Rolex may be the most important name in Swiss watchmaking, but its collectors? Not so much. For a brand that doesn’t name anything beyond its model families, fans have come up with an entire underground language—colour-coded, celebrity-laced, and completely bonkers at times. These nicknames didn’t come from Geneva; they were born in forums, auction houses, and obsessive collector chats, then passed down like folklore.

So whether you’re new to the hunt or halfway to a full set, here are the 17 most iconic Rolex nicknames every real collector should know. No fluff, no filler—just the ones that actually matter.

1. Pepsi

(GMT-Master/II, red and blue bezel)
The OG of Rolex nicknames. The Pepsi bezel was designed for Pan Am pilots in the ’50s, but collectors quickly ditched the airline tie-in for something fizzier. It’s the most recognisable bi-colour bezel in the world, full stop.

2. Submariner ‘Hulk’

(Ref. 116610LV)
All green everything—ceramic bezel, sunburst dial, maxi case. It’s loud, it’s modern, it’s built like it could bench press you. Love it or hate it, the Hulk defines modern Sub swagger.

3. Submariner ‘Kermit’

(Ref. 16610LV)
The Hulk’s sleeker predecessor, released for the Sub’s 50th anniversary in 2003. Black dial, aluminium green bezel, and a lighter, more old-school vibe. A fan favourite before fan service was a thing.

4. Batman

(Ref. 116710BLNR, GMT-Master II)
The black-and-blue bezel GMT that kicked off a mini franchise of its own. Originally paired with the sporty Oyster bracelet, this 2013 release became instantly known as the Batman. In 2019, Rolex swapped the bracelet for a Jubilee, giving rise to the sleeker Batgirl. And in 2024, the line went full noir with the Bruce Wayne—a black-and-grey variant that’s more low-key billionaire than caped crusader.

5. Paul Newman

(Refs. 6239, 6241, 6263, etc., Daytona)
If the watch world had a Mona Lisa, this would be it. Characterised by exotic dials with square sub-register markers and funky fonts, the Paul Newman Daytona wasn’t initially popular—but after a Hodinkee-fuelled rediscovery and a record-breaking auction, it became the grail.

6. John Mayer

(Ref. 116508, yellow gold Daytona with green dial)
You can thank Talking Watches for this one. When Mayer showcased this green-dial, yellow gold Daytona, the market lost its mind. What was once overlooked became an instant icon. There's also a newer gold-subdial version some call “John Mayer 2.0.” Still sings.

7. Smurf

(Ref. 116619LB)
White gold Submariner with an all-blue dial and bezel. The name sounds silly, but the watch wears serious. Cool-toned, heavy as hell, and an early flex in the ceramic era.

8. Root Beer

(Various GMT-Master refs., brown and gold bezel)
Brown and gold might sound odd on paper, but it works like vintage magic on the wrist. First launched in the ‘70s and now reborn in modern GMTs, the Root Beer is sweet, nostalgic, and full of character. Add Clint Eastwood if you’re talking about the exact model the man wore on-screen and off.

9. Rainbow

(Ref. 116595RBOW and others, Daytona)
A literal rainbow of sapphires on the bezel, paired with diamond indices and maximum drama. Originally dismissed as too much, it’s now one of the most coveted Daytonas of all time. Subtle? Absolutely not. Iconic? No question.

10. James Bond / Big Crown

(Ref. 6538 Submariner)
Seen on Sean Connery’s wrist in Dr. No, this Sub is famous for its lack of crown guards and oversized winding crown. It’s not just a Bond watch—it’s the Bond watch.

11. Wimbledon

(Ref. 126234, Datejust)
Grey sunray dial, green Roman numerals, and a name born from Rolex’s long-standing partnership with tennis’s classiest tournament. Federer wore one. So can you. The 36mm ref. 126234—with a fluted white gold bezel—is the version most often associated with the nickname, though 41mm variants exist too.

12. James Cameron

(Ref. 116660 / 136660, Deepsea Sea-Dweller)
Built to survive the Mariana Trench, this beast sports a blue-to-black gradient dial that mirrors the descent into the deep. Made to honour the director’s solo dive—and now its own legend.

13. Bart Simpson

(Ref. 5513, mid-’60s Submariner)
The coronet on this vintage Sub has short, stubby spikes that apparently resemble Bart’s hair. It’s a nerdy detail only collectors care about, which is exactly why it matters.

14. Fat Lady / Sophia Loren

(Ref. 16760, GMT-Master II)
When Rolex introduced the first GMT-Master II in the ‘80s, the case was chunkier than before. Collectors nicknamed it the Fat Lady—affectionate, not derogatory. Italians, always more poetic, called it Sophia Loren.

15. President

(Day-Date, all refs.)
The Day-Date nickname that stuck—not because Rolex created it, but because it was inevitable. Worn by U.S. Presidents since Lyndon B. Johnson, and paired with a bracelet Rolex itself named the “President,” this is the rare case where a collector-coined nickname overlaps with official Rolex terminology. Still unofficial—but backed by real power.

16. Sprite

(Ref. 126720VTNR, GMT-Master II)
A modern twist for lefties. This “destro” GMT has its crown on the left, paired with a green-and-black bezel—instantly sparking soda-inspired déjà vu. Not quite a Pepsi, but still sweet.

17. Pikachu

(Ref. 116518LN, Daytona)
Yellow gold case, yellow dial, black subdials, rubber strap. The colour scheme mirrors everyone’s favourite electric Pokémon—and yes, collectors have actually started calling it the Pikachu. Gotta catch 'em all, I guess.

Honourable Mentions (if you must flex further):

• John Player Special (Black and gold Daytona, named after Lotus F1 livery)
• Big Red (Daytona ref. 6263 with bold red “Daytona” text)
• Double Red (Early Sea-Dweller with two red lines of text)
• Stella (Day-Date dials in bright lacquered tones from the ’70s)
• Jean-Claude Killy (Triple-calendar Rolex chronos named for the ski legend)