Rolex GMT-Master II Steel — Black Dial, Black & Blue 'Batman' Bezel | Ref. 116710BLNR

Reference 116710BLNR earned its 'Batman' nickname from collectors the moment it debuted at Baselworld 2013, introducing a black-and-blue Cerachrom bezel to the GMT-Master II for the first time. The combination was striking: the deep midnight blue of the AM/PM half against the functional authority of the black PM sector, set in Rolex's proprietary ceramic compound that resists UV fading and surface scratching virtually indefinitely. Paired with a black dial and Oyster bracelet in Oystersteel, the reference achieved the rare feat of being simultaneously novel and immediately canonical.

Beneath the case, the Calibre 3186 provided the movement specification for this reference — an in-house automatic with a GMT hand independently adjustable in one-hour increments via the crown, a bidirectional sawtooth rotor, and a Parachrom hairspring for magnetic and shock resilience. The 40 mm Oyster case provides 100 m water resistance and carries Rolex's Triplock crown system to maintain the seal. The Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp and Glidelock extension system offered up to 20 mm of length adjustment without tools.

The 116710BLNR has become one of the most discussed GMT-Master II references in the secondary market. Allocated in limited numbers relative to demand, it frequently traded above retail at authorised dealers before being replaced by the 126710BLNR with updated Calibre 3285 and Jubilee bracelet option. Collectors who obtained the 116710BLNR new are sitting on meaningful appreciation, while buyers entering the pre-owned market value its transitional status as the last two-tone ceramic bezel GMT before the most recent specification upgrade.