When Rolex launched the blue and black GMT-Master II in 2013, it was the first two-color ceramic bezel ever put on a steel Rolex. Collectors immediately named it the “Batman”. Six years later Rolex updated the watch, put it on a Jubilee bracelet, and a new nickname appeared: the “Batgirl”.
The two are easy to confuse in listings, and they are priced differently. Here is how to tell them apart and choose between them.
Why are they called Batman and Batgirl?
The blue and black bezel reminded collectors of Batman’s costume, and the name stuck within weeks of launch. When the successor arrived on the more delicate Jubilee bracelet, the community started calling it the Batgirl to tell the two apart. Neither name is used by Rolex, which calls both colors BLNR, for bleu and noir. You can read about the rest of the Rolex nickname family in our guide to Rolex nicknames explained.
How do you tell a Batman from a Batgirl?
| Batman | Batgirl | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | 116710BLNR | 126710BLNR |
| Launched | 2013 | 2019 |
| Bracelet | Oyster | Jubilee (Oyster offered from 2021) |
| Movement | Calibre 3186, about 48 h | Calibre 3285, about 70 h |
| Case | Broad “Super Case” lugs | Refined lugs, slightly slimmer look |
| Dial detail | No crown at 6 o’clock | Small Rolex crown between “Swiss” and “Made” at 6 o’clock |
The simplest tell is the bracelet: a 116710BLNR always has an Oyster bracelet from the factory. But because the 126710BLNR has also been offered on an Oyster bracelet since 2021, the reliable check is the reference number between the lugs, the movement generation, or the small coronet at six o’clock on the newer dial.
Is a 126710BLNR on an Oyster bracelet a Batman or a Batgirl?
This is where the nicknames get muddy. Many collectors call any 126710BLNR a Batgirl, while others reserve the name for the Jubilee version and call the Oyster version simply a “new Batman”. What matters when buying is the reference and bracelet, both of which a good listing states clearly.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the 116710BLNR Batman if you prefer the bolder Super Case, the sportier Oyster bracelet and a lower price. It is a modern classic, and the calibre 3186 is a proven movement. See every 116710BLNR in stock.
Choose the 126710BLNR if you want the newer calibre 3285 with longer power reserve, the more refined case, and either the dressier Jubilee or the Oyster bracelet. It usually costs more, and a later warranty date adds value. See every 126710BLNR in stock.
Both are 40 mm, water resistant to 100 meters, and share the same GMT function and bidirectional 24-hour bezel.
Why was the Batman bezel such a big deal?
Before 2013, ceramic GMT bezels were a single color. Producing one ceramic insert with two distinct colors, each sharply divided at the six and eighteen hour marks, required Rolex to develop a new manufacturing process in which part of the insert is chemically treated to change color before the final firing. The blue and black combination came first in steel, and it paved the way for the red and blue Pepsi in steel five years later. That engineering story is part of why the 116710BLNR matters to collectors.
How do they wear on the wrist?
Both are 40 mm, about 12 mm thick, with the same basic proportions, but they feel different. The 116710BLNR’s broad lugs and Oyster bracelet make it look bolder and more tool-like. The 126710BLNR’s slimmer lugs, and especially the Jubilee bracelet, make it feel dressier and more fluid, and many people find it the more comfortable of the two in hot weather. If you have a slimmer wrist, the Jubilee version often sits better.
How does the blue and black bezel compare with the Pepsi?
The Batman’s colors are darker and more understated than the red and blue Pepsi, which makes it easier to wear with everyday clothes. Functionally they are the same watch. The Pepsi typically carries the higher price in steel. If you are torn between them, our Pepsi guide covers the red and blue side, and GMT-Master II bezel colors lines up every option.
What should you check on a pre-owned Batman or Batgirl?
- The ceramic bezel. Look closely for chips on the edges, and check that the blue and black halves meet cleanly at six and eighteen hours.
- Bezel action. Twenty-four firm clicks in both directions.
- GMT function and date change. Jump the hour hand both ways; the date should change at local midnight.
- Bracelet. Jubilee bracelets show stretch more readily; check the clasp and Easylink extension.
- Box and papers. A card matching the serial, and on the 126710BLNR a warranty date, add confidence and value.
How much do they cost?
The 116710BLNR generally costs less than the 126710BLNR, reflecting its older movement and case, though condition, box and papers, and year move prices within each reference. Jubilee and Oyster versions of the 126710BLNR can trade at different prices depending on demand. Our live table below shows current asking prices, and every example we have is on our Batman GMT page.
Are the Batman and Batgirl good daily watches?
Very. The blue and black bezel goes with almost anything, the ceramic resists fading and scratching, and the GMT function is genuinely useful if you travel or work across time zones. On a Jubilee bracelet the Batgirl is a little dressier and more comfortable in warm weather; on an Oyster bracelet the Batman feels sportier and more robust. Either works for everyday wear from the office to the beach.
Will the Batman become more collectible?
The 116710BLNR has already become the reference point for modern blue and black GMTs, and complete sets in excellent condition are increasingly sought after. Early production examples, first-year warranty cards and unpolished cases draw the most attention from collectors.
Discontinued references often attract collectors over time, and the 116710BLNR’s place as the first steel two-color ceramic bezel gives it a clear story. But no one can predict prices reliably. Buy the version you most enjoy wearing, in the best condition you can afford, rather than trying to time the market.
Frequently asked questions
What does BLNR stand for?
BLNR stands for bleu and noir, French for blue and black. It is Rolex’s suffix for the blue and black bezel on the 116710BLNR and 126710BLNR.
Is the Batman discontinued?
The original 116710BLNR on an Oyster bracelet was replaced in 2019 by the 126710BLNR. Check a current Rolex catalog for the status of the newer reference, as Rolex adjusts its lineup most years.
Which is more comfortable, Jubilee or Oyster?
Many people find the Jubilee more comfortable because its smaller links flex more around the wrist. The Oyster feels more solid and sporty. Both are excellent; it is personal preference.
Can I put a Jubilee bracelet on a 116710BLNR?
The case can physically take a Jubilee-style bracelet, but it was never sold that way by Rolex. A 116710BLNR on a Jubilee is not a factory configuration and should be described as such.
