Nicknames for Rolex Watches
The Rolex watches were first nicknamed in forums a few years ago. Currently, collectors all over the world as well as auction houses, retailers and enthusiasts use nicknames to identify a Rolex. Some of them already stand for well-known icons in the world of Rolex collecting, such as Paul Newman or James Bond while others are quite recent and funny. We’re sharing here some of the most commonly used nicknames for Rolex watches:
Bart Simpson
In the dial of the reference 5513, the watch crown calls to mid thebrush-like hair of Bart Simpson character, hence the nickname "Bart Simpson Dial".
Batgirl
GMT-Master II with blue and black bezel and Jubilee bracelet.
Batman
GMT-Master II with blue and black bezel and Oyster bracelet.
Bluesy
The name "Bluesy" refers to all steel and gold (Rolesor) Submariners with a blue dial and bezel. This includes the references 16803, 16613, 116613, and 126613.
Buckley
A Day-Date or a Datejust kind of dial in which the Roman numerals are painted in, and not applied to it. The nickname comes from John Buckley, a New York collector/dealer and a great fan of that specific dial.
California Dial
The “California dial” has Roman numerals on its upper part and Arabic ones on its lower part.
Coke or Coca-Cola
GMT-Master with red and black bezel.
Cookie Monster
In 2020, Rolex launched a Submariner with the reference 126619LB which boasts a black dial and blue bezel, which swiftly earned the nickname COOKIE MONSTER. Cookie is a large monster with blue fur and prominent, swivelling eye sockets that bear a resemblance to the watch's big hour markers.
Double Red
Submariner with doublered writing.
Eye of the Tiger
GMT-Master with a bronze dial called "tiger’s eye” after the similarity with the colour of tiger’s iris.
Feet first
Dial displaying depth in “feet” first, and then in “meters”.
Gabus
Chronograph with a square case (Ref. 8206).
Gulda Dial
The coral dial was nicknamed Gulda in homage to the famous pianist Friedrich Gulda, who wore it during his concerts..
Hulk
Submariner ref. 116610LV with green dial and bezel.
James Bond
Submariner “no date” without protection on the winding crown (ref. 6204, 6205, 6200, 6538, 6538A, 6536, 6536/1, 5508, 5510).
Kermit
Submariner Date with green bezel (ref 16610LV).
Lavender Dial
Oyster Perpetual with a "lavender" dial: a particular shade of purple.
Leopard
Yellow gold Daytona, ref 116598 SACO, with speckled leather strap and leopard-skin print dial.
Meters first
A dial displaying depth in “meters” first, and then in “feet”.
Nipple Dial
These dials have their hour markers that protrude slightly from the dial surface—resembling small nipples”.
Padellone
The Rolex MOON PHASE dates to 1949 with the creation of the ref. 8171 (ø 38 mm), better known as the “Padellone” (a nickname given by Italian collectors for its relatively large size at the time of its production).
Panda
Daytona with white dial and black counters.
Patrizzi
Daytona with counters tending to a brown colour tone (ref 16520).
Paul Newman
Highly exclusive design and colour combinations for the “Newman” dial (light shade dial -dark counters and vice versa).
Paul Newman John Player Special - “JPS”
Rare P.N. dial that matches the colour scheme of the John Player Special Lotus Formula 1 livery from the 1970s (black and gold).
Pepsi
GMT-Master with redand blue bezel.
Pikachu Dial
A Rolex Daytona model, ref. 116508 and 116518LN, with a a champagne dial and black sub-dials. The watch was given the nickname 'Pikachu' due to its color scheme being similar to that of the well-known Pokémon character, PIKACHU.
Octopus/ Polipetto
Sea-Dweller made for the State Police Diving Unit with reference 16600T. The dial shows the logo of the Unit: a small octopus.
Pussy Galore
GMT-Master with a thicker case (ref 6542).
Rainbow
In the Rainbow models, the tachymeter scale of the bezel is replaced by sapphires in the same chromatic sequence of the rainbow.
Root Beer
In the GMT "Root Beer" models, the bezel insert is two-tone: brown and gold.
Smurf
White gold Submariner with blue bezel and blue dial.
Spider Dial
On the “Spider Dial,” the black color has turned into a cobweb through aging, thus generating small surface cracks that, today, add value to the watch.
Sprite/Lefty
Ref. 126720VTNR with black/green bezel and winding crown on the left side of the watchcase.
Starbucks
A hybrid of Kermit and Hulk, with a green bezel and a black dial.
Stella
Vintage Day-Date with coloured enamel dial.
Steve McQueen / Freccione
The first Explorer II with ref. 1655.
Texan
It was produced for only about two years: the reference 5100 - with an imposing case in solid gold - was nicknamed TEXAN because it reminded one of the undiplomatic yet tough and overbearing character of a wealthy Texas magnate.
Triple Six
Sea-Dweller (ref. 16660).
You can find all these models in the three volumes of the “NEW ROLEX ENCYCLOPEDIA" You'll come across many other Rolex nicknames and you’ll be able to learn everything about modern and vintage Rolex watches from 1905 until today.
