularity exploded after musician John Mayer, a respected watch collector, praised it in a 2019 interview. The “John Mayer” Daytona became an instant “it” watch, showcasing the power of modern celebrity influence. It remains one of the most desirable gold Daytonas in 2025.
“Panda” “Reverse Panda”
What they are: Modern stainless steel Daytonas with a ceramic bezel (Ref. 116500LN).
The Story: The “Panda” refers to the version with a white dial and black sub-dials, resembling a panda’s face. The “Reverse Panda” is its counterpart with a black dial and white sub-dials. Since their release in 2016, these have been arguably the most in-demand steel sports watches in the world.
“Rainbow”
What it is: A Daytona featuring a bezel set with a spectrum of multicolored sapphires. These are available in yellow gold, white gold, and Everose gold editions (Ref. 116598, 116599, and 116595 RBOW)
#AuctionUpdate … and at the end of the sale, you reach the #rainbow! To be precise, a Rolex Rainbow in pink gold, with its complete set the first of its kind to appear at auction. Sold, a few moments ago for GBP 237,500, completing our #London Watches sale! #sothebyswatches pic.twitter.com/3urqk27JSO
— Sotheby’s (@Sothebys) April 16, 2019
The Story: First introduced in 2012 in yellow and white gold, the Rainbow Daytona immediately captured the attention of high-end collectors for its audacious and masterful gem-setting. Rolex revived the concept in 2018 with the launch of the Everose gold version, which further refined the aesthetic.
The defining characteristic of all “Rainbow” Daytona references is the bezel, which is meticulously set with 36 baguette-cut sapphires that create a seamless and vibrant spectrum of color. Beyond the bezel, the cases are adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds on the lugs and crown guards.
The Classics: Datejust
Oyster Perpetual Nicknames
Even Rolex’s more classic lines have earned special nicknames, often due to unique dial designs or historical associations.
“Thunderbird”
What it is: The Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph, which features a rotating bezel.
The Story: This watch earned its wings after being adopted by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team in the late 1950s. It uniquely blends the elegance of a Datejust with the functionality of a pilot’s watch. Though discontinued, “Thunderbird” models are appreciated by collectors for their military heritage.
“Wimbledon”
What it is: A Datejust with a signature slate grey dial featuring green Roman numerals.
The Story: This nickname is a nod to the iconic green courts of the Wimbledon tennis championships, where Rolex is the official timekeeper. The elegant and sporty dial is a popular and distinctive choice within the Datejust collection.
“Celebration”
What it is: An Oyster Perpetual with a turquoise dial covered in colorful “bubbles”.
The Story: Introduced in 2023, the “Celebration” or “Bubbles” dial was an instant hit for its playful and whimsical design—a major departure from Rolex’s usual aesthetic. This vibrant watch was surprisingly discontinued in 2025, making it a short-lived but highly recognizable modern icon.
The Day-Date: A Symbol of Prestige
Known as the watch of presidents and leaders, the Day-Date’s nicknames reflect its status as Rolex’s most prestigious model.
“President”
What it is: The “President” is the common nickname for the Rolex Day-Date, the brand’s most prestigious dress watch. The name refers to both the watch model itself and its signature bracelet, which features elegant, semi-circular three-piece links. A defining feature of the Day-Date is its complication, which displays the day of the week spelled out in full at 12 o’clock alongside the date at 3 o’clock. It is exclusively crafted from precious metals—either 18k gold (yellow, white, or Everose) or 950 platinum—and has never been offered in stainless steel.
The Story: Introduced in 1956, the Day-Date was an immediate symbol of luxury. Rolex brilliantly marketed it as “The President’s Watch,” a slogan that gained real-world traction when the watch was famously worn by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. This powerful association, combined with the fact that its unique bracelet was officially named the “President” bracelet from the start, cemented the nickname in the public consciousness. Over the decades, it has been worn by countless world leaders, visionaries, and captains of industry, evolving from a mere timepiece into an internationally recognized icon of power, influence, and success.
“Stella”
What it is: Vintage Day-Date models with vibrant, brightly colored lacquer dials.
The Story: In the 1970s, Rolex produced a series of dials in bold colors like yellow, orange, blue, and pink, which came to be known as “Stella”. Initially unpopular, these dials have experienced a massive resurgence and are now highly coveted by collectors for their rarity and vivid look.
The Sea-Dweller Family: Masters of the Deep
Built for the most extreme underwater environments, the Sea-Dweller is Rolex’s ultra-robust professional dive watch. Its nicknames often highlight key dial variations that tell a story of its evolution.
“Great White”
What it is: A vintage Rolex Sea-Dweller (Ref. 1665) with all-white text on the dial.
The Story: This nickname was adopted by collectors to distinguish the models made from about 1978 onwards from their predecessors, which had two lines of red text and are known as “Double Red” Sea-Dwellers. The “Great White” represents a more refined iteration of this historic diver’s watch and is a true collector’s piece today.
“Cameron” or “D-Blue”
What it is: The Rolex Deepsea model with a unique blue-to-black gradient dial (Ref. 116660, 126660 and 136660).
The Story: These nicknames were born in 2014 to celebrate filmmaker James Cameron’s historic solo dive into the Mariana Trench. The stunning dial, called “D-Blue,” mimics the ocean’s descent from light to abyss. This watch is a testament to Rolex’s extreme engineering, and its unique dial makes it instantly recognizable.
The Explorer Family: Built for Adventure
Designed for the world’s most intrepid adventurers, the Explorer’s nicknames are tied to its unique features and legendary, albeit sometimes mistaken, associations.
“Steve McQueen”
What it is: The vintage Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655.
The Story: This is one of the most famous, though inaccurate, nicknames in the Rolex world. Collectors mistakenly believed that actor Steve McQueen wore this watch. While he wore a Submariner, the “Steve McQueen” name stuck to the Explorer II Ref. 1655, which was designed for cave explorers (speleologists) with its distinctive orange 24-hour hand. Its unique design and cult status make it a highly sought-after vintage piece.
“Polar”
What it is: Any Rolex Explorer II with a crisp white dial (Ref. 16550, 16570, 216570 and 226570).
The Story: This nickname emerged organically because the stark white dial evokes the snowy landscapes of polar expeditions. It was designed to help explorers distinguish day from night in extreme environments. The “Polar” offers fantastic legibility and is a refreshing alternative to the more common black dials, remaining a fan favorite in 2025.
The Milgauss: For the Scientific Mind
Rolex’s anti-magnetic watch, designed for scientists, has a quirky design and one particularly fitting nickname.
“Z-Blue”
What it is: The Milgauss model with an electric blue dial paired with a green-tinted sapphire crystal.
The Story: Introduced in 2014, the “Z-Blue” nickname was instantly adopted for this specific dial. It’s paired with the Milgauss’s signature “Glace Verte” (green glass), creating a unique and almost futuristic look that enhances the watch’s quirky appeal.
How Nicknames Shape the Market
These nicknames do more than just make watches easier to identify; they significantly influence demand and market value. A watch with a great nickname has a story, a personality, and a shared history that can make it far more desirable to collectors.
Understanding this language is key to navigating the exciting world of Rolex, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your journey.
<
Now that you’re fluent in the ultimate guide to Rolex watch nicknames as of 2025, perhaps you’re ready to find one for your own wrist.
Explore the legendary world of Rolex and discover these iconic timepieces for yourself.
Visit Buy Best Quality Watches
’s unparalleled selection of Best Quality
, pre-owned Rolex watches. With a wide range of models, from vintage classics to the latest releases, including many of the “nicknamed” watches you’ve just read about, Buy Best Quality Watches
offers meticulously inspected and Best Quality
ated timepieces that are ready to begin their next chapter with you. Shop Our Rolex Collection
<
