The Dark Knight rises again.

The new 2019 Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLNR

Yes, we know Rolex just launched a GMT-Master II last year in a ‘Pepsi’ bezel and Oystersteel Jubilee bracelet. And you know who else knows? Rolex does. That’s right, the luxury Swiss marque is a master of anticipating what will send its legions of fans into a frenzy and gets it right every time.

That’s why this year, we’re seeing the brand new GMT-Master II Ref. 126719BLNR. That’s Rolex-speak for a GMT-Master II with a ‘Batman’ bezel and Oystersteel Jubilee bracelet. ‘Just’ a new bezel colour, you say? Well, the update is more than simply a subtle nuance.

Back in 2013, Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II with a ‘Batman’ bezel (above) and Oyster bracelet—the first in its stable with a bi-coloured Cerachrom bezel. This was a monumental feat, no less, for its complexity and the fact that the entire bezel was fashioned from a single piece of ceramic. The groundbreaking material (for the watch industry anyway) is not only scratchproof, it’s also resistant to corrosion or UV rays and has an incredibly vibrant hue.

Needless to say, this innovation (patented, of course) knocked it out of the park and the watch quickly became a grail for many a Rolex aficionado. But as of this year, we were informed both the 2013 GMT-Master II ‘Batman’ and the GMT-Master II with a black bezel have been discontinued.

More about Rolex's Cerchrom technology here.

Which brings us to the new GMT-Master II Ref. 126719BLNR (above). Like last year’s ‘Pepsi’ version, this model comes with the Calibre 3285, which offers a power reserve of 70 hours, a substantial upgrade from the first ‘Batman’ which came with the Calibre 3186 and a power reserve of 50 hours.

Similarly, it follows the new ‘Pepsi’ in being outfitted with a Jubilee bracelet (above). If you’re familiar with Rolex, you would know the Jubilee bracelet has mostly been paired with dressier watches like the Datejust. Now that we’ve been seeing it in the brand’s ‘Professional’ or sports models, it’s clear Rolex knows its appeal and demand in the sports luxe category, pioneered all those years ago by Gerald Genta and the Royal Oak he designed for Audemars Piguet, is here to stay. In fact, for an industry stalwart like Rolex to give its tacit affirmation, we think there might be more sports luxe models emerging from the industry over the next few years.

At S$12,430, the ‘Batman’ is exactly the same price as the ‘Pepsi’ from last year. And if it follows the overwhelming demand of the ‘Pepsi’ (which is currently out of stock in the local market), you’d need a really good friend at the retailer to hook you up with one when it rolls out later this year.

Case	40mm, Oystersteel
Dial	Black
Movement	Manufacture Calibre L3285
Bracelet	Oystersteel Jubilee with five-piece links
Functions	Centre hour, minute and seconds hands, 24-hour display, second time zone with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand, instantaneous date, stop seconds for precise time setting
Power Reserve	70 hours
Price	S$12,430