Rolex GMT Master II Batman

June 7, 2024

The Rolex GMT Master II Batman with a blue and black Chroma ceramic bezel is another iconic watch from the world’s best-known luxury watch brand. This Rolex GMT Master II with it´s outstanding design was released in 2013 with reference number 116710BLNR.

Historical Background

Another iconic watch from Rolex is the “Batman,” with a blue and black Chroma ceramic bezel like that of the original Rolex GMT-Master that dates back to 1954. The blue and black GMT-Master II Rolex was released in 2013 with reference number 116710BLNR. Rolex Batman GMT-Master II has a short history. It has received various new versions and changes. It is often considered to be an add-on to the GMT-Master II series.

Here is the same example: Watch GMT-Master II 126710BLNR, which has the innovation of two different options of bracelets and enjoys the advantage of being the latest.The Rolex GMT-Master II has been greatly recognized among the luxury watch community after its recent upgrades; thanks to its additional enhancements, the GMT-Master II is now defined as an instant classic. To demonstrate the importance of every stage that led to the emergence of the “Batman” Rolex GMT-Master II, let’s take a deeper look at each of them individually.

Rolex Batman „The Beginning“

We can trace the origin of the Rolex Batman to the famous Rolex GMT-Master Reference 6542, which is generally regarded as the first of the brand’s creations. Along with its iconic fourth-hand and uniquely recognizable case, the original design reshaped the world at that time in a matter of hours. It was named “Rolex Pepsi” due to its unique design, which features a red and blue bi-directional bezel. Thus, the watch became synonymous with elegance and usefulness. Over time, the bezel’s materials have changed, such as Bakelite, anodized aluminum, and Cerachrom, which was invented by Rolex and is best known for being strong and fading very slowly. Besides this, in the film Goldfinger, it also acted as a reference.

Rolex GMT Master has undergone a number of changes in design and technology through the years, and in 1983, the new Rolex GMT-Master II 16760 was released. This upgraded version improves the functionality of the traveler moving between time zones by setting the hour hand independently without affecting the minute and seconds hand.

The first Rolex Batman

The watch world had a turning point when the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710BLNR (Batman Watch) was introduced at Baselworld 2013. The blue and black bezel was the first to be developed in this manner, and I think its smart and modern take on the GMT-Master’s iconic dual-toned bezel is something I appreciate.

For almost a decade, Rolex had been using their difficult Cerachrom ceramic alloy for bezels, but the brand was not able to apply it to a two-tone bezel until the Batman GMT.

What is remarkable, though, is that because of the high difficulty level associated with Cerachrom, which is a ceramic, the brand has publicly said that its ability to make only monochromatic Cerachrom bezels would be impossible until they declared the blue-black bezel.

Still, Rolex had the important eureka moment to discover a bi-color ceramic that stands out more than a simple aluminum one without such issues as breaking and fading. “BLNR” from “Bleu Noir” is part of the “Batman” inscription meant to convey the “Noir” (black) meaning of “Bleu” (blue), the French word for “Blue Black.”

For a period of time, the first steady bi-color ceramic bezel was not only the Batman bat but also the only existing GMT-Master II stainless steel model.

The Rolex Batman now

For the first time in just 2019, the Rolex Batman received an upgrade after being around for more than 6 years. The wristband was the most talked-about change, though, despite the fact that it had various exterior and interior improvements.

In contrast to the 116710BLNR, which was equipped with a three-link Oyster bracelet, the more recent 126710BLNR was coupled with a more classy five-link Jubilee bracelet (which also included an Easylink 5mm extension chain and a folding Oysterlock safety clasp). Others may call a different blue and black GMT watch a “Batgirl” instead of a “Batman” because it is more dressy.

While some considered the classy redesign of the series an expression of love for the sought-after Batman GMT-Master II, some of them preferred the oyster bracelet to maintain the original sportiness of the watch collection. However, in the history of the Jubilee bracelet, favor has been shown by Rolex when they also made it available on the early and vintage GMT-Master watches.

As regards this, it is safe to say that the new Jubilee bracelet became a hallmark of these new Rolex GMT watches that were pronouncedly different from the existing professional watch ranges that the company was offering.
Conversely, Rolex responded to requests from devotees of the oyster bracelet and made it an option for GMT-Master II 126710BLNR in 2021. Lovers of the Rolex Batman may opt for a wrist band, which is either an Oyster or the Jubilee.

The Jubilee bracelet is also a feature of the anniversary model, together with the slimmed-down case that was changed to thinner lugs and a modified shape to appear a tad more refined right on the wrist. Though both watches share the same 40mm case diameter, the silver-colored diver gets an advantage due to its luxurious and rugged look, while the basic steel version is more modest. While the 126710BLNR was a little more angular with sleek, sharp edges, the 126710BLNR was designed slightly slimmer and has a more curved shape for increased comfort on the wrist.

Of the many characteristics the latest Batman (or Batgirl, depending on your choice) possesses, among the highlights is the revised Caliber 3285 movement that offers a power reserve of 70 hours in contrast to the old 48 hours. When you take a close look at the Rolex 126710BLNR dial, you can see the Rolex crown between “Made” and „Switzerland.”