A replica Rolex green Submariner is a copy of one of three watches: the Hulk (ref. 116610LV), the Kermit (ref. 16610LV), or the Starbucks (ref. 126610LV). All three pair a Submariner case with green, but they differ in dial color, bezel material, and case size. Replica prices run from about $90 for a basic build to $650 for a super clone with a clone 3135 movement and a 904L steel case.
Which green Submariner is which?
Rolex made three green Submariners, and sellers mix up the names all the time. Match the reference number to the watch before you compare prices.
Hulk, ref. 116610LV (2010 to 2020)
- Green sunburst dial plus a green ceramic bezel insert
- 40mm case, maxi dial, fat lume plots
- Discontinued in 2020, so replica stock comes from older tooling
Kermit, ref. 16610LV (2003 to 2010)
- Black dial, green aluminum bezel insert
- 40mm case, thinner lugs, smaller hour markers
- Anniversary model for the Submariner's 50th year
Starbucks, ref. 126610LV (2020 to now)
- Black dial, green ceramic bezel insert
- 41mm case, narrower lugs, wider bracelet
- Newest of the three, so factories update this one most
How much should a green Submariner replica cost?
Price tracks the movement and the case steel more than dial color. Green ceramic bezels add cost because the insert needs a clean color match and crisp engravings.
- Budget ($90 to $180): 2813 movement, 316L steel, shallow bezel markings, light feel.
- Mid tier ($220 to $400): 2836-2 movement, better dial print, ceramic insert with decent color.
- Super clone ($450 to $650): clone 3135 or 3235, 904L steel option, tight SEL fit, AR cyclops.
Anything above $700 for a green Sub replica deserves hard questions about the movement and the factory. Ask for the factory name and a movement photo before you pay.
What separates a good green Sub replica from a bad one?
Green is the hardest color to fake on a watch dial. Small shifts in pigment and finish show up in daylight, which makes this model a strict test of factory quality.
Dial color and finish (Hulk)
The Hulk dial is a sunburst green that goes dark at one angle and bright at another. Cheap copies paint a flat green or use a metallic flake that looks glittery. Compare in indirect daylight, not under a shop lamp.
Bezel insert
Ceramic inserts should have recessed, platinum-filled numerals with sharp edges. Aluminum Kermit inserts should read as a deep green with a matte finish, not a bright candy green.
Case, lugs, and end links
Look at the gap between the end link and the lug. A tight fit with no step or wobble marks a better case set. Kermit replicas often get the lugs wrong by making them too thick.
Date window and cyclops
Date font, 2.5x magnification, and anti-reflective coating under the cyclops are the fast tells. A weak magnifier or a blue tint points to a budget build.
Rehaut engravings
Genuine rehaut engraving lines up with the minute markers. Replicas with shallow or crooked engraving sit a tier lower.
Which movement should you choose?
The movement decides how the watch feels in the hand and how long it lasts. Green Sub replicas ship with one of four common movements.
- 2813: cheap, rough winding, and the second hand stutters on some samples. Fine for a first low-cost buy.
- 2836-2: reliable and easy to service, but the crown sits a bit off-gen and the date sits low.
- Clone 3135 (SA3135, SH3135, VS3135): correct crown height and date position, 28,800 bph, hand winds and hacks. VS3135 is the pick of this group.
- Clone 3235: used in Starbucks builds, longer power reserve, harder to service.
Ask whether the movement is a decorated version. Decoration looks nice through a caseback nobody sees on a Submariner, so put that money into the case instead.
Does 904L steel matter on a replica?
904L is Rolex's steel. It takes a brighter polish than 316L, and some factories now offer it. In the hand the difference is small. Case shape, brushing, and SEL fit matter more than the steel grade.
Weight gives you a second check. A 904L case runs a few grams heavier, so a seller who claims 904L but ships a light watch is cutting corners.
Can you swim with a replica green Submariner?
Treat water resistance as unknown unless the seller pressure-tested the watch. Most replicas leave the factory with gaskets that are dry or seated wrong. Have a watchmaker grease the gaskets and test to 3 ATM before you trust it near water, and never dive with one.
Buying checklist
- Confirm the reference: Hulk, Kermit, or Starbucks.
- Ask for daylight photos of the dial and bezel, plus a video of the sweeping second hand.
- Request close-ups of the rehaut, date window, and SEL fit.
- Confirm the movement and ask for a photo with the caseback off.
- Check the clasp code and the glide lock function.
- Ask about the return window and whether the seller tests before shipping.
Is buying a replica legal?
Rules vary by country. In the US, selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and customs can seize incoming packages. Buying for personal use carries lower risk than reselling, but the watch can still be confiscated. Check your local law before you order.
FAQ
Which green Submariner replica is closest to the original?
The Starbucks super clone with a clone 3235 movement and a 904L case ranks highest in most comparisons. The Kermit is easier to spot because aluminum bezel color is hard to match.
How can you tell a fake green Submariner?
Check the dial color shift, the bezel numeral fill, the date magnification, and the SEL fit. A flat green dial or a cyclops with weak magnification is the fastest giveaway.
Do replica green Submariners keep time well?
A 2836-2 or a clone 3135 can hold within 10 to 20 seconds a day after regulation. Budget 2813 movements drift more and often need a service or a swap within a year.