The best watch nicknames: Rolex

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In this section of our blog, we continue exploring the depths of the internet and its most nerdy forums to bring you a detailed analysis of the origins of some of the most celebrated nicknames of our favorite models, with an emphasis on one brand per chapter.

Proving that the creativity of watch enthusiasts knows no bounds, these Rolex nicknames have been growing among collectors of the crown brand for over 40 years, reflecting the richness and depth of the Rolex catalog. Some honor the genius of Italian collectors, others are inspired by the world of superheroes, and more than a few echo other icons of popular culture.

What's certain and indisputable is that it's much more entertaining to call them by their nickname than simply reciting endless, indecipherable reference numbers, and it takes a bit of the seriousness out of this hobby that we sometimes take too seriously. These are our favorites, but don't forget to leave yours in the comments section and on all our social media platforms.

The best watch nicknames: Rolex

The Soda Pop: Pepsi/Coke/Root Beer/Batman

It looks like a catalog of sugary drinks, but in reality these names allude to the different varieties of the legendary GMT-Master , the jetsetter watch par excellence, an icon of international glamour .

The bezel of this model is characterized by its 24-hour scale separated into two colors, indicating day and night. There are combinations of red and blue ( Pepsi ), red and black ( Coke ), brown and yellow ( Root Beer ), and, more recently, blue and black ( Batman ).

Whether made of Bakelite (our favorite), aluminum, or ceramic, the GMT-Master's colorful bezels are this model's calling card and have transcended the world of collectors to establish themselves, hand in hand with social media, in the midst of our pop culture.

The best watch nicknames: Rolex

Comic book characters: Kermit/Smurf/Hulk

Straight from our childhoods come Papa Smurf and Kermit the Frog , beloved characters from '80s television, who are represented in a pair of Rolex Submariner models. The Kermit refers to the 50th anniversary Submariner with a black background and green bezel, while the Smurf is a white gold model with a blue dial and bezel. Even the new version of the Sub with a green dial has been dubbed "Cermit," a combination of "Kermit" and "Ceramic," thanks to its modern bezel.

The latest to explode is the Hulk , with a green dial and bezel reminiscent of Bruce Banner 's angry look. This discontinued model wasn't a huge success at the time, but is now the most sought-after model among Submariner fans. It's a sweet contradiction between two very endearing characters (and one not-so-endearing one) representing a very tough watch, perhaps the toughest Rolex of all.

Whatever the case, these characters have grown in popularity thanks to their meteoric rise in value on the secondary market, which makes us think we'll be talking about these characters for many more decades.

The best watch nicknames: Rolex

The Kings of Cool: Killy/Paul Newman

Two famous chronographs associated with two famous adventurers. On the one hand, we have Jean Claude Killy , one of the brand's first ambassadors, a multiple ski champion who was once used to promote the Rolex Daytona Compax launched in 1947. On the other hand, the most effective unofficial ambassador in history, the great pilot and actor Paul Newman , who with a single photo on the cover of a magazine launched to fame what would become the most expensive watch ever sold at auction, the Rolex Daytona 6239 .

Today, it's incredible to think that this Daytona model was a commercial failure, and that until just a few years ago, they could be found for a couple of thousand dollars at antique dealers and auctions. A testament to the star power in the industry and the best proof that legends never die.

The best watch nicknames: Rolex

The Italians: Ovettone/Freccione

Without a doubt the group's stylish and glamorous nicknames, these two very different watches once again demonstrate that Italy is always at the forefront when it comes to collecting and trends.

The Ovettone refers to the first self-winding Rolex watches ( “perpetuals” ), the famous “Bubblebacks” that had to incorporate a much wider case back to accommodate the oscillating weight, giving them the egg shape, or “Ovettone” in Italian.

The Freccione came much later, with the release of the first Explorer II, reference 1655 (sometimes misnamed Steve McQueen), which was aimed at cave explorers or “Spelungers” . They used to get lost in the darkness of caves, so the big orange arrow (Big arrow = “Freccione” ) helped them visualize whether it was day or night in the outside world. Today it is one of the most fashionable and sought-after sports watches by the brand’s fans, the last truly vintage watch with a crown.

The best watch nicknames: Rolex

The Girls: Fat Lady/Pussy Galore

Also referring to models in the GMT-Master family, these two female nicknames come from very different origins. The Fat Lady refers to the 16760 with a Coke dial, which for the first time featured a significantly larger case than its predecessor (although still very small compared to today's GMTs), earning it the nickname " gordita " or "Fat Lady ."

On the contrary, the Pussy Galore is a tribute to the famous Bond heroine in the film Goldfinger , where a stunning crown-less 6542 appears on her wrist, the quintessence of Rolex sporty design. A truly beautiful piece, worthy of a spectacular woman like Honor Blackman , who embodied the unforgettable Bond girl, and who showed from a very early age that watches are always unisex.

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