Baselworld, the biggest watch event of the year, is happening now at the Messe Basel in Basel, Switzerland. We’ve got a team on the ground there to bring you the most exciting releases. Follow our coverage here, and also be sure to check out Instagram. We’ll be posting to our feed throughout the week.

Price: ~$8,800
Availability: TBD
Case Dimensions: 40mm
Movement & Winding: Automatic Rolex in-house 3285 movement
Power Reserve: 70 hours

Quick Take: After the exciting return of the Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” in steel last year, with its iconic red and blue bezel, many foresaw another popular bezel version for Baselworld 2019. Some thought it would be the “Coke” (red and black), but Rolex has bestowed a new “Batman” (blue and black) upon the world. It’s only a color difference from last year’s Pepsi, but the new Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” Ref. 126710 BLNR is handsome and sure to be a hit.

Who It’s For: It’s a matter of taste if you are choosing between bezel colors, but the GMT Master II watches are some of the brand’s most popular. In steel, they are practical and more approachable than past models in precious metals. Watch collectors, Rolex collectors, and the general public that can afford circa-$9,000 sport watches will snap them up, and these customers now have more options.

Key Features: At 40mm wide in steel (100m water-resistant) and featuring a GMT function for a second time zone, the Rolex GMT-Master II BLNR is extremely utilitarian. Many of its notable traits apply to other Rolex watches and to Rolex in general. Rolex’s “Oystersteel” is 904L is purported to be harder than the more common 316L, for example, and the bezel is expertly done in the brand’s own Cerachrom ceramic. In other words, this is everything you want from a Rolex, with a GMT function and an undeniably cool, sporty appeal.

Inside is an incredibly robust Rolex automatic movement. The modern caliber 3285 gets 70 hours of power reserve and features a Chronergy escapement promising an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day, outdoing its chronometer certification. A notable feature of the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710 BLNR is its elegant Jubilee-style bracelet, which was featured on last year’s “Pepsi” model. The Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” Ref. 126710 BLNR has a retail price around $8,800.

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