From Paul Newman to Garry Kasparov, and a soft drink to superheroes, let’s take a look at how a selection of famous watches got their nicknames…
Like me, you’d probably be amazed and amused to discover that just as superheroes harbour secret identities – think Batman and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne – many watches too attract aliases that seem to capture the essence and spirit of what that timepiece is all about. In terms of a watch’s collectability, achieving nickname status only adds value. Interestingly, Rolex has the lion’s share of nicknames bestowed upon their watches, whilst Patek Philippe watches tend to be referred to by their 4-digit reference numbers – perhaps that works as a refined nickname of sorts.
Once a watch is out there in the watch-o-sphere, its nickname seems to find it unofficially and independently of the maker. These alternative monikers whimsically and wittily encapsulate design features, historical and sporting milestones, and famous identity references that elevate these watches from timekeepers to storytellers.
Personally, I am a fan of the nicknamed watch. Not only do I find it endearing in how they cleverly tap into popular culture, but on a practical level, when identifying a model, it’s far easier to remember a Rolex “Batman” than its official reference of 116710BLNR.
From the famous to infamous, here is a selection of endearing, quirky monikers that are as revealing about their watches as they are humorous:
Batman and Batgirl (Rolex GMT-Master II ref 116710BLNR and Rolex GMT-Master II ref 126710BLNR)
These watches got their nicknames for the colour pairing of the blue and black, reminiscent of the caped crusaders’ classic comic book colours.
Kermit (Rolex Submariner ref 16610LV)
A nod to the genius of Jim Henson, this watch earned its label when Rolex fitted a never-before-seen green bezel on a dive watch.
The Hulk (Rolex Submariner ref 116610LV)
This Submariner went into colour green overdrive when they added a matching green dial to the green bezel along with a heavier case. If full green is a bridge too far, relax, there’s always a Sprite (Rolex GMT-Master II ref 126720VTNR) in a lively green and black colour scheme as a refreshing option, just like the effervescent beverage itself.
The John Player Special (Rolex Paul Newman Daytona ref 6241)
In an interesting turn of events, this watch bears a nickname for an already nicknamed watch, the Paul Newman Daytona ref 6239. In the 1970s, the tobacco and cigarette manufacturer John Player Special sold their products in beautiful black and gold packaging. This luxurious colour scheme recalled the black and 14ct gold dial of the watch which would come to be known as the John Player Special, making it rarer and more-sought after than most Paul Newman models.
Sophia Loren aka The Fat Lady (Rolex GMT-Master ref 16760)
Unlike Paul Newman, acting legend Sophia Loren never wore her namesake watch. Instead, this GMT-Master was nicknamed after Loren because of the bigger size and shape of its Oyster case and the bezel and crown guards. These sweeping, seductive curves recall the Italian actress, but perhaps less flatteringly, this GMT model is also referred to as the Fat Lady.
Snowflake (Tudor Submariner ref 7016 and 7021)
So dubbed because of the off-beat aesthetic of the watch’s hour hand, in which collectors saw a resemblance to the six needles of an ice crystal.
Viceroy (Heuer Autavia ref 1163V)
Another cigarette and watch association came in the cross promotional campaign between Heuer and Viceroy. Viceroy was seeking to attach its cigarettes to auto racing and more masculine activities to compete with Marlboro, and Heuer hoped to boost sales and reach through a promotional watch offer that included Viceroy cigarettes. The watch offered during this campaign became known as Viceroy.
Kasparov (Audemars Piguet Blue Dial Royal Oak ref 25860ST)
Who better to appreciate the importance of time than a chess player who not only competes with an opponent but against time itself – if it runs out, so does the game. The moniker Kasparov was given to the 39mm Royal Oak Chronograph introduced in 1997 which became the watch of choice of the Russian Chess Grand Master, Garry Kasparov, considered one of the greatest chess players of all time.
Tuna Can (Seiko Professional Diver’s ref 6519-7010)
One thing I’ve learnt in my watch researching journey is to never underestimate Seiko. True to their philosophy of pursuing perfection and innovation, in 1979 they produced a dive watch for professional offshore divers. The Tuna Can was so nicknamed because of its cylindrical slab of lugless casing, a marvel of modern watchmaking. Its monocoque titanium case, L-shaped gasket, and unique shrouded design were all firsts in the industry and its impact on dive-watch design cannot be overstated.
By Patricia Kontos, Senior Jewels & Timepieces Specialist
Top Image: Life Magazine advertisement for Heuer and Viceroy, 1972 / Alamy
July 2024