Why the Rolex Submariner Hulk Is a Collector's Dream: Value, Scarcity, and Price Insights
Rolex makes impressive dive watches that are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. One of them is the green dial Rolex Submariner, popularly known as the Rolex Hulk. This model stands out in Rolex’s catalog and has enjoyed consistently high demand in the retail and secondary markets.
Iconic watches like the Rolex Submariner Hulk are a collector’s dream. The first reference in the collection joined the Submariner catalog in 2010 after it was announced at the Basel World event.
While the Rolex Hulk is quite popular today, it didn’t catch on right away. However, as time went by, collectors began to recognize the impressive qualities of this watch, and it soon became a famous collector’s item. This blog explores why the Rolex Submariner Hulk is a collector’s dream, with a deep dive into its price and value.
Rolex Submariner Hulk Price Insights
The Rolex Submariner Hulk is no longer in active production. This means the only place to buy this timepiece is in the secondary market. The Rolex Submariner Hulk price currently hovers around $18,000 on average, significantly higher than other Submariner models.
But the Submariner was even more expensive in the past. At the peak of its popularity (shortly before it was discontinued), this watch sold for over $30,000. The current market price of the Submariner is even more impressive when you consider where it all started.
The Rolex Submariner Hulk was released to replace the black dial, green bezel Submariner (also known as the Kermit). Before Hulk, the all-black Submariner dominated collector interest.. And the newly launched Hulk wasn’t popular. While collectors didn’t necessarily hate the new watch, they just fancied the all-black model better because black was conventionally more versatile.
In 2010, when this watch was originally introduced, authorized retailers sold it for about $8,900, and it went even lower in the secondary market due to low demand. In the secondary market, you could find a pre-owned Rolex Submariner Hulk for sale for as low as $6300.
Over time, collectors began to see the beauty of the green dial Submariner, and prices climbed steadily. In 2019, rumors went around about the potential discontinuation of this timepiece. This drove prices even higher as collectors speculated on the potential value gain of a watch that was about to become scarce. Many enthusiasts speculated about the Hulk becoming “the next 100k watch”. While this never happened, the Submariner Hulk is no longer the entry-level timepiece it was when it debuted about a decade earlier.
The Submariner Hulk was eventually discontinued in 2020. Prices continued to climb, and by 2021, it was considered one of the most popular Rolexes on the market. While the hype has settled, the Submariner Hulk remains one of the most appealing and collectible Rolex watches that still command a hefty premium.
Factors that Contribute to the Value of the Rolex Hulk
The popularity and growing value of the Rolex Submariner Hulk can be attributed to a wide range of factors. These factors explain why the Rolex Hulk is a collector’s favorite:
Unique Design
The Hulk has a unique design characterized by its vibrant green bezel and green dial. The distinct color makes the watch highly recognizable, especially compared to traditional monochrome models with black or blue hues. It’s been spotted on the wrist of celebrities who no doubt love distinctive watches like this. Although collectors expressed some skepticism about the Submariner’s new look when the Hulk was released, collectors and fashion lovers soon got over the edgy feeling, and the Submariner began to take off, becoming a major hit.
Practical Features
Although most reviews often focus on the appearance of the Rolex Hulk, we mustn't forget that this is still a highly reliable dive watch with many practical features that make it highly desirable for professional divers. This watch delivers a water resistance of up to 300 meters, with standard dive watch features such as its unidirectional rotating bezel, luminescent dial features, and reliable movement. It’s a reliable watch for everyday use and serious diving.
Scarcity
Scarcity is arguably the most significant factor that contributes to the popularity of the Submariner Hulk. This watch was discontinued in 2020 after a 10-year-long production run. It was replaced by the Submariner 126610 LV “Starbucks, which has a green bezel and a black dial.
Throughout its production run, Rolex produced just about 200,000 Hulk submariners (as published in the Rolex Authorized book on the Submariner). This is a relatively small number considering the demand for Submariner models, especially the Hulk.
The fact that this watch has been discontinued also means that only a small percentage of this total figure will end up in the secondary market. This scarcity helps maintain the mystique around the Submariner Hulk while keeping prices up.
The Strength of the Hulk
The green dial and bezel are the reason for the Submariner Hulk’s nickname. However, like any other Submariner model, this watch is also built to last - another attribute that connects it to Marvel’s superhero character. The incredible strength of this Submariner model is another reason collectors highly sought-after it. It is powered by the caliber 3135 movement, which is COSC-certified and delivers a power reserve of up to 48 hours.
The Submariner Hulk’s movement has paramagnetic properties. It is protected by a 40mm wide stainless steel oyster case, with a screw-down crown that locks the water out. The watch also has Rolex’s patented Triplock locking system to protect the movement. The case material is corrosion-resistant, while the ceramic bezel is resistant to scratches or discoloration. These attributes ensure the watch value can be preserved for a long time, even with frequent use.
Scarce Variants
Within the 10 years that the Submariner Hulk was in production, Rolex produced up to four unique variants of this timepiece (often referred to as "Marks") characterized by subtle changes in the dial designs. This is a good thing from a collector’s perspective because it makes each specific variant even rarer than it would have been if only one uniform dial had been produced throughout the entire production run. Collectors are always looking for scarce items, and these variations contribute to that scarcity.
In truth, the differences between the different Marks of the Submariner Hulk are pedantic. However, the minute differences are notable enough for seasoned collectors to classify them into different iterations. Here’s a brief overview of each of them and their most notable feature:
Rolex Submariner Hulk Mark 1 (2010-2015)
The first version of the Rolex Submariner Hulk ref. 116610 LV, produced between 2010 and 2015, had the Mark 1 dial. The defining feature of this variant is the small space between the “300” and “m” on the dial. There’s also an equals sign located at the exact middle of the dial, just above the center of the 6 o’clock hour marker.
Rolex Submariner Hulk Mark 2 (2013-2016)
Rolex debuted the Mark 2 dial in 2013 and was in production for three years. The defining feature of this dial is that the equals sign is displaced slightly to the right instead of being centered in the middle, like in the earlier version. The sign is centered between the meter and feet ratings.
Rolex Submariner Hulk Mark 3 (2016-2020)
The third version of the Submariner Hulk was introduced in 2016. The difference in this one is a lot more notable compared to the earlier versions. The Mark 3 Hulk debuted a polished folding clasp instead of the sandblasted clasps used in its predecessors. Also, the word “Submariner” printed on the dial is much bolder. Rolex also introduced slight changes in the spacing and typeface. For instance, the equals sign is now in italics, and the spacing between the “Oyster Perpetual Date” letters has been reduced considerably.
Rolex Submariner Hulk Mark 4 (2018-2020)
The Submariner Hulk Mark 4 is the most controversial of all four variants because it isn’t as distinct as the others. Some collectors even argue that the Mark 4 isn’t a distinct variant since the only difference between it and the Mark three is the slightly bolder Submariner (which can be attributed to subtle manufacturing differences). Regardless, it is still considered a distinct variant by many collectors.
Conclusion
The Rolex brand has always been known for its high-value luxury watches with significant collectibility. The Submariner Hulk, with its distinctive appearance and practical features, is appealing to collectors. The fact that this watch has been taken out of production also contributes to its scarcity. In the coming years, the many variants of the Submariner Hulk will only become rarer and rarer, further boosting their value as highly collectible timepieces.