Watch Paparazzi

Cricketer Jonny Bairstow spotted wearing Rolex

Cricket and horology share an unlikely common ground — both reward patience, precision, and the occasional dramatic flourish. England and Yorkshire batter Jonny Bairstow, a central figure in England's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph at Lord's, was spotted wearing the Rolex Submariner Date 'Hulk,' reference 116610LV — a watch that, much like Bairstow himself, tends to make an impression before it even opens its mouth.

The Rolex Submariner Date 116610LV was produced from 2010 to 2020, slotting into the fifth generation of the Submariner lineage. At its core sits the Rolex Calibre 3135, a self-winding movement with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and Rolex's proprietary Paraflex shock absorbers — a movement widely regarded as one of the most reliable in Swiss watchmaking. Water-resistant to 300 metres, the 40mm stainless steel Oyster case houses a unidirectional rotating bezel fitted with a green Cerachrom ceramic insert — scratch-resistant, UV-stable, and the source of the watch's enduring nickname. The matching green dial completed the monochromatic look that split opinion sharply on debut.

The 116610LV occupies a peculiar and valuable position in the Rolex collector hierarchy. Discontinued in 2020 when Rolex replaced it with the 126610LV — featuring a black dial rather than green — the 'Hulk' immediately became a reference point for the principle that Rolex discontinuations drive secondary market premiums. On the grey market, the 116610LV routinely trades significantly above its original retail price, driven by genuine scarcity and nostalgia for the all-green aesthetic that its successor abandoned.

Bairstow, who was named one of the key players in England's historic 2019 World Cup victory — a tournament settled in extraordinary circumstances at Lord's — is no stranger to high-stakes performance. The 'Hulk' suits his profile: it is a professional tool watch with a personality that extends well beyond its technical brief, worn by those who prefer their Rolex to say something.

At UK list price of £6,950 at time of sale, the 116610LV was already a premium purchase. Grey market values have since pushed comfortably higher, with clean examples in full set regularly commanding between $16,000 and $22,000 USD depending on condition and provenance — a strong premium that shows no sign of collapsing as the reference ages into genuine collector status.