Watch Nicknames Explained: Batman, Pepsi, Hulk and More
Watch nicknames explained: Batman, Pepsi, Hulk, Kermit, Sprite, Root Beer, Smurf, Cookie Monster, Panda, Jumbo and more, with the reference behind each.
By Dejan Zoric
Updated 4 min read
The short answer
Watch nicknames are informal names collectors and dealers give to specific references, usually based on colours, a famous wearer or a story. The best-known are Rolex's: the Batman (blue and black GMT-Master II bezel), Pepsi (blue and red), Hulk (green Submariner), Kermit (green bezel, black dial) and Sprite (left-handed green and black GMT). Each nickname points to specific references, so always confirm the full reference before a deal.
Key takeaways
- Nicknames usually come from colours, wearers or stories.
- One nickname can cover several references and generations.
- Some references have more than one nickname.
- Always confirm the full reference before agreeing a price.
- Nicknames are how many buyers search, so use them in listings alongside the reference.
On this page
Ask a dealer for a "126710BLNR" and they'll know exactly what you mean. Ask for a "Batman" and they'll know too, a little faster. Nicknames are the trade's shorthand: quick, memorable and everywhere. But they can be ambiguous, so it pays to know which references sit behind each one.
Nicknames usually come from colours (Pepsi, Root Beer), characters (Batman, Hulk, Kermit), famous wearers (John Mayer) or stories (Tiffany). Here are the ones you'll hear most. For how reference numbers work, see watch reference numbers explained.
Rolex GMT-Master II
| Nickname | Reference(s) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Batman | 116710BLNR, 126710BLNR | Blue and black bezel (BLNR = bleu/noir) |
| Batgirl | 126710BLNR on Jubilee bracelet | The Batman on the Jubilee bracelet |
| Pepsi | 126710BLRO (steel), 126719BLRO (white gold), 16710 | Blue and red bezel (BLRO = bleu/rouge) |
| Coke | 16710 | Red and black bezel |
| Bruce Wayne | 126710GRNR | Grey and black bezel |
| Sprite / Destro | 126720VTNR | Green and black bezel, crown on the left side |
| Root Beer | 126711CHNR, 126715CHNR | Brown and black bezel, in Everose Rolesor or Everose gold |
Rolex Submariner
| Nickname | Reference(s) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Kermit | 16610LV | Green bezel, black dial |
| Hulk | 116610LV | Green bezel, green dial |
| Starbucks (also Kermit) | 126610LV | Green bezel, black dial, current generation |
| Smurf | 116619LB | White gold, blue bezel, blue dial |
| Cookie Monster | 126619LB | White gold, blue bezel, black dial |
| Bluesy | 116613LB, 126613LB | Steel and yellow gold, blue bezel and dial |
Rolex Daytona
| Nickname | Reference(s) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Panda | 116500LN, 126500LN (white dial) | White dial, black subdials and bezel |
| John Mayer | 116508, 126508 | Yellow gold, green dial, after the musician |
| Le Mans | 126529LN | Commemorates the Le Mans 24 Hours |
| Zenith Daytona | 16520 | Used a movement based on Zenith's El Primero |
Other Rolex
| Nickname | Reference(s) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Polar | 16570, 216570, 226570 (white dial) | Explorer II with a white dial |
| Wimbledon | 126334 (slate dial, green Roman numerals) | Datejust dial in Wimbledon colours |
| D-Blue | 116660, 126660, 136660 | Sea-Dweller Deepsea with blue-to-black gradient dial |
| Red Sea-Dweller | 126600 (first series) | Red "Sea-Dweller" text on the dial |
| Z-Blue | 116400GV (blue dial) | Milgauss with a blue dial |
Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and more
| Nickname | Reference(s) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo (AP) | 15202, 16202 | Extra-thin 39mm Royal Oak, closest to the 1972 original |
| Panda (AP) | 26331ST (white dial), 26300ST | Royal Oak Chronograph with contrasting subdials |
| Black Panther (AP) | 26620IO | Royal Oak Concept from the Marvel collaboration |
| Tiffany (Patek) | 5711/1A-018 | Tiffany-blue Nautilus dial, 170 pieces |
| Jumbo (Patek) | 3700/1A | The original 1976 Nautilus |
| Moonwatch (Omega) | Speedmaster Professional | The Speedmaster worn on the Moon missions |
| Snoopy (Omega) | Several Speedmaster editions | Honours NASA's Silver Snoopy award |
| Snowflake (Grand Seiko) | SBGA211 | Textured white dial inspired by snow |
Why nicknames can be risky
- One nickname, several watches. "Pepsi" covers vintage, previous and current generations, steel and white gold, at very different prices.
- One watch, several nicknames. The 126610LV is the Starbucks to some dealers and the Kermit to others.
- Variants matter. A nickname won't tell you the bracelet, card date, condition or set.
Always confirm the full reference (and dial, bracelet and year) before agreeing a price. In listings, use both: the reference for precision, the nickname for searchability (see how to write a watch listing that sells).
Where nicknames come from (and why they aren't official)
Almost all of these names were invented by collectors, dealers and the watch press, not by the brands. Brands generally describe their watches by reference, material and colour in their own catalogues, so you won't usually find "Hulk" or "Batman" on a guarantee card or in a brand's price list. A few names grew so common that the whole trade uses them, but they remain informal, and different markets sometimes use different names for the same watch.
That has two practical consequences:
- A nickname proves nothing about the watch. It's a description someone chose. The reference, serial and papers are what identify it.
- New nicknames appear all the time. When a new colourway launches, a name usually follows within weeks, and for a while several compete. If you hear one you don't know, ask for the reference rather than guessing.
How to handle a nickname request
When a client or another dealer says "I'm looking for a Pepsi", treat it as the start of the conversation, not the end. Before you search or quote a price, pin down:
- Which generation. A vintage aluminium-bezel GMT-Master, a 16710 and a current ceramic 126710BLRO are very different watches at very different prices.
- Which metal. Steel and white gold versions can share a nickname.
- Which bracelet. On some references, Jubilee and Oyster bracelet versions trade differently, and some buyers care strongly.
- Dial and year. Dial variants and card dates can matter as much as the model.
- Set and condition. Full set or watch only, unworn or worn.
Write the answers down next to the full reference. Then everyone in the deal is talking about the same watch. Our guide on how to find a specific watch for a client covers the rest of the process.
Common nickname mistakes
- Listing a Kermit as a Hulk (or the other way round). The dial colour settles it: black is the Kermit family, green is the Hulk.
- Assuming "Batman" means Oyster bracelet. Some dealers reserve "Batman" for the Oyster version and "Batgirl" for the Jubilee; others use Batman for both. State the bracelet.
- Using a nickname as the only title. Buyers searching by reference won't find it, and buyers searching by nickname may expect a different generation.
- Taking a nickname at face value. A seller who describes a watch only by nickname, with no reference, serial or clear photos, is a reason to ask more questions, not fewer.
Looking for a specific nickname for a client? A Looking For request on Soda alerts you the moment a verified dealer lists one.
The bottom line
Watch nicknames are the trade's shorthand, from the Batman and Pepsi to the Hulk, Kermit, Cookie Monster and Jumbo. They're useful and fun, but they can cover several references, so always confirm the full reference, dial and bracelet before money changes hands.
Find any nickname on Soda
On Soda, verified dealers search a marketplace of every member's stock by reference or nickname, see real dealer price history and get Looking For alerts. No commissions on your trades. See all features, then apply for access or book a demo.
Questions dealers ask
What is the Rolex Batman?
The Batman is the steel Rolex GMT-Master II with a blue and black bezel (BLNR): reference 116710BLNR on the Oyster bracelet, and 126710BLNR. The 126710BLNR on a Jubilee bracelet is often called the Batgirl.
What's the difference between the Rolex Hulk and Kermit?
The Hulk (116610LV) has a green dial and green bezel. The Kermit (16610LV) has a green bezel with a black dial. The newer 126610LV, also green bezel and black dial, is often called the Starbucks, and sometimes Kermit too.
What is the Rolex Cookie Monster?
The Cookie Monster is the white gold Submariner Date 126619LB, with a blue bezel and black dial. Its predecessor with a blue dial, the 116619LB, is known as the Smurf.
Are watch nicknames official names?
Usually not. Most nicknames were coined by collectors, dealers and the watch press, and brands generally describe their watches by reference, material and colour instead. That's why the reference, not the nickname, is what you should confirm in any deal.
What is an Audemars Piguet Jumbo?
The Jumbo is the extra-thin 39mm Royal Oak, closest to the original 1972 design, including references 15202 and its successor 16202.