Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Ian Wright spotted wearing Rolex

Ian Wright, the former Arsenal striker turned one of British football's most recognisable television voices, was recently spotted wearing one of the most talked-about discontinued Rolex references of the modern era — the Submariner Date 116610LV, universally known as the 'Hulk.' The sighting is a reminder that Wright's taste in watches has always run toward the bold and the iconic.

Rolex introduced the 116610LV in 2010, pairing the 40mm Oyster case with the brand's then-new Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert — rendered in deep green — alongside an equally vivid green dial. The result was a divisive but undeniably striking package. Powered by the in-house Calibre 3135 automatic movement, the watch offered 48 hours of power reserve, a Triplock crown, and water resistance to 300 metres. The Oyster bracelet with Glidelock extension system completed a specification that set the standard for professional sport watches at its price point.

When Rolex replaced the 116610LV with the 126610LV — the two-tone 'Starbucks,' featuring a black dial against the green bezel — in 2020, demand for the outgoing Hulk surged immediately. Collectors responded to the discontinuation with genuine enthusiasm; the all-green aesthetic, once polarising, was suddenly irreplaceable. The 116610LV has since become one of the most sought-after modern Rolex references among enthusiasts, appreciated for its visual coherence and its status as a closed chapter in the brand's catalogue.

Ian Wright's affinity for the Hulk feels entirely in character. A player celebrated for his exuberance and flair throughout a career that included 185 Premier League goals and an England career spanning the 1990s, Wright gravitates toward pieces with presence. The Submariner 116610LV — loud, purposeful, and now impossible to buy at retail — suits his personality and his profile precisely.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Submariner Date 'Hulk' ref. 116610LV now commands a meaningful premium over its last known retail price of approximately £7,450. Grey-market values have stabilised at significantly higher levels, reflecting the reference's discontinued status and enduring demand among both watch collectors and high-profile figures across sport and entertainment.