In short
- The Rolex Batman is the steel GMT-Master II with a blue and black ceramic bezel.
- There are two references: the 116710BLNR (2013 to 2019) on the Oyster bracelet, and the 126710BLNR (from 2019) on the Jubilee or, since 2021, the Oyster.
- On the Jubilee bracelet, many collectors call it the Batgirl.
- The quickest tells are the bracelet, the small crown at 6 o'clock on the newer dial, and the reference on the papers.
- Check the bezel, the bracelet, the papers and the service history before you buy.
The Rolex Batman is the nickname for the steel GMT-Master II with a two-colour blue and black Cerachrom bezel. Since its launch in 2013 it has become one of the most wanted modern Rolex sports watches, and the name now covers two references and two bracelets. This page explains how to tell them apart, what the Rolex Batgirl is, what to check when buying one pre-owned, and how the Batman compares with the other GMT-Master II nicknames.
Why is it called the Rolex Batman?
The blue and black bezel echoes the colours of Batman's classic comic-book costume, and collectors gave the watch the name almost as soon as it appeared. Rolex has never used it. Officially the watch is simply the GMT-Master II with a blue and black bezel, and the BLNR at the end of the reference is widely read as bleu and noir.
The bezel was more than a colour choice. When Rolex introduced the 116710BLNR at Baselworld 2013, it was the first time the brand had made a single ceramic bezel insert in two colours. Ceramic resists fading and scratching far better than the aluminium inserts used on earlier GMT-Masters, so getting two clean colours into one ceramic piece was a genuine technical step forward.
The first Rolex Batman: 116710BLNR
The original Rolex Batman, reference 116710BLNR, was made from 2013 to 2019. It has a 40mm Oystersteel case, a black dial, a blue 24-hour hand and the blue and black Cerachrom bezel. It was only ever fitted with the Oyster bracelet, with its three-piece links, Oysterlock folding clasp and Easylink comfort extension.
Inside is the calibre 3186, with a Parachrom hairspring and a power reserve of around 48 hours. The 116710BLNR is the reference that made the nickname famous, and for many collectors it remains the classic version: sporty, slightly tool-like on the Oyster, and with no ambiguity about which watch it is.
The current Rolex Batman: 126710BLNR
In 2019 Rolex replaced the 116710BLNR with the 126710BLNR. The case size, dial and bezel colours stayed almost the same, but two things changed. The movement became the calibre 3285, with a power reserve of around 70 hours and the Chronergy escapement, and the watch moved onto the five-piece Jubilee bracelet, which Rolex had brought back to the steel GMT-Master II with the Pepsi the year before.
In 2021 Rolex added the Oyster bracelet back as an option, so the 126710BLNR now exists on both. That gives you three Rolex Batman configurations to choose from on the pre-owned market: the 116710BLNR on Oyster, the 126710BLNR on Jubilee and the 126710BLNR on Oyster.
Rolex Batman or Rolex Batgirl?
When the 126710BLNR arrived on the Jubilee bracelet, collectors started calling it the Rolex Batgirl. The name is a nod to the dressier, more decorative bracelet rather than to the size: it is the same 40mm watch, and it suits men and women alike. Some people use Batgirl only for the Jubilee version; others use Batman for every blue and black GMT-Master II. Both are informal.
The bracelet changes the character of the watch more than you might expect. The Jubilee's small, polished centre links catch the light and drape comfortably around the wrist, so the watch looks a little more elegant. The Oyster's broad, flat three-piece links make the Rolex Batman look more like the tool watch it was designed to be. If you can, try both before you decide.
How to tell a 116710BLNR from a 126710BLNR
The two generations look very similar in photographs, so it is worth knowing exactly where to look:
- The bracelet. A Rolex Batman on a Jubilee bracelet from the factory is a 126710BLNR. On an Oyster bracelet it could be either, so check the other points.
- The crown at 6 o'clock. The 126710BLNR has a small Rolex crown between the words "Swiss" and "Made" below the 6 o'clock marker. The 116710BLNR does not.
- The movement. Calibre 3186 in the 116710BLNR, calibre 3285 in the 126710BLNR. You cannot see it without opening the case, but the power reserve gives a clue: around 48 hours against around 70.
- The papers. The reference on the warranty card should match the reference engraved on the case between the lugs.
Be careful with a 116710BLNR that has been fitted with a Jubilee bracelet, or a 126710BLNR whose original bracelet has been swapped. Neither is necessarily a problem, but the original bracelet is part of the value, so ask whether it is included.
What to check when buying a pre-owned Rolex Batman
A Rolex Batman can be anything from a few months to over a decade old, so condition and history vary widely. These are the checks that matter on this model:
- The ceramic insert. Look for chips at the edge of the insert and around the numerals. Ceramic does not fade, so the blue should look as crisp as the day it was made.
- The bezel action. The bezel turns in both directions and clicks into each hour position. It should feel firm and precise.
- The bracelet. Older 116710BLNR bracelets can show stretch between the links. Check the clasp closes firmly and the Easylink extension works.
- Polishing. Sharp edges on the lugs and crisp lines between brushed and polished surfaces suggest little or no polishing.
- Service history. On a 116710BLNR, ask when it was last serviced and whether there is paperwork. On a recent 126710BLNR, check whether it is still within Rolex's guarantee.
- Originality. Ask whether the insert, dial, hands and bracelet are original to the watch.
The papers should show the reference, the serial and the date of the first sale, and both numbers should match the watch. For more on this, see our guide to Rolex reference numbers and our general checklist for buying a pre-owned Rolex.
Which Rolex Batman should you buy?
There is no wrong answer, only different priorities. The 116710BLNR is the original, Oyster-only reference, and some collectors prefer it for exactly that reason. The 126710BLNR has the newer movement with its longer power reserve, a more recent date on the papers and the choice of bracelet.
When it comes to value, the factors are the same for both: the reference, the bracelet, the condition of the case and insert, whether the watch has its box, papers and spare links, and whether it is still within Rolex's guarantee. A full set in honest, unpolished condition is always the easiest Rolex Batman to sell again later.
It also helps to think about how you will wear it. Someone who wants a single steel watch for everything often leans towards the 126710BLNR on the Jubilee, while someone who already owns a dressier watch may prefer the purposeful look of the Oyster. When we hold more than one version, we are happy to put them side by side for you at the showroom.
Box and papers for a Rolex Batman
A full set for either reference usually means the inner and outer box, the warranty card, the booklets and any bracelet links removed when the watch was sized. The card is the important part: it should show the reference, the serial number and the date the watch was first sold, and both numbers should match the watch exactly.
The date also tells you about the guarantee. A 116710BLNR sold new after July 2015, and every 126710BLNR, was sold with Rolex's five-year guarantee, so a recent example may still be covered. A watch without papers is not necessarily a problem if it has been properly authenticated, but a complete set is reassuring and makes the watch easier to sell later. Our guide to box and papers explains more.
Wearing a Rolex Batman every day
At 40mm the GMT-Master II sits comfortably on most wrists, and the case is water resistant to 100 metres, so it copes with swimming and everyday knocks as easily as long-haul flights. The Cyclops lens over the date makes it easy to read, and the Chromalight lume on the hands and markers glows blue in the dark.
The colours are versatile too. Blue and black works with navy suits, denim and almost anything in between, which is a large part of why the Rolex Batman has become such a popular one-watch choice. If you wear it on the Jubilee, it moves even more easily from the office to the evening; on the Oyster, it feels more at home with casual clothes and travel.
The Rolex Batman and its GMT-Master II siblings
All the current GMT-Master II models share the 40mm case, the 24-hour bezel and the calibre 3285, so the choice is mostly about colour, metal and bracelet:
- Bruce Wayne. The 126710GRNR, with a grey and black bezel. Its nickname is Batman's alter ego, because it is the quieter version of the same idea.
- Pepsi. Red and blue, the original GMT colours; the steel 126710BLRO was discontinued in 2026.
- Root Beer. Brown and black, with Everose gold in the case.
- Sprite. Green and black, with the crown and date on the left-hand side.
If you want the most versatile steel GMT, the Batman and the Bruce Wayne are the two to compare. The blue and black is more distinctive; the grey and black is more discreet.
Travelling with a Rolex Batman
The GMT-Master II was designed for people who cross time zones. Leave the blue 24-hour hand on home time, then jump the hour hand forwards or backwards to local time when you land, without stopping the watch; the date follows the hour hand. On the Rolex Batman the blue half of the bezel covers the daytime hours and the black half the night, so you can see at a glance whether it is a sensible time to call home.
Turn the bezel and you can read a third time zone as well. The official Rolex GMT-Master II page sets out the current models and their specifications.
How buying a Rolex Batman from us works
Before any watch is offered for sale it is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists, and we record its serial number, bracelet number, movement identifiers and case markings. Every listing says whether the box and papers are included.
- Ask about the watch. Call 0330 043 7777 or message us on WhatsApp for extra photographs, a video or a check on how it is running.
- Reserve it if you need time. A £100 deposit holds the watch for 3 working days. The deposit is non-refundable, but on request it can be used as store credit towards another watch.
- View it or buy online. Book an appointment to see it in Hatton Garden, or buy online, with Klarna finance available at checkout.
- Checks and dispatch. Orders are prepared within 2 to 3 working days of payment clearing. We may ask for identity or payment verification, and we ship only to verified addresses.
- Delivery and returns. UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for. You have 14 days to return the watch for a full refund.
- Inspected and authenticatedEvery watch is checked by experienced specialists, with serial numbers and components verified before it is offered.
- 12-month warrantyPre-owned pieces carry a 12-month warranty against movement defects. Unworn watches carry the manufacturer's own cover.
- Fully insured deliveryFree, fully insured and signed-for delivery across the UK.
- 14-day returnsFourteen days to change your mind from the day your watch arrives. We cover the return postage.
Pre-owned watches carry our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. If the Rolex Batman you want is not in stock, we source specific watches for clients on request.
View a Rolex Batman in Hatton Garden
The difference between the Oyster and the Jubilee is much easier to judge on the wrist than on a screen. Our Hatton Garden showroom is at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, in the heart of London's jewellery quarter and a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations.
All viewings are by appointment, so you will have the room to yourself. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm, and closed on Sunday.
Selling or part exchanging your Rolex Batman
We buy watches directly for our own stock, so there is no broker and no consignment. For a quick initial valuation, send photographs of your Rolex Batman on WhatsApp; for a free, no-obligation valuation in person, book an appointment. Bring the box, papers and any spare links, because a complete set is valued higher.
When we have agreed a price and authenticated the watch in person, we pay by secure bank transfer within 24 hours, with no fees or commission. If you cannot come in, we pay for fully insured postage or collection. Read more on selling a GMT-Master II and selling a Rolex, or use your watch towards another through part exchange.
Rolex Batman FAQs
What is the Rolex Batman?
It is the nickname for the steel Rolex GMT-Master II with a blue and black Cerachrom bezel: the 116710BLNR made from 2013 to 2019, and the 126710BLNR introduced in 2019.
What is the Rolex Batgirl?
Batgirl is the name many collectors use for the 126710BLNR on the Jubilee bracelet. It is the same 40mm watch as the Batman, with a dressier five-piece bracelet.
Is the Rolex Batman on an Oyster or a Jubilee bracelet?
The 116710BLNR came only on the Oyster bracelet. The 126710BLNR launched on the Jubilee in 2019, and Rolex added the Oyster as an option in 2021.
How can I tell which Rolex Batman I am looking at?
Check the reference on the papers and between the lugs, look for the small crown between "Swiss" and "Made" at 6 o'clock, which only the 126710BLNR has, and look at the bracelet.
What is the difference between the Batman and the Bruce Wayne?
The Bruce Wayne, 126710GRNR, has a grey and black bezel and a green 24-hour hand instead of blue and black with a blue hand. Case, size and movement are the same as the 126710BLNR.
Does a pre-owned Rolex Batman come with a warranty?
Ours come with a 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. A watch sold new since July 2015 may still be within Rolex's five-year guarantee, in which case Rolex's terms apply.
Can you source a Rolex Batman for me?
Yes. Tell us the reference, the bracelet and whether you need box and papers, and we will let you know what we can find.
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Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
