{"id":6318,"date":"2023-07-19T15:39:02","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T19:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exquisitetimepieces.com\/blog\/?p=6318"},"modified":"2025-06-07T11:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T15:07:14","slug":"rolex-kermit-vs-hulk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exquisitetimepieces.com\/blog\/rolex-kermit-vs-hulk\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Kermit vs Hulk: Which Green Beast Should YOU Buy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The color green and Rolex go hand in hand; this couldn\u2019t be more true than with the Submariner Kermit <\/em>and Hulk. <\/em>They have odd names and are surely not named like that by the brand, but everyone in the community knows these models by these names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, both of these have gained legendary status amongst collectors, celebrities, and enthusiasts alike. But which one is right for you<\/em>? <\/p>\"bot-only-image\"<\/a>\"bot-only-image\"<\/a>\n\n\n\n

About the Rolex Kermit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Rolex Kermit<\/em><\/a> <\/em>or Submariner ref. 16610LV was released in 2003 for the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner, which initially debuted in 1953. The use of color along the bezel was only reserved for GMT Masters at this point, but the Kermit <\/em>broke the mold with the introduction of a green aluminum bezel matched with a black dial.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It sported the same compact 40mm case with a 13mm thickness and \u2018maxi-dial\u2019 style, which, of course, increases visibility through the use of larger hands and markers. Within the 300m waterproof case was the Rolex caliber 3135, a chronometer-certified movement also used in the other Subs<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the 7-year production, there were slight changes to the Kermit. <\/em>The main being the \u2018Flat 4\u2019, a name given to Kermits <\/em>with a flat-headed \u20184\u2019 on the bezel. These would also have an olive-green colored bezel and got the nickname \u2018Bertolli\u2019 for the olive oil brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kermit <\/em>remained in production until 2010, before it was discontinued and replaced with the Rolex ref. 116610LV, Hulk<\/em>. The Kermit <\/em>was rereleased in 2020 as the ref. 126610LV, but many in the community gave it a new nickname like Starbucks <\/em>or Cermit <\/em>(pronounced \u2018shermit\u2019 to denote its ceramic bezel). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Rolex Hulk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, the Rolex Hulk <\/em>ref. 116610LV was released in 2010 to replace the outgoing Kermit <\/em>ref. 16610LV. The case remained unchanged in dimensions. Technically, however, it did offer more wrist presence thanks to the large squared-off lugs synonymous with modern Rolex design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bezel was still a handsome green, but now the dial was as well, polarizing to some and gorgeous to others. The bezel was now finished with a ceramic insert allowing for more scratch resistance. The movement remained unchanged, and the watch still retained its durability and 300m waterproofness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This spiritual successor to the original Kermit <\/em>remained in production until 2020, when it was discontinued and replaced with the newer Kermit <\/em>ref. 126610LV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolex Kermit vs Hulk: Which One Should You Choose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And here we come to the bulk of the situation, the mainspring of the movement, the crystal of the case, and the lume to the bezel. Which one of these two (three) Rolex Submariner offerings would be the best for you? There are various things to consider ranging from pure aesthetics to pricing and availability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will be looking at all three options, even though two of them have the same name. For reference, the 16610LV is the \u2018Kermit<\/em>\u2019, and the 126610LV is the \u2018Kermit 2.0<\/em>\u2019. Again, some people prefer Starbucks, <\/em>but since Rolex itself doesn\u2019t name these, we can technically call these whatever we want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And before we delve in, please remember to buy the watch you want. <\/em>Do not be influenced by dealers, marketing, or arguments online. Buy a timepiece that tells you more than <\/em>just <\/strong>the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appearance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting with the Kermit, <\/em>we have a peculiar mix of a black \u2018maxi-dial\u2019 and a striking green aluminum bezel insert. This green is, of course, a subtle nod to the color of the Crown, <\/em>but even so, for some, this blend was too much – at the time. Since then, watch design has developed and evolved, and we even saw a Day-Date featuring emojis in 2023! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kermit <\/em>was the first to push the tone changes of the Submariner, and there are even different bezel hues in the production run of 7 years. In fact, there are no less than six and five variations for the dial and bezel, respectively. Some of the most sought-after include the MK 1 with the \u2018Flat 4\u2019 bezel design and wide ‘O’ in the word \u201cROLEX”. We have the olive-green colored bezel options nicknamed \u2018Bertolli\u2019 for the olive oil brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case design might not be to everyone\u2019s liking, seeing as these earlier models might seem small compared to more contemporary dive options. That said, if you prefer a lean, mean, <\/em>and green <\/em>machine, the 16610LV Kermit <\/em>is definitely for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving onto the 2010s, we have the release of the 116610LV Hulk. <\/em>Named after the big green hero from Marvel, this Sub doubled down on green and exchanged the black dial for a sunburst green one. Again, upon the release, the public wasn\u2019t completely sold, but as time has passed, most have come to love the Hulk, <\/em>and it has been worn by numerous celebs like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland, and Jonah Hill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bezel color and material were updated, being a richer green and made from ceramic (Cerachrom). Both cases measure 40mm in diameter. However, the Hulk <\/em>featured the \u201cRolex Super Case\u201d, meaning it has significantly broader lugs and crown guards. This is when the diameter doesn\u2019t really tell the full story, as the Hulk <\/em>appears far more chunkier and angular than its predecessor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hulk <\/em>also saw an update on the bracelet with the addition of an Oysterlock safety clasp with a Glidelock extension system, allowing for 2mm increment adjustments without the use of tools. The Kermit<\/em>, however, has the classic Oysterlock clasp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in 2020, we had the release of the Kermit 2.0 (and a slight update in 2023 as well). The Kermit 2.0 went back to its roots with the reintroduction of a black dial, but the bezel remained the same as on the Hulk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this was slightly revised in 2023 when the (unofficial) MK 2 Kermit 2.0 debuted with a darker hue of green along the bezel. This was a slight adjustment, and many didn\u2019t even notice it; but it makes the MK 1 Kermit 2.0 somewhat rare as it was only produced from September 2020 to May 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, the youngest green Submariner had some other tricks up its sleeve as well. It gained a millimeter in width, now measuring a heft 41mm. The lug width had grown to 21mm but also featured slimmer lugs overall. These design changes have made the latest generations of Submariners wear a lot smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rolex is known for using some of the most reliable and precise movements in the horological market. All modern Rolex movements have passed COSC and are known to keep ticking for decades if you look after your timepiece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kermit <\/em>was introduced with the Rolex caliber 3135. These movements form part of the 3035 movement system, which was introduced in 1977. The cal. 3135 was introduced in 1988 with 31 jewels, and thanks to a duo-directional rotor, it had a power reserve of 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also featured a frequency of 28.800 BPH and was renowned for its reliability. The cal. 3135 is also the brand\u2019s longest-serving movement. In fact, the 116610LV Hulk <\/em>featured the same movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only change in movements came with the introduction of the 126610LV Kermit 2.0<\/em>. The cal. 3135 was introduced in 2015 and featured in other models, like the Datejust, Sea-Dweller, and Deepsea Sea-Dweller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolex themselves state that over 90% of Caliber 3235\u2019s parts are new and are protected by numerous patents, 14 to be exact. It offers Chronergy Escapement, <\/em>which is a longer mainspring housed inside a barrel with thinner walls offering better efficiency. This increased the power reserve to 70 hours while retaining the same dimensions as the 3135. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cal. 3125 also has Paraflex shock absorbers allowing for better robustness, and a monoblock rotor, which also helps with the increased power reserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price & Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In case you\u2019re not so great at reading dates, you can no longer purchase the 16610LV Kermit <\/em>and 116610LV Hulk <\/em>from Rolex themselves unless you go through the \u2018Rolex\u00ae Certified Pre-Owned\u2019 <\/em>route. Thus, for most of us looking to purchase one of the older generations, we would need to look at the gray market or private collectors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years we have seen a huge spike in watch prices which, unfortunately, prohibits most timepieces from many enthusiasts. Let\u2019s look at the prices of the three different models, of course, without taking full sets, conditioning, etc, into account. These are the average prices we see being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kermit 16610LV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kermit<\/figure>\n\n\n\n