The History of Rolex Batman GMT-Master II: An Insider’s Look
When it comes to Rolex’s GMT-Master line, one model stands out from the pack – the eye-catching “Batman” with its striking blue and black bezel. This bold colorway didn’t just appear out of thin air. It represented a major milestone for Rolex, one that showcased their cutting-edge engineering prowess. Let’s dive deep into Batman’s backstory and uncover what makes it so unique.
Birth of a New Bezel Design
While two-tone bezels were nothing new for the GMT-Master collection back in 2013, crafting one from Rolex’s proprietary Cerachrom ceramic was a different beast entirely. You see, the brand had only been using Cerachrom for solid color bezels up to that point. Creating a bi-color bezel in this incredibly hard and scratch-resistant material was an immense challenge.
In fact, Rolex previously stated they couldn’t produce a two-tone Cerachrom bezel. That all changed with the introduction of the reference 116710BLNR, nicknamed the “Batman” due to its blue and black color scheme (BLNR stands for “Bleu Noir” in French). It marked the first time Rolex was able to manufacture a dual-color ceramic bezel insert.
How did they pull it off? Well, the watchmakers at Rolex aren’t too keen on divulging their proprietary secrets. But you can bet it involved some serious R&D to develop new manufacturing techniques for working with this incredibly hard ceramic material. The result was a rich blue and black bezel that stood out from earlier aluminum versions with its vibrant hues and unmatched scratch resistance.
Design Cues from Past and Present
While that unique bezel stole the spotlight, it was hardly the only detail that separated the Batman from previous GMT-Master models. Let’s break down some of its key attributes:
- Case and Bracelet: The 40mm Oystersteel case and Oyster bracelet gave it a classic Rolex sports watch aesthetic. That signature chunky lug design and robust build quality were on full display.
- Dial Details: Flip the watch over and you’re greeted by a black dial with large luminous “Maxi” hour markers for excellent legibility. A pop of color comes from the blue 24-hour hand matching that bezel insert.
- Inner Workings: Powering the Batman was the then-new Caliber 3186, featuring an antimagnetic Parachrom hairspring and independently adjustable hour hand for easy timezone tracking.
So while that blue and black ceramic bezel stole the show, Rolex blended plenty of traditional GMT design cues and modern movement tech into the first Batman reference. It respected the line’s heritage while pushing boundaries with its unique bezel execution.
Not Just Another Black and Blue Watch
You might be thinking, “Sure, that two-tone bezel looks sharp, but blue and black isn’t exactly a groundbreaking color combo for a watch.” And you’d be right – similar dual-tone bezels and dials were already utilized by other brands. So what made Batman so special besides being the first of its kind at Rolex?
For starters, that specific shade of blue Rolex chose was absolutely stunning. It’s a rich, lively hue that looked downright electric against the high-contrast black Cerachrom insert. This combo gave the Batman a high degree of wrist presence and versatility when paired with different wardrobes and environments.
Then there’s the simple fact that a Batman with a Cerachrom bezel would hold its dashing good looks practically forever. Say goodbye to faded, scratched aluminum bezels – this all-ceramic execution ensures the brilliant blue and black colorway stays fresh for decades of wear.
Between its vibrant color pairing, classic GMT stylings, and durable ceramic build, the Rolex Batman struck the perfect balance of tradition and modernity right out of the gate. No wonder it achieved instant “icon” status among enthusiasts and collectors.
See related: Rolex GMT Master II vs Submariner
Expanding the Line with New Options
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Batman’s roaring success prompted Rolex to double down on these bi-color ceramic bezels for the GMT-Master II line. Just a few years after the original 116710BLNR launched, they rolled out a second “Pepsi” reference with a red and blue bezel in 2018.
But that wasn’t all. In 2019, Rolex treated Batman to its first major update in the form of the new 126710BLNR. On the surface, not much changed – same 40mm case, black dial, and that mesmerizing blue and black bezel. Look closer, though, and you’ll spot a few key differences:
- New Movement: Upgraded to Rolex’s Caliber 3285 for increased 70-hour power reserve
- Redesigned Case: Slimmer lugs and an overall more refined, rounded profile on the wrist
- Bracelet Options: Most notably, the “Batgirl” version hit the scene with a dressier 5-link Jubilee bracelet in addition to the traditional Oyster.
Between those bracelet choices and the case updates, Rolex essentially spawned two visually distinct “flavors” of Batman for the first time. Fans could opt for the chunkier, sportier heritage look on the Oyster or embrace the slightly more elegant take with the Jubilee’s tapering links.
The Oyster bracelet option arrived a bit later in 2021. So within a few short years, the Rolex Batman went from a single straightforward stainless sports model to a trio of choices for different wrist sizes and style preferences. Not too shabby for a watch that started as a seemingly one-off limited edition.
Collecting the Rolex Batman Variants
Speaking of choices, the multiple Batman references give today’s collectors a fun set to hunt if they’re so inclined. We’ll break down the three main variants:
- Ref. 116710BLNR: This is the O.G. 2013 model, with the Caliber 3186 inside its 40mm Oyster case paired to, you guessed it, an Oyster bracelet. It’s the one that started the blue and black ceramic bezel craze. Discontinued but highly sought after.
- Ref. 126710BLNR “Batgirl”: The 2019 update arrived with a new movement and case refinements as mentioned earlier, but most notably offered the option of the Jubilee bracelet. That relatively dressier take drew “Batgirl” nicknames from fans.
- Ref. 126710BLNR: Splitting the difference in 2021, Rolex issued the latest current Batman on the classic Oyster bracelet again for those who preferred its foolish demeanor over the Jubilee’s tapering elegance.
Between the subtle tweaks in cases, bracelets, and calibers, it’s a fun little “Which Batman is Which?” game for avid Rolex collectors. Though with solid Oystersteel construction and ceramic bezels throughout, they all boast the bomber build quality the brand is known for.
Whichever variant you prefer, be prepared to pay a hefty premium if you want a Batman on the secondhand market these days. With their ongoing popularity and relative scarcity of production numbers each year, prices for these blue and black GMT-Masters tend to sit well above their reasonable MSRP starting points.
A Ceramic Trend Rolex Kicked Into Overdrive
When you look at the grand scheme of watchmaking trends that emerged in the last decade or so, the Rolex Batman played a pivotal role in accelerating one very specific shift: the rise of ceramic bezels across all types of sports and tool watches.
You see, while brands like Rado pioneered using high-tech ceramic cases and bracelets in the ’60s and ’70s, its application to actual watch bezels was relatively new in the early 2000s. Rolex didn’t embrace ceramic bezels until 2005 with the ref. 116600 Sea-Dweller “COMEX” edition, and they were solid black at that.
When the Rolex Batman GMT debuted eight years later flaunting that groundbreaking bi-color ceramic bezel execution, it kicked open the floodgates. Other brands that were slow to adapt ceramic quickly followed suit. Omega added colorful ceramic to their Planet Ocean line in 2016. Panerai now coats most of their Submersible divers in the stuff.
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find a new luxury sport or dive watch without some form of scratch-resistant ceramic protecting the bezel