Selling Guide
Rolex Kermit vs Hulk
Aug
When it comes to the Submariner Kermit and Hulk, the colour green and Rolex go hand in hand. Everyone in the neighbourhood is familiar with these models by their unusual names, which are undoubtedly not those of the brand.
Regardless, both of these are considered legends by enthusiasts, celebrities, and collectors alike. Which one, though, is best for you?
ABOUT THE ROLEX KERMIT
For the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner, which made its debut in 1953, the Rolex Kermit or Submariner ref. 16610LV was introduced in 2003. The Kermit broke the mould by introducing a green aluminium bezel paired with a black dial, breaking the rule that colour along the bezel was only used for GMT Masters at this time.
It had the same 40mm case size, 13mm thickness, and’maxi-dial’ design, which, of course, improves visibility by using larger hands and markers. The Rolex calibre 3135, a chronometer-certified movement also used in the other Subs, was housed inside the 300m water-resistant case.
The Kermit saw minor modifications over the course of its seven-year existence. The most notable is the “Flat 4,” a nickname for Kermits with a flat-headed “4” on the bezel. These would also have an olive-green bezel, earning them the moniker “Bertolli” after the olive oil manufacturer.
The Rolex ref. 116610LV, Hulk, took the Kermit’s place once it was discontinued in 2010 and continues to be manufactured after that. The Kermit was reintroduced in 2020 as the ref. 126610LV, but the community quickly gave it a new moniker, such as Starbucks or Cermit (pronounced “shermit” to indicate its ceramic bezel).
ABOUT THE ROLEX HULK
As previously indicated, the Kermit ref. 16610LV was replaced by the Rolex Hulk ref. 116610LV in 2010. The case’s size didn’t alter. Technically speaking, however, the big squared-off lugs typical of contemporary Rolex design did give it a more dominant wrist presence.
The dial was now a handsome green as well, which some found beautiful and others divisive. The bezel remained a nice green. A ceramic inlay was now used to complete the bezel, increasing its scratch resistance. The watch’s durability and 300m water resistance persisted, and the movement was unaltered.
This updated Kermit ref. 126610LV served as the heir apparent to the original Kermit until manufacture of it was halted in 2020.
ROLEX KERMIT VS HULK: WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE
The movement’s mainspring, the case’s crystal, and the lume on the bezel make up the bulk of the issue at hand. Which of these two (or three) Rolex Submariner models would suit you the best? There are several factors to take into account, ranging from availability and cost to sheer aesthetics.
Despite the fact that two of the three possibilities share the same name, we will consider all three. As a point of reference, the ‘Kermit’ is the 16610LV, while the ‘Kermit 2.0’ is the 126610LV. Even if Rolex itself doesn’t give these names, we are technically free to call them whatever we choose. However, some people prefer Starbucks.
Please remember to buy the watch you desire before we continue. Avoid being swayed by salespeople, advertising, or internet debates. Purchase a watch that can tell you more than the time.
APPEARANCE
The Kermit is the first watch we’ll look at. It has an odd combination of a black “maxi-dial” and a vivid green aluminium bezel insert. Of course, this green is a subtle allusion to the colour of the Crown, but even so, some felt that this combination was excessive at the time. Since then, watch design has advanced and changed—in 2023, we even witnessed an emoji-filled Day-Date!
The Kermit was the first watch to push the Submariner’s colour modifications, and throughout the watch’s seven-year production life, various bezel colours have been used. In reality, the dial and bezel each have a minimum of six and a maximum of five modifications, respectively. The MK 1 with the “Flat 4” bezel design and broad “ROLEX” in the word “O” is among the most sought-after models. For the brand of olive oil, the olive-green bezel variations are known as “Bertolli.”
Given that these older models may seem small in comparison to more modern dive alternatives, the case design might not be to everyone’s taste. Thus, the 16610LV Kermit is unquestionably for you if you desire a lean, mean, and environmentally friendly machine.
The release of the 116610LV Hulk occurs in the 2010s. This Sub, which is named after the large green superhero from Marvel, went all-out green by swapping the black dial for a sunburst green one. Again, the public wasn’t entirely sold when the Hulk was first released, but over time, most people have grown to enjoy it, and many celebrities have worn it, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland, and Jonah Hill.
The redesigned bezel is a richer shade of green and is constructed of ceramic (Cerachrom). Each casing has a diameter of 40mm. The “Rolex Super Case” on the Hulk, on the other hand, has noticeably wider lugs and crown guards. Here, the diameter doesn’t really tell the whole story because the Hulk looks much chunkier and more angular than the original.
The bracelet for The Hulk was also updated with the addition of an Oysterlock safety clasp and a Glidelock extension mechanism, allowing for tool-free changes in 2mm increments. However, the Kermit has the traditional Oysterlock clasp.
And the Kermit 2.0 was released in 2020 (along with a minor upgrade in 2023). With the return of a black dial and a similar bezel to the Hulk, the Kermit 2.0 returned to its beginnings.
But in 2023, when the (unofficial) MK 2 Kermit 2.0 made its appearance with a darker shade of green along the bezel, this was slightly altered. This was a small change that most people didn’t even notice, but because it was only manufactured from September 2020 to May 2023, it makes the MK 1 Kermit 2.0 somewhat unique.
Nevertheless, the newest green Submariner also had some more cunning plans. It increased in breadth by one millimetre, reaching a substantial 41mm. Although the lug width had increased to 21mm, they were also generally thinner. The most recent models of Submariners wear are far smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors thanks to these design advancements.
MOVEMENTS
In the world of horology, Rolex is renowned for using some of the most dependable and accurate movements. If you take care of your watch, current Rolex movements have all received the COSC seal of approval and are proven to last for decades.
The Rolex calibre 3135 was used to debut the Kermit. These exercises are a part of the 1977-introduced 3035 movement system. The cal. 3135, which had 31 jewels and a duo-directional rotor, was released in 1988. It had a power reserve of 48 hours.
Additionally, it had a frequency of 28.800 BPH and was well known for being dependable. Additionally, the brand’s longest-running movement is the cal. 3135. The 116610LV Hulk actually had the same movement.
The 126610LV Kermit 2.0 marked the single modification to the movements. 2015 saw the introduction of the cal. 3135, which was used in models such the Datejust, Sea-Dweller, and Deepsea Sea-Dweller.
According to Rolex, the Calibre 3235 has over 90% new parts that are covered by 14 different patents. It offers Chronergy Escapement, which is an improved efficiency mainspring with a longer length enclosed inside a barrel with thinner walls. This maintained the same dimensions as the 3135 but increasing the power reserve to 70 hours.
The cal. 3125 also features a monoblock rotor, which contributes to the higher power reserve, and Paraflex shock absorbers for improved robustness.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
For those of you who struggle to read dates, the 16610LV Kermit and 116610LV Hulk are no longer available directly from Rolex unless you pursue the ‘Rolex® Certified Pre-Owned’ way. Therefore, the grey market or private collectors would be the best places for the majority of us to look when trying to buy someone from a previous generation.
The cost of watches has significantly increased recently, which regrettably keeps many lovers from owning the majority of timepieces. Let’s examine the cost of the three models separately, of course, without taking into account whole sets, conditioning, etc. These are the typical prices that we notice being applied.
Rolex Submariner Kermit 16610LV
The Kermit’s worth will probably rise with time, especially the sought-after models. While prices are currently being corrected following the 2020 surge, investors’ overall prospects remain positive.
Once the prices have been rectified, it is also very likely that the price of the Hulk will keep rising. Even though the Kermit was one of the last Subs to have a steel bezel, it would stand to reason that it would be the one that would eventually become more desirable.
VALUE RETENTION & INVESTMENT
This is the point at which speculation and trends diverge. Many think that the Kermit 2.0 will soon be consigned to history and will not last very long. This presents, as usual, a huge opportunity for people to assemble and store coffee for a rainy day. We all know that Rolex watches keep their worth over time (and almost always increase in value), therefore many people end up investing in watches. Which do you choose, though?
The Kermit will always be the first and right now has the best return on investment, but only if you purchased it when it was initially released at retail. It is a fantastic offering on the present market, but it is also vulnerable to fakes, particularly the “Flat 4” variants. You have to be a little more careful when buying vintage timepieces because things like polishing and what’s included in the lot can have a big impact on the price.
In spite of this, the Kermit 1.0 has produced excellent results—but only if you can afford it. The Hulk, which is appealing to grownups who have some money to spend, is hitting the sweet spot. When the Hulk first appeared, they were assistants; today, they have promotions and higher salaries. They developed a romantic relationship with the green monster and are now prepared to part with their hard-earned money because they can.
This may be the reason the Hulk is selling for a little bit more than anticipated at the time. It’s also doubtful that the Sub will ever again feature a green-on-green colour scheme, but only time will tell.
Rolex is still making the Kermit 2.0, but it won’t offer the same return on investment as the models indicated above. Because, well, anyone can still purchase one (but not everyone…). And here’s where you could possibly earn some money! You can still make a profit if you sell it right away if you can purchase it from an authorised dealer.
However, if we are to follow the tendencies of every single other sports model created by the Crown, you will get an even higher return if you put your Kermit 2.0 away for a few years, especially ’till after it’s been discontinued – just look at what happened to the Milgauss in 2023.
CONCLUSION
There is no other green like Rolex green. It emanates grandeur and, to those of us who are aware, signifies reliability, business, and style—a rare combination in today’s society. From the Milgauss’s single green sapphire to the Hulk Submariner’s entire green dial, the use of green on Rolex watches has increased enormously.
The Starbucks is currently holding the torch for the Crown’s lunette verte models, and it’s doing an excellent job. respected by everyone, but loved by most. That being said, there is always the original Kermit or the no longer produced Hulk if you would like your green machine to be a little leaner or even greener.
Whatever you decide, it will undoubtedly make you grin and attract positive attention.
