What Is the Replica Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR?
The replica Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR is a copy of the 40mm steel GMT that Rolex built from 2013 to 2019 with a black and blue ceramic bezel. Collectors named it the Batman, and it was the first GMT-Master II to carry a two-color Cerachrom insert. A replica worth owning copies four things: the 40mm case shape, the blue 24-hour hand, the hour-jump GMT setting, and a bezel insert that reads black and blue in daylight.
Prices for these replicas land between $90 and $700. The gap comes from the movement, the bezel insert, and how well the case and bracelet are finished.
Genuine 116710BLNR Specs to Compare Against
Know the real numbers before you shop. Any listing that gets these wrong is a red flag.
- Case: 40mm Oystersteel, about 12.5mm thick, 100m water resistance
- Bezel: bidirectional 24-hour Cerachrom insert, black and blue, numerals filled with platinum
- Dial: black lacquer, Chromalight blue lume, date with Cyclops lens at 3
- Hands: blue 24-hour GMT hand, Mercedes hour hand
- Movement: caliber 3186, automatic, COSC certified, around 48 hours of power reserve
- Bracelet: Oyster with Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension
- Production run: 2013 to 2019, replaced by the 126710BLNR
Why Buyers Still Want the Batman Replica
The 116710BLNR sits in a sweet spot. It has the modern 40mm case, the solid-link Oyster bracelet, and the two-tone bezel, but it predates the Jubilee swap of later references. That mix gives it a sportier look than the 126710BLNR.
Demand held high after Rolex retired the reference, so the real watch trades above retail. That gap is why the replica market for this reference runs deep.
How to Judge a 116710BLNR Replica
1. The bezel insert
The insert is the first thing anyone notices. Genuine Cerachrom is a single fired ceramic disc, so the blue and black meet at a hard line with no blur and no overspray. Cheap replicas use painted metal or printed film, and the blue turns purple or the transition smears.
Run a fingernail over the numerals. Genuine inserts have platinum filled engravings that sit just below the surface. Stickers feel flat and glossy.
2. Case, crown guards, and lugs
Check the lug profile and the polished flanks. Budget builds leave sharp edges where the lugs meet the case, and the crown guards look squashed instead of wrapping the crown.
Measure the case with calipers if you can. A 40mm spec that lands at 41mm or 42mm throws off the whole proportions of the watch.
3. Dial, hands, and crystal
Genuine dials have crisp white text and a date wheel with flat-topped numerals. Replica dials often print the Rolex logo too thick, or the lume plots sit off-center. The Cyclops should magnify about 2.5x with almost no blue tint.
4. Bracelet and clasp
Solid links, tight end-link fit, and a clasp that snaps shut are baseline at the mid tier and above. Hollow links and rattling clasps mean a budget build.
5. GMT function
The genuine 3186 lets you jump the hour hand in one-hour steps while the 24-hour hand keeps running. Many replicas set the GMT hand instead and leave the hour hand fixed. Test this before you pay.
Movement Tiers in Replica GMT Watches
Three families cover most 116710BLNR replicas.
- Asia 2836 GMT: cheap and reliable, but the GMT hand is set with the crown rather than jumping the hour hand. Common under $200.
- Clone 3186: copies the genuine layout with a jumping hour hand. Found in mid and upper tier builds.
- Swiss ETA 2893-2: smooth sweep, about 42 hours of reserve, and easy to service. Pushes the price to the top of the range.
Ask the seller which one is inside. A clone 3186 comes closest to the real watch. An ETA 2893-2 is the one a watchmaker can fix without hunting for parts.
Replica Price Ranges and What Each Tier Buys
- Under $150: mineral glass, painted insert, hollow bracelet. Fine for a costume look, weak for daily wear.
- $150 to $300: sapphire crystal, ceramic insert, Asia 2836 GMT, solid links.
- $300 to $700: clone 3186 or Swiss ETA, correct hand stack, tight SEL fit, bezel colors that hold up next to the real thing.
Common Flaws to Check Before You Buy
- A bezel insert that leans purple or gray in daylight.
- A GMT hand that does not jump or does not line up with the bezel at 24.
- A Cyclops with heavy blue AR coating.
- Date font too bold or off-center in the window.
- SEL gaps where the bracelet meets the lugs.
- A case back that sits too thick and pushes the watch off the wrist.
FAQ: Replica 116710BLNR Questions
Does the replica GMT hand work like the real one?
On a clone 3186 build, yes. The hour hand jumps in one-hour steps and the 24-hour hand tracks time against the bezel. On budget A2836 builds, the GMT hand is set with the crown, so the function differs from the genuine watch.
Is the replica bezel insert made of ceramic?
Mid tier and above replicas use ceramic inserts with engraved, filled numerals. Budget models use printed metal or film, which fade and scratch.
Should I pick the 116710BLNR or the newer 126710BLNR?
The 116710BLNR gives you the 40mm case and the Oyster bracelet. The 126710BLNR adds the caliber 3285, a 70-hour reserve, and the option of a Jubilee bracelet. Pick the Batman for the classic sport look.
Can I swim with a replica GMT-Master II?
Treat water resistance as unproven unless a watchmaker pressure tests it. Gaskets on replicas vary, and a watch that leaks will rust from the inside long before you notice.
Quick Buying Checklist
- Confirm the movement in writing before you pay.
- Ask for daylight photos of the bezel transition.
- Request a video of the hour hand jumping.
- Check the return window and the warranty length.
- Budget for a service or a pressure test if you plan to wear it daily.