The Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl vs Batman: all you want to know

Thinking about getting your hands on a Batman or Batgirl? Well, that’s a dilemma. What would be the best pick? Trust me, you’re not alone on this. We will tell you all you need to know about the differences between the Batgirl and Batman, and whether you should get your hands on a GMT-Master II.

Both the Batgirl and Batman feature the same dial and bezel design with its black and blue bezel. It looks a bit bold compared to the regular black bezel GMT-Master II, and that’s exactly the reason why the Batman and Batgirl are so popular amongst watch enthusiasts. The biggest difference between the Batman and Batgirl is the reference number (we’ll explain later) and the bracelet.

Kas Klerx

Chief Content

Published at: 23/07/2024

The history of the Rolex GMT-Master

Probably one of the most iconic watches ever made, was designed back in 1954. Aimed at frequent flyers and pilots, the GMT-Master from Rolex allowed them to track multiple time zones simultaneously. Pan Am Airlines even collaborated with Rolex to create this watch for their pilots. You can probably guess that these Pan Am models are highly coveted amongst collectors.

The GMT-Master’s successor came in 1982, called the GMT-Master II. Other than a slight change in the name of the model, the movement was changed so that the hour hand could be adjusted separately from the other hands. In the early 2000s, Rolex introduced their ‘Cerachrome’ bezel, providing a scratch-free bezel for a more refined look. Some enthusiasts prefer the steel or aluminum bezel on the GMT-Master, since these bezels can fade into time, while the Cerachrome bezel won’t fade at all. There are multiple bezels available on the GMT, such as the ‘Coke’, ‘Pepsi’, ‘Batman’, ‘Batgirl’, ‘Sprite’ and the latest ‘Bruce Wayne’.

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Key features on the GMT-Master

One of the nicest features on the GMT-Master is the 24-hour rotatable bezel, which allows you to see different time zones on your watch. The bezel often comes in two-tone colors, aiding in day/night distinction. You can opt for two types of bracelets on the GMT, such as the Oyster or Jubilee.

Comparing the icons: Batgirl v Batman

The Rolex GMT-Master II with the nickname ‘Batman’ debuted back in 2013. The nickname was picked due to the black and blue bezel, which resembles the Dark Knight’s colors. It quickly became really popular amongst collectors and enthusiasts. Some years later, in 2019, the ‘Batgirl’ arrived. The sleeker Jubilee-bracelet was fitted on the well-known GMT and that’s exactly the reason why you’ve got the Batman (on Oyster) and the Batgirl (on Jubilee). The difference in reference numbers is easy to explain: since Rolex introduced their Batman, at first it bears reference number 116710BLNR. The newer version, which is the 126710BLNR was introduced in 2019, available on two bracelets while the older one is only available on the Oyster-bracelet.

Economic aspects: pricing and investment

When it comes to the GMT-Master collection from Rolex, these pieces are always really popular. Some models like the 126710BLRO (Pepsi) are extremely popular and resulting in some crazy prices on the market. The GMT-Master II 116710BLNR on Oyster sells for roughly €13.000 up to €15.500, depending on the state of the watch. The newer version, which bears reference number 126710BLNR sells for €14.750 up to €17.500, depending on the year of production and the bracelet. What we can see in our data is that the Batgirl (on Jubilee) is likely to be the popular version of the two, so that could be something to keep in mind when buying a watch as an investment piece.