Rolex Batman: Everything About the Blue and Black GMT-Master II

The Rolex Batman is the GMT-Master II with a blue and black Cerachrom bicolor bezel — one of the most recognizable two-tone ceramic bezels Rolex has ever produced. It exists in two references: the discontinued 116710BLNR (2013–2019) and the current 126710BLNR (2019–present). The watch community started calling it Batman the moment it launched, and the reason is obvious the second you see it. Nobody planned the nickname — it just stuck.

Where the Batman Nickname Came From

When Rolex unveiled the 116710BLNR at Baselworld 2013, the blue and black Cerachrom bezel did the talking. The color combination was so immediately recognizable that the watch community landed on Batman within days. No official naming, no marketing campaign — just collectors on forums making the connection between the colorway and the most famous blue-and-black hero in DC. This release (although it didn´t imply a big change, just a mere color change) was very popular, as the bisel color were never seen before on a gmt.

One thing worth clarifying early: Batman and Batgirl are not the same watch. The Rolex Batman is the GMT-Master II on an Oyster bracelet. The Rolex Batgirl is the exact same ref but fitted with a Jubilee bracelet (which came a Little after). The bracelets change the entire personality of the watch, and the community made that distinction for good reason. If you want the full breakdown of how they differ, there's a dedicated post covering that comparison — here we stay focused on the Batman specifically.

The Two Batman References

116710BLNR (2013–2019, Discontinued)

The original Rolex Batman 116710BLNR was the first GMT-Master II to feature a bicolor Cerachrom bezel in blue and black. It came standard on an Oyster bracelet and was powered by Caliber 3186 — a solid movement, but not the current generation. Rolex discontinued it in 2019 when the updated reference launched. It was considered one of the biggest bezel changes on the GMT model of the last period and the popularity of these changes on colors has resulted in several new GMT color models such as the Sprite or the Bruce Wayne.

Discontinued status has done what it always does: pushed secondary market prices up. Collectors who specifically want the 116710BLNR — whether for the caliber difference, the slightly different case proportions, or simply because it's no longer made — are paying a premium for it. Check Bob's Watches or Chrono24 for current pricing before you buy; the numbers move.

126710BLNR (2019–Present)

The current Rolex GMT Master II Batman upgrades the movement to Caliber 3285 — Rolex's Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, better precision. The case received minor but visible refinements. The bigger conversation starter was the addition of a Jubilee bracelet option alongside the original Oyster, which split the community immediately and generated more watch forum debate than almost anything else Rolex did that year.

For retail Rolex price increase , general pricing and authorized dealer availability, Rolex.com is your most reliable source. Secondary market premiums exist, but they've been moving.

What the Cerachrom Bezel Means for Strap Pairing

Cerachrom is Rolex's patented ceramic compound — scratch-resistant, UV-stable, and color-consistent for the life of the watch. Compare it to the aluminum inserts on the vintage 16710 and the difference is significant: the aluminum fades and scratches; the Cerachrom doesn't. That matters aesthetically over years of ownership.

But the angle that almost nobody talks about is this: the Rolex Batman ceramic bezel defines the entire color palette of the watch. When you choose a strap, you're not just picking a material — you're deciding how the bezel reads on your wrist.

On an Oyster bracelet, the bezel is one design element among several. On rubber, everything changes. The steel disappears from the wrist, the case sits cleaner, and the blue and black Cerachrom becomes the dominant visual element. That means your strap choice either amplifies the bezel — a Batman blue rubber creates a tonal continuation of the blue that makes the colorway feel intentional from case to strap — or neutralizes it, letting the bezel stand alone against a black rubber background. Neither is wrong. But it's a genuinely different decision than it is on bracelet, and most owners don't think about it until they've actually tried it.

Jubilee or Oyster on the Batman

The Oyster is three-link, sporty, tool watch in spirit. The Jubilee is five-link, dressier, and changes the entire wrist presence of the same case. On the Rolex Batman Jubilee, the watch softens — it works better across formal and business contexts without feeling out of place. On the Oyster, it reads as a pure sports watch.

Demand for the Jubilee version was dominant from the 126710BLNR's 2019 launch through roughly 2022, then the Oyster recovered ground as the market normalized. Both remain strong Sellers, one sits a the classical option, the jubilee (despite being also classic style) makes the piece look newer dressed on timepieces were collectors are not used to see them so often. The practical note for what comes next: both share a 20mm lug width, which means the entire aftermarket strap universe is open to both. No restrictions, no tradeoffs on compatibility.

The Jubilee vs Oyster debate assumes two options. A growing number of Batman owners have found a third: rubber for daily wear and travel, bracelet for the occasions that call for it.

How the Batman Feels on Rubber

Lug width is 20mm on both refs — full access to every quality aftermarket strap available. No narrowing, no curved-end scarcity issues like you see on larger case references.

One thing that matters on the GMT-Master II specifically: the Rolex Batman rubber strap needs to be curved-end. The crown guards and the angled case flanks create a visible gap with straight-end straps that breaks the aesthetic immediately. A proper curved-end FKM eliminates that gap and the watch looks like it was designed to wear rubber. It wasn't — but it looks like it was.

The Oysterlock safety clasp on the original bracelet mounts directly onto quality FKM rubber with a Rolex deployant — you keep the factory closure, you don't modify the watch OEM look, and you don't void the warranty. That last point matters to first-time Rolex rubber buyers: fitting an aftermarket rubber strap does not affect your Rolex guarantee, provided the original bracelet is preserved and the watch itself is unmodified.

The weight difference is the thing people consistently don't expect. The Oyster bracelet on the Batman runs around 150 grams. A quality FKM strap is closer to 35. The watch on rubber is a genuinely different experience on the wrist — lighter, faster, better for heat, better for water exposure. Three situations trigger the switch almost every time: summer, sport, and travel. In none of those contexts does going rubber compromise the watch.

What Batman Owners Actually Do With Their Strap

From what we see at Tempomat Madrid working with Rolex Batman owners day to day: the expectations coming in are consistent — less weight, more comfort, something that works for daily wear without putting the bracelet through unnecessary wear (preserving the secondary market value). What surprises almost everyone is the wrist feel on first try. The watch they thought they knew becomes something different.

The color pattern is clear. Navy Blue and Black are the dominant request by a significant margin — owners want the rubber to work with the bezel, not fight it. Black is the choice, typically from buyers who want maximum neutrality and let the blue and black Cerachrom do all the work visually. Other colors come up occasionally like grey or white, but the community has largely converged on blue and black rubber as the natural companions for this specific watch.

Two usage profiles emerge consistently. Some owners rotate — Oyster for dressed occasions, rubber Monday through Friday or on travel. Others make the switch near-permanent once they've tried it for a week, keeping the bracelet stored and reaching for the rubber automatically. The trigger is almost never aesthetic preference alone. It's comfort in heat, ease through airports, one less thing to think about on holiday. The Rolex Batman on rubber stops feeling like a compromise and starts feeling like the default.