{"id":10473,"date":"2024-04-13T09:00:38","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T09:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=10473"},"modified":"2025-07-24T06:58:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T06:58:37","slug":"rolex-batman-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2022\/11\/09\/rolex-gmt-master-ii-batman-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rolex GMT-Master II Batman<\/a> is one of the most well-loved sports watches, not just within the Rolex catalog, but in the watch industry. The Oystersteel construction and now iconic black and blue ceramic bezel proved to be versatile and enduring \u2013 and with recent upgrades, it garnered even more appreciation within the watch community.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at the history of the Rolex Batman, and the different editions available.
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Introducing the Rolex Batman<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The split-color bezel of the Rolex GMT-Master<\/a> series has been its signature trait since it launched in 1954. Created to aid pilots, the GMT-Master\u2019s bezel helps indicate a second timezone and daytime and nighttime hours through its bi-colored bezel.<\/p>\n

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Rolex GMT-Master II Batman Blue Black Bezel 116710 BLNR<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The famous bezel has been crafted in Bakelite and anodized aluminum since then, and with the introduction of the Cerachrom ceramic insert in 2005, it was inevitable for the GMT-Master II to follow. However, Rolex admitted that it would be challenging to use a single Cerachrom block for their bi-colored bezel. For the next eight years, Rolex worked on perfecting the method of using a single piece of Cerachrom with two different but crisp colors.<\/p>\n

In 2013, Rolex was finally ready to introduce it to the public, and it came in the form of reference 116710 BLNR \u2013 now known as the Rolex Batman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Rolex GMT Master II Black Blue Batman Bezel Steel Mens Watch 116710<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It sent the watch world abuzz. Not only was it the first ceramic bezel watch to be made in clean, two-tone colorway, it also came in a handsome black and blue combination. At the time, it was also the only bi-color GMT-Master II model available in stainless steel. The guests at Baselworld 2013 knew that Rolex had just launched a classic.<\/p>\n


\nWhat\u2019s in name?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Rolex watches are famous for having nicknames, and anyone who\u2019s into watches would certainly know what a Pepsi, Root Beer, or Kermit is. While none of these are in the official Rolex literature, they are used fondly by collectors and they certainly make it easier to discuss watches.<\/p>\n

The \u201cBLNR\u201d in the Batman\u2019s official name is a suffix for bleu \/ noir<\/em> or blue \/ black in English.<\/em> Rolex uses suffixes for their watches in order to help identify the watch from its name alone. These come from French words because as a Geneva-based company, it is the official language of Rolex.<\/p>\n