Rolex Kermit vs. Starbucks: how do they compare?

You’ll be forgiven if the name Kermit does not ring any bells, as it has been long since the green frog graced our screens. That Kermit, Starbucks, and Rolex can be in the same sentence is interesting, and the first time I heard of it, I wanted to find out more. My search led me to the exciting world of luxury watches. In this post, I’ll be sharing what Kermit and Starbucks Rolex watches are and how they compare. Read on to find out which is better.

What are the differences between Rolex Kermit vs. Starbucks

Features	Rolex Kermit	Rolex Starbucks
What it’s made of (material)	Rolex uses proprietary steel that is more corrosion and straight resistant for the Starbucks bracelet and case. Same material as the Starbucks.	The case and bracelet are made of Oystersteel 904L steel which is scratch and corrosion-resistant. Similar material used.
Oyster Case	The hermetic Oyster case has a case back, bezel, and crown that screws down onto the middle case. Has a similar case.	The airtight Oyster case comprises a case back, bezel, and winding crown that fastens down tightly against the middle case. Has a similar case.
Bezel	Feature a green anodized aluminum bezel in a lighter color similar to the Muppet ‘Kermit’. The bezel is rotatable with silver gear-like edges for grip; and a glowing marker on the zero for legibility in the dark. The aluminum bezel is not fade-proof.	The bezel is a darker shade of green for the Rolex-patented Cerachrom ceramic; is rotatable with silver gear-like edges for grip; and a glowing marker on the zero for legibility in the dark. The ceramic bezel is fade and corrosion-proof.
Luminous Marker	Features luminescent markers on the dial to indicate hours, and on the analog clock hands, with a glowing Mercedes sign on the hour hand. Has shorter hour and minute hands.	Features luminescent hour markers in simple shapes and markers on the hour and minute hands. Has longer hour and minute hands.
Oyster Bracelet	The Oystersteel Solid-link bracelet is equipped with an Oysterlock.	Features oystersteel Solid end-link bracelet which has an Oysterlock clasp and Rolex’s Glidelock system. Similar bracelet.
Water Resistance	This submariner has a water-resistance depth of 300 meters. Similar water resistance as Starbucks’.	Has a water-resistance depth of 1000 feet=300 meters. Similar water resistance to Kermit’s.
Dial	Maxi dial in black with luminescent Chromalight display for better visibility in dark environments. Retains a similar dial to that of some of the earlier submariners.	Has a similar Maxi dial in black with a luminescent Chromalight display for better visibility in dark environments.
Case diameter	40 mm case diameter. Has a smaller watch case.	41 mm case diameter. The length gives this watch a more elongated face.
Calibre (movement)	Calibre 3135 which lasts 48 hours after full winding. Less advanced calibre.	Calibre 323X which lasts 70 hours. More advanced calibre.
Price	Approximately $24,000. More expensive.	Approximately $13,000. Less expensive.
Clasp Type	Has Rolex Oysterlock clasp wits Glidelock extension system for tools-free adjustments.	Features the steel fold Oysterlock clasp with Rolex’s Glidelock system for on-the-fly, no tools adjustments. Has a similar clasp type.
Crystal	Scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal with cyclops lens over the date window. No anti-glare	Scratch-resistant Sapphire Crystal. Has anti-glare.
Case Back	Fluted solid steel case back.	Fluted solid steel piece. Universal Submariner case back.
Complications	Date Window; Rotatable bezel for dive and decompression timing.	Date Window for the Calibre 3235 series; Rotatable bezel monitoring diving and decompression time. Share the same complications.
Size	Has a 40 mm case diameter, a height of 13 mm, and fits up to a 200mm 8-inch wrist.	Has a 41 mm case diameter, a height of 13 mm, and fits up to an 8-inch wrist. Looks flatter due to the wider case.
Availability	Watch discontinued in 2010, making it only available in the second-hand market. Difficult to get.	Watch is still in production, but high in demand with a long wait listing. Much easier to get.

Rolex Kermit vs. Starbucks: How do they compare?

What it’s made of (material)

Both the Kermit and the Starbucks cases and bracelets are made of Oystersteel, Rolex’s exclusive 904L steel that retains an attractive finish that you will be happy to wear. This steel is highly resistant to corrosion and scratches, making it ideal for diver watches.

It is a draw as far as material is concerned because the Rolex Kermit and Starbucks are made of the same oystersteel.

Oyster Case

The oyster case gets its name from its ability to remain impermeable and is made of Rolex’s oystersteel stainless steel. It offers protection to the watch components from water damage and consists of the case back, bezel, and crown that fasten down tightly against the middle case. This case ensures your watch does not get damaged up to a depth of about 1,000 feet.

It is a draw for the oyster case, which is identical to the two watches.

Bezel

The Kermit gets its name from this lighter green anodized aluminum bezel, which is different from the Starbucks’ Cerachrom bezel insert. It is a hard, fade-resistant, scratch-resistant, and corrosion-resistant ceramic. It is also glossier and has a deeper green hue compared to aluminum. Both bezels have a stainless-steel grip edge and offer unidirectional rotation, a common feature with Rolex submariners. The 60-minute graduation will help you monitor your dive duration and decompression pauses accurately and safely.

Starbucks has a more durable bezel and therefore wins in this category.

Luminous Marker

Both watches have luminescent hour markers in simple shapes – circles, triangles, and rectangles made of 18k gold and marked with the hour and minute hands. This means you’ll be able to tell the time even from the depths of the ocean. The Starbucks has a tad longer hour and minute hands compared to the Kermit.

Although both feature similar luminous markers, Starbucks wins for the slightly longer more visible hands.

Oyster Bracelet

The Kermit and Starbucks submariners 904L solid-link Oystersteel wristband is both sporty and durable. The bracelet is made of flat three-piece links, which are the Oyster bracelet collection’s mainstay. It has an attractively brushed trim on the wide faces of its links, making it easy for you to wear for other occasions besides during your dive.

The bracelets on the two watches are well proportionate to their cases, and therefore it is a draw in this category.

 Water Resistance

The two watches feature a water-resistance depth of about 1000 feet, the best for any Rolex submariner.

It is a draw for water resistance.

Dial

Both the Starbucks and the Kermit feature Rolex’s Maxi dial in black with a luminescent Chromalight display for you to see better in dark environments. This dial is straightforward, consisting mainly of time indicators and an aperture for the date on the submariner date versions.

The dials have identical properties, so it is a draw in this category.

Case diameter

The Starbucks is slightly wider, with a case diameter of 41 mm compared to the Kermit’s 40 mm. The extra length makes the Starbucks the larger watch of the two.

Starbucks is the winner for being the larger watch. 

Calibre (movement)

The Rolex Kermit 16610LV is operated by the Rolex Calibre 3135 movement. It uses a Parachrom hairspring and is self-winding because it is automatic (perpetual rotor). The watch has a central hour, minute, and second hand, and a 48-hour power reserve. The Starbucks 126610LV differs in that it uses the Rolex Calibre 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. Both are COSC-certified chronometers.

The more advanced Calibre 3235 makes Starbucks the winner in this category.

Price

Since it was discontinued in 2010, the Rolex Kermit is only available on the second-hand market. This, together with the fact that it is a commemorative piece, makes it very expensive, with the current price being more than $24,000. You can find Starbucks at watch retailers because it is still in production or on the second-hand market. The price was more than $13,000 due to high demand.

The Rolex Kermit is currently the most expensive watch and the winner in this category.

Clasp Type

Watch securement on hand and bracelet length adjustments are made using the steel fold Oysterlock clasp. The clasp includes Rolex’s innovative “Glidelock” extension system, which allows for 20 mm of sizing in 2 mm increments with no tools. To adjust your watch size, tug on the bracelet link, disengage the lock from the detents on the clasp’s underside and slide the link into a notch machined into the clasp edges.

Since the two watches use similar clasps, it is a draw in this category.

Crystal

The Kermit has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a cyclops lens over the date that magnifies it to make it easier for you to read. Starbucks has a similar crystal, but with anti-glare as a new additional feature.

Starbucks wins for the anti-glare on the crystal.

Case Back

The case back is still edged with fine fluting for both watches, as with most Submariners, allowing it to be bolted down airtight against the middle case. The case back on these divers’ watches is made of oystersteel.

The two watches have similar case backs, making it a draw in this category.

Complications

Both watches have a unidirectional rotatable bezel, which allows the diver to track diving time and decompression pauses, and a date window for the submariner date version, which are both added to the time-keeping function.

Similarly, it is a draw for complications, as the two watches have identical additional features.

Size

On the one hand, the Starbucks has a 41-mm case diameter and weighs 159 grams, compared to the Kermits’ 40-mm case diameter and 133 grams. The size difference is noticeable, and you’ll be able to feel the weight difference. Two good reasons why you should always see, try or let the wearer fit the watch you intend to buy before making the payment.

Both watches have good size and proportion. Whether one is better than the other depends on individual preferences, so it is a draw for size as well.

Availability

The Rolex Kermit is not easily available. The watch was discontinued more than ten years ago after a short seven-year stint. All pieces are in the second-hand market, with varying degrees of use. Although the Starbucks watch is still in production, it is one of the most sought-after and difficult-to-obtain watches in the brand’s lineup.

Because it is still possible to get a new Starbucks, it wins for being more available.

Rolex Kermit vs. Starbucks: A comparison overview

Rolex Kermit Overview

The Rolex 16610LV, also known as “The Kermit,” is the 50th Anniversary Submariner watch from Rolex. It comes in a vibrant green that stands out against the black dial. Aside from the obvious change in bezel color, the 16610LV was the first Submariner to feature the new maxi dial. Because of the similarities in shading between the Muppet and this Submariner bezel, collectors began calling the 16610LV the “Kermit.”

This is a ‘maxi-dial,’ which connotes the larger markers and hands, allowing for better visibility and more lumen when reading the time at night. Like many submariners, the Kermit has a 300 m water resistance, a 40 mm case, a 13 mm thickness, and employs the calibre 3135.

From 2003, the Kermit was produced for seven years and went through nine variations. The ‘Flat 4’ found in early generations of the 16610LV is a significant difference between generations. Because of the quirkiness of the 4 on the bezel, the “Flat 4” is a highly prized version of the Kermit. Rolex fans and watch collectors seek to get this timepiece, sometimes at over-the-top prices. This ‘Flat 4’ refers to the bezel’s 40-marker. Earlier models had a flat top rather than a pointed end.

There were also a few color variations along the way. Typically, a motorsports green color was applied to the aluminum, but a lighter, olive-green color was used at one time, earning the nickname “Bertolli” for the olive oil brand. It should be noted that this olive oil-colored bezel was only available with the ‘Flat 4’.

The Kermit remains a sought-after submariner not only for the fact that it is a commemorative watch but also for its comfortable profile and glamorous design.

What I liked

• Robust build.
• Lively green color.
• High water resistance.
• Valuable investment.

What I didn’t like

• Fading color on the bezel
• Very expensive.

 What are customers saying?

Attractive, light, and versatile watch to own, can be used while diving or as a dress watch. This watch is also one of the most valued by collectors and Rolex enthusiasts who value it for being a rare anniversary watch.

 Rolex Starbucks Overview

The Starbucks Submariner received a 41mm case size upgrade from 40mm and the new Calibre 3235. This release also reinstated the black dial Submariner and the green bezel insert, this time with a fade-resistant ceramic material called Cerachrom in the palette of the fiftieth anniversary Kermit, which is why some people initially dubbed it ‘Kermit 2.0’ or ‘Cermit,’ merging ceramic and Kermit, but the “Starbucks” Submariner stuck. Many collectors compare the coffee emblem’s black interior and green brand image to the black dial and green bezel of the 2020 Submariner ref. 126610LV.

The Rolex Starbucks comes in Submariner and Submariner Date models, with calibres 3230 and 3235, respectively. The balance mechanism of the 3235 automatic calibre movement is a paramagnetic oscillator, which gives the caliber greater synchronization and winding factor reliability.

The 2020 submariners are distinguished by the paraflex shock absorber, which protects the watch from traumas that could impair its precision. Rolex watches equipped with this new movement are 50% more resistant to shock than older calibres.

In addition, Rolex invented and patented the Chronergy escapement, which improved on the standard Swiss lever escapement used in older calibres. Both movements’ power reserves have been increased to approximately 70 hours.

Other notable changes introduced to the Rolex by Starbucks make the watch appear more elegant. The bracelet is a little wider, creating a more streamlined transition and an improved proportion to the slightly larger case. The inclusion of the tiny coronet logo between the words “Swiss” and “Made” at 6 o’clock is noticeable on the dial and adds a nice touch. The hands have been reworked—the minute hand is larger, and the “Mercedes” hour hand is also bigger.

What I liked

• Elegant design.
• Better shock resistance.
• increased energy reserve
• Self-winding movement

What I didn’t like

• The Bezel 60-minute scale is not entirely graduated.
• Too much writing on the dial

 What are customers saying?

The Rolex Starbucks is subtle enough for everyday wear but playful enough for special occasions such as dinners, business meetings, and so on.

 Final Verdict: So, which is better? Rolex Kermit vs. Starbucks?

The Rolex Starbucks is better than the Kermit as it is packed with innovative features such as a durable ceramic bezel; a better shock absorber; better visibility in and out of the water; and a more advanced caliber. Whereas the Kermit is a beautiful timepiece that commemorates significant dates in the history of the Rolex Submariner, it may only serve as memorabilia, rather than a practical watch for day-to-day use.

FAQ SECTION

Which has a better appearance between Rolex Kermit and Rolex Starbucks?

Both watches are good-looking, with the Kermit having a unique green color, and the Starbucks having a larger, more commanding case.

Is the Rolex Kermit more expensive than the Rolex Starbucks?

Yes. The Rolex Kermit is more scarce and therefore more expensive than the Rolex Starbucks.

Which is more popular between Rolex Kermit and Rolex Starbucks?

The Rolex Kermit is more popular as it is more sought after by collectors compared to the Rolex Starbucks.

Which is rare between Rolex Starbucks and Rolex Kermit?

The Rolex Kermit is rarer because it was discontinued in 2010.

Which one has better movement between Rolex Kermit and Rolex Starbucks?

The Rolex Starbucks has a better, more advanced movement than the Rolex Kermit.

Which one is easier to service between Rolex Kermit and Rolex Starbucks?

Both watches require the same level of service, and neither is easier compared to the other.