Rolex Nicknames Ultimate Guide

Aside from their excellent craftsmanship and iconic designs, Rolex watches have become world-famous for their nickname-based taxonomy. While other brands do have their own nicknamed models as well, the Crown’s watches – and avid collectors – have taken it to the mainstream. Even non-collectors would be familiar with a Pepsi or a Batman.

Of course, only a few of these monikers are part of official Rolex literature. They’re simply the work of very passionate watch aficionados. If you’re looking to join this community, or consider yourself part of it, here are 40 Rolex nicknames you need to know.

Bombay

The Rolex “Bombay’s” nickname is from the French word “bombée,” which translates to round. It was used to describe a unique type of nearly twisted lug case shape found on several Oyster Perpetual models from the 1950s.

Clint Eastwood

The GMT-Master ref. 16753 with a two-tone finish, brown dial, and Root Beer bezel. Its nickname came about when famed Hollywood star Clint Eastwood was spotted wearing the watch in several of his movies.

Coke

Rolex GMT-Master II watches with red and black aluminum bezel inserts are called ‘Coke’. This nickname was inspired by the resemblance of the watch’s color combination to a Coke bottle. It follows the soda-themed nicknames of the Pepsi and the Root Beer.

Fat Lady

When the GMT-Master II appeared in 1983 as ref. 16760, it had a 0.5 mm thicker casing than its predecessor to accommodate a new movement. This model is now known as the “Fat Lady” or, alternatively, the “Sophia Loren” in reference to the Italian actress’s curves.

Great White

“Great White” pertains to Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 models with all-white text on the dial. What makes it special is that it was the last Sea-Dweller to use a plexiglass crystal and the final ref. 1665 watch made by Rolex.

James Bond

The Submariner ref. 6538, worn by Sean Connery in the inaugural James Bond film Dr. No. While this nickname gets incorrectly used to denote crown guard-less Sub vintage references, only the ref. 6538 is known as the original “James Bond” Submariner.

Jean Claude-Killy

The Dato-Compax line of triple calendar chronographs. Jean-Claude Killy is a former Olympian, who later became a Rolex ambassador and board member. Collectors have tied his name with the watch because he was rumored to own one and enjoyed wearing it.

John Player Special

A Daytona ref. 6264 or 6241 in solid gold with a black exotic dial, nicknamed after John Player & Sons, a UK-based tobacco company and Formula 1 sponsor. The association stems from the firm’s cigarette boxes, which were black with gold lettering.

Kermit

The ref. 16610LV Submariner, introduced in 2003 to celebrate the collection’s 50th anniversary. This was the first Sub and Rolex watch to feature a green bezel insert, which lent it its Muppet-themed nickname. The “Kermit” was discontinued in 2010 but Rolex brought back the iconic colorway in the ref. 126610LV with a Cerachrom bezel, also known as the “Starbucks.”

Paul Newman

The Paul Newman is characterized by its exotic dial with blocky indices in the sub-registers, eccentric Arabic numerals, and vibrant flashes of color. The watch got the nickname because the legendary actor wore at least two Daytonas with these dials.

Pepsi

The “Pepsi” GMT-Master is another Rolex with a moniker derived from a beverage. The red and blue color combo originally came about as a tribute to the Pan-American emblem but it’s now referred to as “Pepsi” due to its resemblance to the soda company’s logo.

Polar

The “Polar” is used by collectors to reference any Rolex Explorer II with a white dial. This could be a ref. 16550, 16570, 216570, or the newly-released 226570.

Pussy Galore

“Pussy Galore” refers to GMT-Master ref. 6542 models with a red and blue, Bakelite bezel insert. It got its nickname after actress Honor Blackman wore it while playing Pussy Galore in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger.

Stella

Stella is another type of exotic dial found on Day-Date and Datejust models from the 1970s. They were manufactured by a Swiss company of the same name and were made from colored enamels ranging from pink and orange, to green and turquoise.

Sprite

The 2022 GMT-Master II with a green and black Cerachrom bezel – a first in the GMT-Master collection and the entire Rolex lineup. The “Sprite” was also the first Rolex to offer a left-handed orientation, with its crown, crown guards, and date display on the left side.

Sultan

A two-tone Submariner with 8 diamonds and 3 sapphires on the slate gray dial. This style is also known as the Serti, a French word that translates to “setting.”

Texas Timex

This moniker was given to solid gold Day-Dates because they were so popular in Texas that it was widely assumed that they were as widespread in the state as a Timex. Today, it covers all yellow-gold Rolex dress watches.

Triple Six

The second generation of the Sea-Dweller, following the “Double Red” and “Great White” refs. 1665. The “Triple Six” took its name from the three consecutive 6 digits in its “16660” reference number.

Unicorn

A white gold Daytona ref. 6265 that formerly belonged to seasoned collector John Goldberger. It is the second highest-selling Rolex sold at auction, fetching $5.9 million, and is thought to be the only known white gold, manual-winding Daytona ever manufactured.

Zenith

This refers to the second-generation Daytona watches, which used modified Zenith El-Primero automatic movements. They were introduced in 1988 and are now considered collector’s items.