Nicknames of Rolex watches: complete guide to the Pepsi, Hulk, Batman & other icons

Surely the most beloved brand among watch enthusiasts, Rolex boasts a rich history and a wealth of iconic models with countless variations and subtle differences. This blend of passion and attention to detail has given rise to a plethora of nicknames commonly used by fans of the Crown.

41Watch has set out to compile, as comprehensively as possible, all the nicknames attributed to the various references—from the most famous to the most obscure—offering a deep dive into the Rolex nickname galaxy.

We’ll explore references to fictional characters, real-life personalities, and of course the unavoidable sodas, before diving into more technical vocabulary that has earned certain references their nicknames based on specific design details.

GMT-Master and GMT-Master II models feature an additional hand that allows them to display the time in two different time zones simultaneously. They are also distinguished by a two-tone rotating bezel, which makes it easy to tell whether the selected time zone is in daylight or nighttime.

These colorful bezel inserts naturally lend themselves to nicknames, as their color combinations often evoke well-known brands. The very first GMT-Master model, reference 6542, released in 1954 for Pan American airline pilots, was quickly nicknamed “Pepsi” due to its red and blue bezel. This nickname has since been used for all subsequent references featuring the same red and blue bezel, including 1675 (produced between 1959 and 1980), 16750 (1981–1988), 16700 (1988–1999), and 126710 (from 2018 to today).

Naturally, references 16760 and 16710 (released respectively in 1983 and 1989, and reissued in 2007), with their black and red bezel, were nicknamed “Coke,” a common English-language shorthand for the Coca-Cola brand.

Introduced in 1971, the steel and rose gold GMT-Master (later replaced by the GMT-Master II in the late 1980s) is characterized by a bezel with golden and copper tones on the GMT-Master, and later by black and chocolate hues on more modern GMT-Master II references. These color combinations earned them the nickname “Rootbeer,” after a plant-based soda that is relatively unknown in Europe but very popular in North America. The references concerned are: 1675/3 (1971–1979), 16753 (1979–1988), 16713 (1989–2007), and since 2018, the reference 126711CHNR.

The younger reference in the GMT-Master II lineup, the 126720VTNR, stands out with its left-sided crown, making it ideal for left-handed wearers who would wear it on their right wrist. As a result, this model is sometimes nicknamed “Destro” (Latin for “right”). However, once again, it is the color of its bezel—green and black—that earned it the obvious nickname “Sprite.”

Let’s move away from sodas and GMT complications—while still sticking with beverage-inspired names—this time with a Submariner, reference 126610LV. Introduced in 2020, it features a 41 mm diameter, a black dial, and above all a green bezel, which earned it the nickname “Starbucks,” after the famous American coffee chain.

Finally, a model with a more unusual nickname, for a watch that is just as distinctive: the 1970s GMT-Master reference 1675, known as the “Blueberry.” It stands out as an anomaly due to its entirely blue bezel. Several legends surround this model, the most entertaining claiming that a heroic employee saved a batch of blue bezels from a fire. Another suggests that Rolex experimented with this solid blue bezel around the same time the brand introduced all-black bezels. The result is an extremely rare and highly sought-after configuration, with prices easily exceeding €50,000.

The reference 126619LB, part of the collection since 2020, features a 41 mm white gold case and a blue bezel paired with a black dial, which earned it the nickname “Cookie Monster.” This model should not be confused with the “Smurf” Submariner, reference 116619LB—also in white gold, but this time with a matching blue dial—discontinued the same year the Cookie Monster was introduced.

Superheroes—an enormous part of American pop culture with global reach—have also inspired Rolex collectors. The most striking example comes from the universe of Batman, which has given no fewer than three nicknames to certain GMT-Master II references.

The reference 116710BLNR made a notable debut in 2013: a 40 mm case, Oyster bracelet, black dial, and above all a blue and black Cerachrom bezel, giving the watch a distinctly bold and masculine aesthetic.

While the nickname “Superman” may seem an obvious fit for the Pepsi due to their shared colors, it is even more so for its white gold version with a meteorite dial, reference 126719BLRO. Another particularly fitting nickname is the one given to the Submariner reference 116610LV, produced between 2010 and 2020, known as the “Hulk” because of its imposing case and its green bezel matching its dial.

Some patinas are particularly distinctive. This is the case with certain bezels of the GMT-Master Pepsi reference 1675, whose red has faded to fuchsia over time, earning the model the nickname “Pink Panther.” One can also mention the Daytona reference 16520 which, when its subdials have developed a brown patina with age, is nicknamed “Darth Vader.”

A model we haven’t mentioned yet, the Rolex Daytona has, in its more recent versions, several nicknames inspired by fictional characters—this time from Japan. For example, the yellow gold reference 116518LN, usually fitted with an OysterFlex bracelet, with a champagne dial and black subdials, is called “Pikachu,” while the version with a black dial and gold subdials is known as “Reverse Pikachu.” The rose gold version is called “Raichu.” White gold versions are nicknamed “Ghost” and “Reverse Ghost,” depending on whether the dial and subdials are white or black.

Still in Japan—but also in mainland China and Hong Kong—it’s not uncommon to see the reference 116500LN referred to as “Godzilla,” in reference to the iconic monster of Japanese pop culture.

Finally, among the more unconventional nicknames, Rolex models in steel and gold fitted with a Cerachrom bezel are sometimes referred to as “Zombie,” due to their resistance to impacts.

Still in steel and gold, this time with a blue bezel and dial, the Submariner reference 126613LB has been given the nickname “Bluesy,” a colloquial term used to describe music that has a blues-like feel. That said, it’s very likely that the model owes its nickname simply to the color of its dial and bezel.

When discussing Rolex nicknames, one personality immediately comes to mind: Paul Newman. Not only was he an icon of cinema and masculine elegance, but he also lent his name not just to a single model, but to an entire range of Daytona watches—so much so that his name is now inseparable from the model.

Indeed, Paul Newman—actor and motorsport enthusiast—was gifted a Rolex Daytona reference 6239 by his wife, engraved on the caseback with “Drive carefully. Me.” This watch, sold in 2017 for €17 million, remains for many the Paul Newman Daytona. The same nickname is also attributed to references 6241, 6240, 6262, 6264, 6265, and 6263.

A French specificity of the latter model: the steel 6263 with its “Sigma” dial (a Greek letter placed at the bottom of the dial indicating the presence of gold, usually in the hour markers), dating from 1974 with a black dial and white subdials, was worn by Jean-Paul Belmondo in the film Peur sur la ville.

The actor’s personal watch, this reference is nicknamed in France “Bébel” or “Belmondo.” Also worth noting is the yellow gold “Paul Newman” reference 6241, known as the “John Player Special.” This name refers to a cigarette brand that long sponsored the Lotus F1 Team, whose black and gold colors echo those of the 6241.

To go further on Paul Newman dials, check out our reference articles below:

• Real and Fake Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Dials: How to Distinguish Them?
• Getting to know a Daytona Paul Newman "Sotto"
• Complete review of Rolex Daytona 6239 Paul Newman

Before the Newman, before the Belmondo, there was the “Jean-Claude Killy,” named after the French alpine skier and racing driver Jean-Claude Killy. This refers to reference 6236—officially a Rolex Dato-Compax—equipped with the Valjoux 72c movement, both shock-resistant and anti-magnetic.

Few collectors have the privilege of having their name associated with a model, and this was first the case for the Italian auctioneer Osvaldo Patrizzi. He identified a distinctive feature of the Daytona reference 16520: the varnish applied to the dial had a defect and did not fully cover the subdials, which over time created a unique patina. As a result, 16520 models with this aging effect are commonly referred to as “Patrizzi” Daytonas.

Another collector (and musician) who gave an unofficial nickname to a model, John Mayer brought significant attention to the Daytona 116508 in 18k yellow gold with a sunburst green dial.

As we’ve seen throughout this article, the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II have been given a wide variety of nicknames to help collectors navigate the many references. Yet there is one actress whose name was attributed—somewhat involuntarily—to a model: Sophia Loren.

Indeed, the reference 16760—also known as the “Coke” for its black and red bezel—is sometimes nicknamed “Sophia Loren.” This model is distinguished by a thicker case, similar to that of a Submariner. Its more generous proportions reminded some enthusiasts of the iconic curves of the Italian film star of the 1960s and 1970s. Others, less flattering, have referred to the 16760 as the “Fat Lady.”

Another movie star from that era, Steve McQueen, is closely linked to the world of watchmaking. He notably popularized the TAG Heuer Monaco by wearing it in the film Le Mans, but the actor and racing driver was also a fan of the crown brand.

He notably owned a Submariner reference 5512, which sold at auction for $239,000 in 2019. However, his name would go on to be used as a nickname for another model: the Rolex Explorer II reference 1655, produced only between 1971 and 1985.

This model, also equipped with a GMT complication, stands out thanks to its orange 24-hour hand, which contrasts sharply with the understated black dial. This large hand also earned it the nickname “Freccione,” an Italian portmanteau of freccia (arrow) and arancione (orange). The white dial version of this same model, meanwhile, is nicknamed “Polar.”

Since sport and watchmaking are closely intertwined, it sometimes happens that brand ambassadors unofficially lend their names to certain models or specific configurations. The most recent example is Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.

After winning six Grand Slam titles at just 22 years old, he lifted the US Open trophy last year wearing a Rolex Daytona reference 126518LN in yellow gold, featuring a “Tiffany” dial—a name given to the iconic turquoise blue associated with the New York jewelry house Tiffany & Co..

Still in recent history, this time it’s a filmmaker who lent his name to one of the brand’s most extreme—and hardest to wear—references. While all the nicknames mentioned earlier were coined by enthusiasts, only James Cameron has had the privilege of a special edition officially marketed by the brand.

The director—known for breaking box office records with Titanic and Avatar—is also passionate about deep-sea exploration. In 2012, the American filmmaker reached the deepest point in the oceans, Challenger Deep, aboard a submersible.

Supported in this endeavor by the Swiss brand, Rolex developed for the occasion reference 126067: a 50 mm watch capable of withstanding the pressure at depths of over 11,000 meters. A fitting reminder that Rolex is, above all, a maker of tool watches—designed as companions for explorers determined to push beyond the limits of the known world.

Finally, while Rolex’s history is closely tied to that of motor racing—as illustrated by the Daytona 126529LN, nicknamed “Le Mans,” unveiled for the race’s 100th anniversary with a dial paying tribute to Paul Newman—the crown brand also shares a deep connection with aviation.

The GMT-Master and GMT-Master II are perfect companions for pilots, notably those of Pan Am, for whom these models were originally designed, but also for those flying the Concorde—the Franco-British aircraft that gave its nickname to the yellow gold reference 1675/8 with a brown bezel. This rare reference stands out thanks to its baton hands, contrasting with the rest of the range.

As for the Pepsi, reference 16750, it is sometimes nicknamed “Chuck Yeager,” after Chuck Yeager, the pilot who, in 1947, became the first to break the sound barrier aboard his Bell X-1.

Before the GMT-Master, there was the Rolex Turn-O-Graph—a variant of the Datejust with a rotating bezel—nicknamed “Thunderbird,” after the U.S. Air Force’s bomber aircraft. Indeed, these models, sometimes featuring the aircraft’s emblem on the dial, were awarded to distinguished US Air Force pilots.

A brand with the reach of Rolex naturally fuels passion and today enjoys a cult-like aura in the collective imagination. Enthusiasts and newcomers alike have come up with a multitude of nicknames to refer to the brand’s various references—whether through color associations, tributes to notable figures who wore them, or more subtle details that make all the difference.

We hope this overview has helped you navigate more clearly through the different references and given you useful landmarks within the world of the crown brand. As for the future, it’s safe to assume that with upcoming releases and the passage of time, collectors will continue to invent new nicknames to describe the models and references of their beloved brand.