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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BATMAN ROLEX WATCH
Now that we've covered everything you need to know about the GMT Master II, we'd like to draw your attention to one GMT Master II in particular, often referred to as the Rolex Batman. Released after the famous “Pepsi”, one of the most famous to date. Among Rolex products, the Rolex GMT Batman is a model that has made its way to become iconic and reflects Rolex's watchmaking excellence. Launched in 2013, this watch has quickly become a classic thanks to its singular design marked by a black dial and black and blue bezel. If it's so named, it's not because it was worn on the wrist of the superhero. It takes its name from the color combination often associated with Gotham's masked vigilante. The Batman has established itself as one of Rolex's most popular watch models.
History of the Rolex Batman
The history of the Batman watch has its origins in the GMT Master, designed in the 1950s to meet the needs of Pan American World Airways (PanAm). The challenge was enormous: to create a watch capable of tracking two time zones simultaneously, enabling crews and especially pilots to stay connected to the local time of their destination while maintaining a link with their point of departure.
In other words, to be able to follow two different time zones simultaneously. Since the first reference 6542, introduced in 1956 and made famous by its appearance in the cult film Goldfinger, where it appeared on the wrist of actress Honor Blackman, playing the character of Pussy Galore, several models have subsequently seen the light of day. Each with its own differences and improvements, such as the rotating bezel of the GMT Master II 16760, which allows a third time zone to be tracked. The Rolex Batman continues Rolex's heritage and has become a must-have in the world of watchmaking for pilots and watch enthusiasts alike.
Over the years, the GMT Master has evolved, incorporating new technologies and improvements, culminating in the creation of the GMT Master II, which made it possible to track not two, but three time zones simultaneously. This functionality was made possible by the bi-directional rotating bezel and advanced internal mechanism. It was this constant evolution that paved the way for the introduction of the Rolex GMT Master II Batman in 2013.
Source : Hodinkee
Rolex GMT Batman features and developments
The Rolex GMT Batman ref.116710BLNR is iconic for its distinctive design. Indeed, at the time of its release in 2013, Rolex presented its first two-tone ceramic bezel. The Rolex Batman's black dial contrasts beautifully with the black and blue bezel, creating a visually harmonious and easily recognizable ensemble. It was also the first bezel of its kind in watchmaking history. The ceramic used is Cerachrom, a material emblematic of the “brand with the crown”. Introduced in 2011 and patented by Rolex, Cerachrom has revolutionized watch design, particularly for its scratch resistance, which previous watch models lacked.
The first Cerachrom ceramic bezel is introduced for the first time on the pink gold Daytona ref.116515. To create a two-tone bezel, another patented process involves applying black coloring to a porous blue ceramic bezel. It is through innovation that Rolex has become a guarantee of quality and exceptional craftsmanship, and the essential brand we know today. Mounted on an Oyster bracelet with three flat links, designed to be robust and durable, the Rolex GMT Batman features a caliber 3186 automatic movement, offering Rolex customers a 50-hour power reserve.
One of the remarkable aspects of the Rolex GMT Master II Batman is its luminescent display, designed to offer optimum legibility even in the darkest conditions. Thanks to the Chromalight technology developed by Rolex in 2008, the watch's hands and indexes emit an intense blue glow in the dark. Unlike other luminescent coatings, which lose their intensity after a few hours, Chromalight guarantees brightness for up to eight hours. This feature is particularly appreciated by customers (night travelers or pilots) who need to consult their watch in low-light environments.
As of 2019, six years later, Rolex presents the new version of the GMT Master Batman, ref.126710BLNR, also available under the name “Batgirl”. A true little sister to the first edition, the Batgirl is aesthetically distinguished from the Batman. While it retains the emblematic black and blue color duo, it is distinguished by its bracelet.
The Batgirl moves from a Oyster three-link steel bracelet to a Jubilee bracelet, which is a five-link steel bracelet designed to offer a more elegant and sophisticated look, making it suitable for formal events as well as more everyday use. The Jubilee bracelet is also equipped with an Easylink extension, enabling the length to be adjusted by around 5mm. Finally, it also features an Oysterlock clasp for a safe and secure closure.
In addition to this aesthetic change, the Batgirl also incorporates technical improvements. It is equipped with the automatic caliber 3285, a more recent movement offering an extended power reserve of 70 hours, compared with 50 hours for the Batman's caliber 3186. The new movement also boasts greater resistance to shocks and magnetic fields thanks to the use of the Parachrom balance-spring, an innovation developed by Rolex to improve the reliability and longevity of watches.
Source : Swiss Watch Expo
Despite these improvements, the Rolex GMT Batgirl did not meet with unanimous approval when it was released, and some customers and enthusiasts of the brand remained on the side of the Rolex Batman. The reason: the second edition's Jubilee bracelet was deemed unsuitable for a steel watch with a reputation for being rather sporty. This led to increased demand for the original Batman model, considered by many to be more faithful to the sporty, adventurous spirit of the GMT Master collection. So, in 2021, Rolex is announcing the release of the model with the improvements of the second version available on an Oyster bracelet.
The Rolex GMT “Batman” in Popular Culture
The Rolex GMT Master II Batman is much more than just a watch, it has become a symbol of status and elegance worn by the world's greatest celebrities. With its daring allure, it has conquered the catwalks and red carpets of the world, appearing on the wrists of the most famous celebrities. Among the personalities who have been seen sporting the Rolex Batman are such prestigious names as footballer David Beckham, singer John Mayer, actors Tom Holland and Ben Affleck, who plays Batman in the film *Batman VS Superman: Dawn of Justice*. The fact that such iconic figures choose to wear a Batman Rolex testifies to its universal appeal, both for its aesthetic qualities and for the status it confers.
In the world of sport, the Rolex Batman has also made an impact with major personalities, such as footballer Karim Benzema, who has been spotted wearing the model at a number of key events in his career. Tennis legend Roger Federer, Rolex brand ambassador, also sported a Rolex Batman at the Australian Open. The model has become a must-have accessory, both on the catwalk and on the red carpet. Rolex is known for its rigorous control of production, which creates a limited supply and helps keep demand high.
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Rolex's strategy is partly based on this orchestrated rarity, creating a certain buzz around each model. The production of the two-tone ceramic bezel is particularly complex, which partly explains this limitation. This technique requires great precision and advanced technical skills, making it one of the watch's most admired features, but also one of the most difficult to reproduce in large quantities. The success of the Rolex Batman has also contributed to its reputation on the second-hand market.
Indeed, the secondary market for Rolex watches is booming, and the Rolex Batman occupies a prime position. It's not uncommon to see pre owned models selling for much higher prices than new, due to scarcity and high demand. This dynamic creates a certain amount of speculation, making the Rolex
Batman not only an object of desire but also a potentially lucrative investment for which some don't hesitate to pay the price. At the time of the GMT Master II Batman's release, its retail price was around €10,000. In 2024, market prices for a Rolex GMT Batman full set watch in very good condition are between €18,000 and €20,000.
Collectors and connoisseurs know that the value of this watch is likely to increase over time, due to persistent high demand. It is ultimately sought after by collectors, as it represents a relatively saf investment in the world of luxury watchmaking. Rolex models tend to increase in price over time, and the Batman is no exception. As the saying goes, “the best time to buy a Rolex is yesterday”. This lends the Rolex Batman an aura of prestige and elitism, as owning this watch not only testifies to refined taste, but also to high social status.
The Impact of the Rolex GMT Batman in the World of Watchmaking
Beyond its commercial success, the Rolex GMT Master II Batman has had a considerable impact on the world of watchmaking. Its two-tone ceramic bezel marked a decisive turning point in the industry. Before the introduction of Cerachrom ceramics, aluminum bezels were prone to scratches and discoloration, both of which could affect the appearance of a watch after a few years' use.
The transition to ceramics not only solved these problems, but also brought a new aesthetic dimension, with vivid colors and incomparable resistance. This breakthrough has prompted many other brands to take inspiration from Rolex and experiment with more durable materials for their luxury watches. Ceramic has become a highly sought-after material in high-end watchmaking, offering not only greater longevity, but also a much more refined and modern finish.
In terms of functionality, the GMT concept remains one of the most practical and popular innovations in the world of watches. The Rolex GMT Master II Batman, with its ability to track multiple time zones, embodies this functionality at its best.
It is particularly appreciated by travelers, businessmen and pilots, who need to stay connected to different time zones on a daily basis. This model continues to set the standard for this type of complication, inspiring many competing brands to create their own versions of GMT watches.
The Rolex GMT Master II “Batman” has become an iconic watch that embodie s both Rolex's watchmaking expertise and technical innovation. Since its release in 2013, it has won over watch lovers with its bold design. It has become a must-have among Rolex watches and collectors alike.
Marked by its black and blue ceramic bezel and multi-time-zone functionality, inherited from the GMT Master of the 1950s, its color combination, often associated with the Batman character, has earned it a special status, both in the world of watchmaking and in popular culture. Over time, the “Batman” has become more than just a luxury accessory: it is perceived as a symbol of prestige and a sought-after investment by collectors. Testifying to refined taste and high social status, the Rolex “Batman” continues to shine as an essential reference in the world of luxury watches.
