A Rolex Submariner in your sights? How about the ‘Hulk’ to tip the scales?

As far as we are concerned, one of the first Rolex models that any budding watch buffs ought to consider is the Oyster Perpetual Submariner. (Read about the collection’s history here, and get more tips on getting that first Rollie here.)

Today, however, we’d like to draw your attention to an oldie-but-goodie, and certainly one of the more unusual Submariners available on the market – the Submariner Ref, 116610LV, which was launched in 2010, and has been something of a cult favourite since. 

Nicknamed ‘Hulk’ for obvious reasons, the Submariner Ref. 116610LV not only sets itself distinctively apart from the all-too-familiar black bezel and dial versions (the Ref. 114060 without date, and the Ref. 116610LN with date), it appears to have trumped even the green-bezel-black-dial ‘Kermit’ 50th Anniversary edition Ref. 16610V.

But why? For one, the obvious go-the-whole-nine-yards shades of green – Cerachrom gloss on the bezel and sunburst finish dial – which one Rolex fan has likened to wearing “an emerald on the wrist”. And we are not being dramatic when we say that like an emerald, the green, especially on the dial, emanates a different tone, depending on how the watch catches the light.

What’s more, although the ‘Hulk’ comes in a 40mm like the rest of the collection’s current models, the striking hue endows the watch with a larger-than-life disposition, which really, is what Sub wearers are after. While on the topic of visual drama, this watch is fitted with Rolex’s proprietary Chromalight hands and markers that emit a blue glow in the dark, which is pretty stunning in our opinion.

Where performance is concerned, we have just one thing to say: it’s a Rolex. The Calibre 3135 automatic movement that powers this watch (and the rest of the Subs with date) is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, promising +2/-2 second daily deviation – two times more precise than that of other certified chronometers. Other dive-ready features that Sub fans will be familiar with – unidirectional bezel, Oysterlock clasp to prevent accidental opening, Glidelock system for minute 2mm adjustment of the bracelet and 300m water resistance – are all well accounted for. 

Best of all, at S$13,000, the ‘Hulk’ is just a tad pricier than the regular black Sub with date, which retails for S$11,440. For that little bit more, Rolex fans get a Submariner that is thoroughly distinctive and unmissable – not a bad reason to stretch the budget a little more, if you ask us.

Case	40mm, 904L stainless steel with green Cerachrom unidirectional bezel
Dial	Green sunburst finished dial
Movement	Automatic Calibre 3135
Bracelet	Stainless steel with Oysterlock safety clasp and Glidelock extension system
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve	48 hours
Price	S$13,000