Will the Rolex Hulk 116610LV be discontinued?

The Rolex Hulk 116610LV is one of the Swiss brand's most popular and distinctive watches but in recent years any talk of the Rolex Submariner 116610lv, known affectionately as the Hulk for its eye catching bright green design, is tempered by fears that the model is not long for this world. Rumours about the impending discontinuation of the Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV circulate on an annual basis before every Baselworld exhibition these days, and while they have proven unfounded thus far, every exhibition could well be the last for this iconic watch. 

So what is the story behind the Rolex Hulk 116610LV, and what are the chances that it will be discontinued? 

Check out this Chrono Hunter guide to find out.

The background

The world is certainly no stranger to the Rolex Submariner brand, which is probably one of the most well-known and recognised models in history since its launch in the 1950s. Its distinctive face and hands are much imitated in the industry, and it remains the premier dive watch in the world for collectors and enthusiasts alike, which has inspired a certain conservatism in design updates since its launch. Why fix what ain't broken, after all. That's probably why the launch of the Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV in 2010 inspired such a stir in the markets, which thankfully for the brand was mostly positive, cementing the model's position as a well-loved collector's item and an object of desire for aspiring luxury watch owners.

The watch

Despite the colour, the Hulk is still recognisably a Submariner, from the Mercedes watch hands all the way to the stainless steel body common to all of the Rolex Sports watch family. 

The first thing you really have to talk about with the Rolex Hulk 116610LV is that green colour that makes it so distinctive. Rolex calls the colour 'green gold', but whatever you call it the effect is striking when combined with the matching green bezel, still something of a rarity among rival manufacturers even today after the Hulk's success. 

Adding to the effect of this change is the sunburst effect that Rolex employed on the face, in stark contrast to the usual matte black that is the Submariner's trademark style in its other iterations. It really makes the green shimmer, which draws your attention even if the colour doesn't. 

In comparison to other watches in the Submariner family the detailing is exceptionally bold, from the indexes and numerals to the bezel, thanks to the deposited platinum inserts that really help pick out these features against the similarly unsubtle green motif. It also has particularly chunky lugs, in an era where most other watches have seen their lugs trimmed down more and more to give off a more 'sporty' vibe.

The exceptional durability that marks out Rolex watches is also present in every element of the  Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV, from the watch case itself to the Oyster bracelet and clasp that have been re-designed and re-engineered for added strength and a more solid feel than previous models. 

You'll also find the famous Rolex bespoke and secret stainless steel blend in use within this watch, giving it even more effective durability than other comparable watches on the market. 

In terms of their cost, the price fluctuates depending on region and Rolex pricing policy, but currently, If you got one at retail price it would set you back about £7,450 but as we all know retail price and market price are not the same so unless you’re happy to wait many years or spend money on watches you don’t necessarily want then your budget should be between £11-13,000 depending on age and condition. This can be much more if you opt for a gem-set model, the price of which also fluctuates depending on the price of the specific gems used.

The history

No product is ever designed in isolation, so to divine the future of this watch, it's probably a good idea to take a look at its history. While The Rolex Submariner Hulk 166610LV tends to be the watch that turns heads these days, it's interesting to note that it wasn't the first green Rolex to be released. 

While green is the official colour of Rolex, it wasn't actually employed on their products until the 2003 edition of the Submariner released to commemorate the model's 50th anniversary. 

This model, nicknamed The Kermit after the eponymous green Muppet, was initially met with skepticism even though it was less of a departure than the Rolex Hulk. It lacked the bold styling and sunburst finish of The  Rolex Hulk and even retained the Submariner's black face, restricting the revolutionary green ceramic to the bezel, and was to all intents and purposes a re-coloured version of the classic Submariner. 

So despite the uproar that greeted the Rolex Hulk's launch, it wasn't the first green dial Rolex Submariner but an updated version of the Kermit, which had rather softened the public's attitude towards radical re-designs of Rolex products.

Will the Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV be Discontinued?

So what is it about the watch that people think might get the Rolex Hulk 116610LV discontinued? You might think that a watch released in 2010 might have a lot more than just a decade's shelf life, especially within such a proud and famous brand like Rolex. 

But if you view The Rolex Hulk 116610LV as merely an update of the Kermit as Rolex appears to, you'll notice that this particular line has therefore been in production for nearly 20 years. That's a long time for an anniversary piece, and you wouldn't blame Rolex for pulling the plug and starting again in time for the next anniversary. 

The differences aren't just cosmetic, either. Because the  Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV is a redesigned version of the Kermit, released in 2003, it contains Rolex’s 3135 movement which has since been superseded by its newest design the 3235. It's likely that Rolex will be keen to roll out this newer design across their whole range as soon as they practically can, so models using older systems will be at risk of the chop.

Considering these factors it doesn't look good for the future of The Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV, and it is understandable that rumours of its demise have stepped up in recent years, but there is a glimmer of hope for the model yet. 

The Hulk remains one of the most popular and sought after models of Rolex, largely thanks to its perception as a stand out watch that gets attention, and it's entirely possible that Rolex will opt to simply replace the mechanism and tweak the design rather than ditch the line entirely. 

Whatever happens, the Rolex Submariner Hulk 116610LV will definitely retain its place as a favourite among Rolex connoisseurs for years to come!

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article make sure you like it and share with your fellow watch connoisseurs. 

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