‘Do you need to ‘like’ something to invest in it?’ It might sound like a philosophical question, but if you’re not sure of the answer, you could be missing out on the deal of the decade. The Rolex Hulk Submariner 116610LV has divided buyers since its launch in 2010; however, news of its discontinuation has driven prices through the roof.
A frog in the throat or the colour of money?
Before the Hulk came the ‘Kermit’, even though the Rolex green is an integral part of the brand’s image, it seems that some purists believe that the colour should stay on the box not on the watch. Launched in 2003 to mark the Submariner’s 50th anniversary, the Rolex Submariner 11610LV moved away from traditional colour schemes. Adopting a black dial green bezel denoted by ‘LV’ for ‘lunette vert’, the Submariner 16610LV was nicknamed ‘Kermit’, after the world’s most famous frog, was only made for seven years. This means that the ‘Kermit’ is in short supply, which pushes its resale value through the roof.
‘The Hulk’
The 116610LV was released in Basel in 2010, replacing the discontinued ‘Kermit’. Featuring the increased case dimension first seen in 2008’s 18ct white gold Submariner, the bulky feel of the watch, teamed with both a green dial a green bezel, came to be known as the ‘Hulk’. For all its size substance, the Hulk had a softer side. Rolex’s ‘green gold’ dial with sunburst grain pattern meant that this bulky beast actually offered different shades of green, depending on how it was viewed in sunlight.
Limited runs, both the Kermit the Hulk rank highly in collecting circles, which makes them simultaneously a worthy investment for the future a perfectly placed opportunity for a superb return on investment.
The Hulk – A Modern Marvel
The Rolex Submariner Hulk is one to watch, in particular. The most recent stainless-steel Submariner to be discontinued, the Hulk remained true to its roots over its decade-long production run. In addition to the green bezel, the Hulk also featured the 40mm maxi case with hands made from Rolex’s Chronalight luminous material, which glows blue in the sunlight rather than the green glow of its forerunner.
The Hulk’s green bezel is made from ceramic with platinum inserts in the recesses numerals. This material Rolex calls ‘Cerachrom’. The Cerachrom bezel is made of tough stuff -don’t let the idea of ceramic confuse you. The Hulk’s green bezel is scratch resistant will never fade or wear through. When it comes to meeting its match, only a diamond could take on the might of Cerechrom.
More Fundamental Than Flash
It can be hard to understand quite why the Hulk isn’t more loved across the board. For some collectors, the Hulk is the Endgame while for others, they struggle with the colour scheme. It can be argued that green was a logical brand-focused step for Rolex, but it can’t be disputed that the Hulk, at heart, is a Submariner through through.
The Rolex Submariner has it all – an everyday sports watch that can also be worn in the boardroom or a black-tie event. The Submariner’s strength, however, lies in the detail, the Hulk is no exception to this rule. Water resistant to a depth of 1000m – even if it never gets wet – the Sub Hulk features a solid-linked Oyster bracelet, with a brushed finish on the links’ broad face while the shoulders of each link are polished to a high shine by way of contrast. The Oysterclasp Glidelock sounds as good as it looks, with a reassuringly expensive ‘click’ as it locks on securely offers easy robust adjustment.
Getting a quote on a Rolex Submariner Hulk
If you have a Rolex Submariner 116610 LV ‘Hulk’ you would like a loan estimate, the results could be incredible – just like the Hulk himself. As mild-mannered Bruce Banner turns from a lab rat to a superhero, the Submariner Hulk is a world away from other watches. It is classic edgy at the same time, with the green detail elevating the Hulk beyond the status of a simple Submariner (if there is such a thing…).
A Rolex is absolutely a thing of great beauty, but there is strength in the brand that remains firm despite the economic impact of the pandemic. While production – like many things across Europe – ground to a halt, the interest in Rolex purchases remains buoyant.
It’s no surprise that among the Submariner’s fans, it is ex-Guns N’Roses guitarist, Slash, who is a proud owner. They may be few far between but at Suttons and Robertsons, we have our specialists on hand for an expert valuation of your Rolex, with loans up to £2m.
Looking to loan against your Rolex or want to sell your Rolex? Get in touch today.
Read more about green faced watches from Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and more.
