This is the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman. And it would be the perfect watch. Except for one thing.
After wearing this watch for almost five years, I honestly think this is the closest thing Rolex has ever made to the perfect watch. It does almost everything right. But there's one decision Rolex made that still annoys me every time I wear it.
This is the current-generation reference 126710BLNR on the Oyster bracelet. I've owned this watch for around five years now, and if you're thinking about buying one, you're in the right place. It's one of those watches that is the perfect watch. If I had a one-watch collection, this is the one.
So, today I want to talk about why I still think this is one of the best Rolexes ever made, how it's held up after years of ownership, whether it's worth the money, how I was fortunate enough to buy mine at retail, and the one thing keeping it from being the perfect Rolex.
- Reference
- 126710BLNR, the “Batman” on Oyster bracelet
- Case
- 40mm Oystersteel
- Bezel
- Blue and black Cerachrom, 24-hour scale
- Movement
- Rolex caliber 3285 with jumping local hour hand
- Clasp
- Oysterlock with Easylink 5mm extension
- Owned
- About five years, bought at retail from an Authorized Dealer
What Is the Rolex Batman?
The Batman was originally introduced back in 2013 as the first Rolex to feature a two-color ceramic bezel. Up until then, two-tone GMT bezels had always been aluminum.
The blue and black bezel instantly became one of the most recognizable modern Rolex designs. It isn't loud. It isn't flashy. It doesn't scream for attention. But every time light hits that blue portion of the bezel, you remember exactly why people love this watch.
A Bezel That Changes All Day
The colors change constantly throughout the day. Sometimes it looks almost entirely black. Other times that blue becomes incredibly vibrant in the sun.
After thousands of hours wearing this watch, I still catch myself looking down at it.
Five Years Later: How the Batman Wears
The funny thing about this watch is that every single time I put it on, it just feels right.
I own quite a few stainless steel Rolexes, from the Panda to the Starbucks, the Sprite, and more. Yet every time I buckle this Batman onto my wrist, I remember exactly why I wanted one in the first place. It's one of those watches where absolutely nothing feels out of place.
The proportions are nearly perfect. The 40mm case wears beautifully on almost any wrist. It is super thin and feels great on the wrist. It's sporty enough to wear with shorts and a t-shirt, yet refined enough to disappear under a dress shirt cuff.
Some watches excel in one environment. The Batman seems to excel in all of them. I've worn this watch traveling overseas, going to dinners, business meetings, weekend trips, and just running errands.
If I could only own one watch, this would probably be it.
The Oyster Bracelet (and the Scratches)
Mine is on the Oyster bracelet, which, if you didn't know, makes it the Batman. The one on the Jubilee is technically called the “Batgirl.”
And personally, I think that's exactly where the Batman belongs. The Oyster bracelet gives it a sportier personality. It feels more like a true tool watch. The brushed outer links keep things understated, while the polished center links remind you that you're still wearing a Rolex.
Now, let's talk about the scratches. If you've spent any time reading watch forums, you've probably heard people complain about polished center links. They're absolutely right. Mine has scratches everywhere. Hairline scratches. Desk scratches. Five years of normal wear.
And honestly, I couldn't care less. You only notice them when you're intentionally inspecting the watch under bright lighting. The second it's back on your wrist, they disappear.
To me, those scratches tell the story of a watch that's actually been worn. I didn't buy this watch to keep it inside a safe. I bought it to enjoy it. So the scratches? They aren't actually my complaint.
The One Thing Keeping the Batman From Being Perfect
If Rolex ever asked me how I'd improve this watch, I'd only change two things.
Brushed Center Links
First, I'd brush the center links. Not because polished links scratch. Like I said, that honestly doesn't bother me. I just think brushed center links would fit the personality of the Batman even better. It would lean harder into the sport-watch identity.
Easylink vs. Glidelock: The Clasp
But my much bigger complaint is the clasp.
The Batman uses Rolex's Easylink extension. And don't get me wrong, Easylink is fantastic. Being able to instantly add or remove about five millimeters throughout the day makes the watch dramatically more comfortable when your wrist swells.
But every single time I put on my Submariner, I miss Glidelock.
If you've never used it, Glidelock lets you make precise adjustments without taking the watch off. Your wrist swells? Click. It cools back down? Click. It's one of the best bracelet systems in the entire watch industry. And every time I switch back to my Batman, I wish Rolex had included it here too.
Give this watch brushed center links. Give it Glidelock. And I genuinely don't know how Rolex could build a better everyday watch.
Batman vs. Sprite: Which GMT-Master II Would I Keep?
One question I get all the time is whether I prefer my Batman or my Sprite. The answer has actually changed over time.
When I first got my Sprite, it came on the Oyster bracelet, just like this Batman. It looked fantastic. But after wearing it for a while, I kept thinking how incredible that green and black bezel would look on a Jubilee bracelet. Eventually I talked with my Authorized Dealer, ordered an authentic Rolex Jubilee bracelet separately, and swapped it over.
And honestly, I think the Sprite belongs on Jubilee. The five-link bracelet softens the watch. It gives it a little more elegance. And somehow it makes that green bezel pop even more. It completely changed the personality of the watch.
Now I get the best of both worlds. The Batman stays on Oyster. The Sprite lives on Jubilee.
I absolutely love the Sprite. The green and black bezel is unlike anything else Rolex makes. And because it's left-handed, it becomes a conversation starter almost everywhere I wear it.
But every single time I put the Batman back on, I'm reminded why it's become such an icon. The blue and black bezel simply works with everything. It's subtle enough that it doesn't demand attention, yet interesting enough that I still catch myself looking down at it throughout the day.
The Sprite feels more unique. The Batman feels more timeless.
And if Rolex told me tomorrow that I could only keep one GMT-Master II, it would still be the Batman. Not because the Sprite isn't incredible. It absolutely is. But the Batman is the watch that made me fall in love with the modern GMT-Master II. And five years later, I still think it's the best one.
Living With the Batman Day to Day
One thing I've really grown to appreciate over the years is just how versatile this watch is.
Rolex often gets criticized for making watches that all look similar. To an extent, that's true. But once you actually own them, you realize each one serves a completely different purpose.
- The Submariner feels more rugged.
- The Daytona feels more special.
- The GMT feels like the perfect middle ground.
It's sporty. It's elegant. It's practical. It's comfortable. And it has one of the most useful complications Rolex has ever made. There's almost never a wrong occasion to wear it. Because of that, I probably wear this watch more than almost anything else I own.
For a full side-by-side, read Rolex GMT-Master II vs. Submariner: why you eventually need both.
Is the Rolex Batman Worth It?
Yes, 100%.
At Today's Market Price
Now comes the difficult question. Is it worth today's market price? I think so. While it is at a premium, it is one of the few watches I'd say just get it. It's the perfect one-watch collection.
At Retail
If you can buy one at retail? Absolutely. Without hesitation. It's one of the best values in Rolex's current lineup.
The challenge, of course, is actually getting one. I was fortunate enough to buy mine from my Authorized Dealer as my very first Rolex allocation after buying my mom a bracelet there for Christmas. I'm a huge believer in buying at retail whenever possible, and that's exactly how I got this Batman. If you're patient, I think it's worth trying.
I've written up exactly how that happened in my Daytona retail journey, and the approach I'd take today in how to get a Rolex at retail.
Final Thoughts: Would I Buy the Batman Again?
Five years later, would I buy it again? Yes, for sure. This is the perfect watch. The honeymoon phase never really ended.
Every time I open my watch box, I still find myself reaching for the Batman. Every time I put it on, it still feels like the closest thing Rolex has ever made to the perfect everyday watch.
Would I change two things? Absolutely. Give me brushed center links. Give me Glidelock. And I genuinely don't know how Rolex could build a better everyday watch.
Not the flashiest. Not the most expensive. Not the hardest to get. Just the one that seems to do absolutely everything well.
If you're fortunate enough to get the call from your Authorized Dealer, I don't think you'll regret it for a second.
And if you already own a Batman, let me know in the comments on the video how long you've had yours and whether you still feel the same way after living with it. Because after five years, mine still hasn't stopped making me smile.
You can also see the reference details on our Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR shop page.
