Rolex nicknames are informal names collectors give to specific models, almost always based on a bezel colour, a dial look or a quirk of the design. Rolex does not use them officially, so "Pepsi" or "Hulk" is shorthand for a particular colour combination, usually tied to a reference number. This glossary explains the best-known ones, which watch each points to, and where the names are less settled. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk, so every watch mentioned here is sourced to order rather than held in stock.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Nicknames and dates come from collector usage and published references, and a few details differ between sources, so confirm any reference against Rolex's own pages before you buy. Sources: Rolex, Submariner collection and Sotheby's, a guide to Rolex nicknames.
Why do Rolex watches have nicknames?
Collectors needed a quick way to tell near-identical models apart. Several GMT-Master II and Submariner references look alike from a distance, and a single word such as "Batman" separates one bezel from another in a forum post or a dealer chat. The names are informal and can vary by region. All of them come from collectors, and some (Cookie Monster, for example) only caught on after the model launched.
What are the main Rolex GMT-Master II nicknames?
Most GMT nicknames describe the two-colour Cerachrom bezel. The Pepsi is red and blue, the Batman is blue and black, and the Sprite is green and black on a left-handed watch. Browse the full Rolex GMT-Master II collection to see the family together.
- Pepsi. The red and blue bezel, named for the soft-drink logo colours and long linked with the airline crews the original GMT-Master was made for. A steel version with a ceramic bezel returned in 2018, per published references.
- Batman and Batgirl. The blue and black bezel, introduced in ceramic around 2013. "Batgirl" usually means the same bezel on a Jubilee bracelet rather than an Oyster bracelet.
- Sprite. A green and black bezel on a left-handed (lefty) case. We cover it in detail in our guide to the GMT-Master II Sprite 126720VTNR.
- Bruce Wayne. A grey and black Cerachrom bezel, as on the steel GMT-Master II 126710GRNR introduced in 2024 (GRNR is read as gris/noir, French for grey and black). The name is informal and is used loosely for other grey and black bezels, so confirm the reference. This watch's green touches, the 24-hour hand and the GMT-Master II text, are on the dial, not the bezel. For a green and black bezel, see the Sprite 126720VTNR above, or its 2025 white gold version, the 126729VTNR.
What are the Rolex Submariner nicknames?
Submariner nicknames mostly refer to a coloured bezel, sometimes paired with a matching dial. The green ones are the most famous, and the blue white-gold ones have the most playful names. See the Rolex Submariner collection for the current family.
- Kermit. A green bezel with a black dial, linked to the Submariner's 50th anniversary around 2003, and named after the Muppet.
- Hulk. A green bezel with a green dial, which followed the Kermit around 2010.
- Starbucks. A green bezel with a black dial on the larger case, such as the 41 mm Submariner Date family. The name is a nod to the coffee chain's colour. Confusingly, some sources use the label slightly differently, so check the reference.
- Smurf and Cookie Monster. Both are white-gold Submariners with a blue bezel. The Smurf has a blue dial, while the Cookie Monster pairs a black dial with a bright blue bezel. Our comparison of the Smurf and Cookie Monster explains the differences.
What do Panda and other Daytona nicknames mean?
On the Daytona, a Panda is a white dial with black subdials, and a Reverse Panda swaps that to a black dial with white subdials. The names come from the animal's contrast colouring. Other Daytona dial names exist, but these two are the ones people mean most often. See every Rolex Daytona in the range.
Which nickname belongs to which Explorer?
Explorer nicknames are rarer and tend to describe the dial or hands. A white-dial Explorer II is often called a Polar, and the orange-hand Explorer II ref. 1655 is known as the "Steve McQueen" (also "Freccione"). If you are comparing sizes and dials, start with the Rolex Explorer collection.
Quick reference: Rolex nicknames and what they mean
| Nickname | Family | What it describes | Reference or era (as commonly cited) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepsi | GMT-Master II | Red and blue bezel | 126710BLRO in steel (2018) |
| Batman | GMT-Master II | Blue and black bezel | 116710BLNR (2013), 126710BLNR |
| Sprite | GMT-Master II | Green and black bezel, left-handed | 126720VTNR |
| Kermit | Submariner Date | Green bezel, black dial | 16610LV (c. 2003) |
| Hulk | Submariner Date | Green bezel, green dial | 116610LV (c. 2010) |
| Starbucks | Submariner Date | Green bezel, black dial, larger case | 126610LV (c. 2020) |
| Smurf | Submariner, white gold | Blue dial, blue bezel | 116619LB |
| Cookie Monster | Submariner, white gold | Black dial, blue bezel | 126619LB |
| Panda | Daytona | White dial, black subdials | Several references |
| Reverse Panda | Daytona | Black dial, white subdials | Several references |
Are nicknames like Blueberry official?
No, and some are not even settled. Names such as Blueberry were floated for certain blue-bezel models, but collectors never agreed on a single meaning, so the same word can point to different watches depending on who you ask. When a name is not clearly standard, quote the reference number instead and double-check the dial and bezel in photos.
Do nicknames affect which watch you should buy?
They help you narrow the choice, but the reference number is what fixes the watch. Two watches with the same nickname can differ in case size, bracelet, bezel material and movement, and discontinued references can carry different levels of collector interest than current ones. Ask for the full reference, year and paperwork details, and compare them against the manufacturer's pages.
Related reading
Pepsi vs Batman, Smurf vs Cookie Monster and the Sprite GMT-Master II.
Quick answers
What is the Rolex Pepsi?
The Pepsi is the nickname for a GMT-Master or GMT-Master II with a red and blue bezel. The name comes from the colours of the soft-drink logo.
What is the difference between the Batman and the Pepsi?
Only the bezel colours differ at a glance: the Batman is blue and black and the Pepsi is red and blue. Check the reference, bracelet and year, since those change by version.
Which Rolex is the Hulk?
The Hulk is the Submariner Date with a green bezel and a green dial. It followed the Kermit, which has a green bezel and a black dial.
What does Panda mean on a Rolex?
A Panda is a Daytona with a white dial and black subdials. The Reverse Panda has a black dial with white subdials.
Does Rolex use these nicknames?
No. They are collector slang, and Rolex lists watches by name and reference number only.
Get your Rolex sourced
Tell us the model, size, dial and bracelet preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit, so you buy against a real target.
0 comments