February 27
Rolex Hulk vs. Kermit
The Rolex Hulk and Rolex Kermit are without a doubt two of Rolex’s most well known watches. While they are both green, there’s a lot more to their story than that. Here’s a dive into the Rolex Hulk and Rolex Kermit watches, including their history, releases, designs, style, and more.
A Brief History of the Rolex Submariner
Before we get into the details of the Rolex Submariner Hulk and Rolex Submariner Kermit, let’s first review the background of the Rolex Submariner itself. Released in 1954, after going into production the year before, the Rolex Submariner was launched as a divers watch at the Basel Watch Fair. Ever since then, the Submariner has become one of the most identifiable watches on Earth. With its high resale value and immediately recognizable aesthetic, the Submariner is the watch that many other watches take inspiration from.
While no one can definitively say if reference 6204 or 6205 came first, they are almost identical and together managed to set the standard for dive watches across the globe. Traditionally made from a single block of 904L steel, the Oyster case is incredibly resistant to corrosion and water, with the early models being resistant to 200m and newer modes being resistant to 300m. Hans Wildorf initially marketed the watch by having a specially made Submariner fixed to a deep-sea submersible, called a bathyscaphe, and submerging it 3100 meters. With the watch working perfectly and proudly displaying the Rolex name when brought back to the surface, the legacy of the robust and elegant Submariner was born, and the dive watch category took off.
Rolex Kermit vs. Rolex Hulk: The Releases
With green being Rolex’s signature color and the Submariner being the flagship model of Rolex’s professional collection, it would only make sense for Rolex to give the Submariner a hit of green for the model’s 50th anniversary. This hit of green, on its bezel, gave us one of Rolex’s most collectible models, the Rolex Kermit ref. 16610LV, which ran from 2003 to 2010.
In 2010, Rolex released a new version of the Rolex Kermit with what we know and love today as the Rolex Hulk. As a completely new reference, 116610LV, the Rolex Hulk got to make use of the new Oyster ‘Super Case’, a new green bezel and matching green dial, and new clasp system.
Rolex Kermit vs. Rolex Hulk: The Designs
While the Kermit’s case is more sleek, the newer ‘Super Case’ of the Hulk is more modern and in line with consumer demands of sports watches today. The Rolex Hulk is appropriately named as it’s lugs are almost twice as thick as the Kermit’s, it has far larger crown guards and much sharper bezel serrations than its predecessor. The most significant change for the Rolex Hulk, however, was its green Cerachrom bezel. This bezel is resistant to scratches, sun damage, corrosion, and fading – all problems that plagued the older aluminium bezels.
In addition to all of this, the Rolex Hulk even got a green dial to match its bezel. The darker double green of the Hulk adds to its physical stature in a way that the black dial of the Rolex Kermit could never have done. Many purists do prefer the black dial and sleeker design of the Kermit however due to it being closer in line to the original Submariners.
Rolex Kermit vs. Rolex Hulk: Style
With the Rolex Hulk and the Rolex Kermit being as renowned and collectible as they are, it is only natural that you might want to protect your original Rolex watch band while simultaneously adding your own flair to these iconic timepieces with a custom watch strap for Submariner.
For the slimmer and more understated Rolex Kermit, you can use a solid color rubber strap to really highlight the color of the bezel, such as a forest green rubber strap. You can also achieve this with a darker digi camo rubber strap to achieve a more understated look for your Rolex Kermit.
For the Rolex Hulk, it’s all about highlighting the vibrant green dial and bezel. With that in mind, the use of a camo rubber strap for your Rolex Hulk makes perfect sense. A graphite camo rubber strap can beautifully contrast the green bezel and dial, or, for a truly vibrant look, a green camo rubber strap can really amplify that whole look and take it to the next level.
February 27
All postsFeatured Posts
December 14
What to Buy as a Christmas Gift This Year (For Watch Collectors)
November 13
Cartier Santos 100 XL: The Path to New Heights
March 27