Footballer Michael Vorm spotted wearing a Rolex

On the eve of the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final in Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michael Vorm was spotted wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner Date reference 116610LV — the celebrated 'Hulk' — as his club prepared for one of the biggest nights in their history against Liverpool. The sighting underscores the Submariner's enduring status as the default choice of elite athletes dressing with intent.

The Rolex Submariner Date 116610LV was introduced at Baselworld 2010, immediately distinguishing itself from the standard black-bezelled 116610LN with its bold all-green aesthetic. The 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel houses the calibre 3135 automatic movement — a self-winding workhorse with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and COSC-level precision. The green Cerachrom bezel insert, virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant, represented a significant materials upgrade over the earlier aluminium bezel. Water resistance sits at 300 metres.

The 116610LV quietly built a devoted collector following across its decade-long production run. Rolex discontinued it in 2020, replacing both Submariner Date variants with the 41mm reference 126610LV — itself now nicknamed the 'Starbucks.' That discontinuation transformed the Hulk from a desirable sports watch into a genuine collector's piece. Grey-market values surged accordingly, with clean examples commanding multiples of the original list price.

Vorm, a Dutch international with a long career across Premier League clubs, chose a watch that speaks to understated confidence rather than ostentation — the Submariner has always occupied that space. The Champions League Final backdrop adds a pleasing narrative layer: a watch built for depth and pressure, worn by a man whose entire position is defined by performing under it. His teammate Jan Vertonghen was simultaneously spotted that same evening wearing the stainless steel ceramic Rolex Daytona ref. 116500, making it a strong night for Rolex on the Spurs roster.

At a UK list price of £6,950 at the time of sighting, the 116610LV was already trading well above retail on the grey market. Today, discontinued examples in good condition consistently clear the $20,000 mark among private sellers, with pristine full-set pieces pushing considerably higher depending on provenance and condition.