Considering its position as the leader of the Swiss watch industry, it’s fair for Rolex to be the centre of all attention. As such, everything The Crown does is subject to comments, opinions and discussions. Every new model, something that’s happening most of the time only once a year, will be up to strong debates. Once again, this goes together with its position as industry giant. When Rolex released earlier this year its latest version of the Swiss made Rolex GMT-Master II replica watches, the black-and-grey 126710GRNR a.k.a Bruce Wayne, commentators were quick to respond; “it’s boring, it’s uninspired, they’ve barely done anything to it, the design team called it a day” are some of the comments we’ve heard. Well, I’m here to disagree.
Context
From the earliest days of the model, which was first released in 1955, the Rolex GMT-Master sported bright colours and a two-tone bezel – at least for most of the references. With the idea of differentiating daytime from nighttime, the 24-hour rotating bezel of this CA cheap Rolex fake watches – its signature feature – has been using two different colours, with the classic blue and red combination – a.k.a Pepsi, still used today by Rolex – being the inaugural theme. It will later be followed by multiple variations, such as red-and-black, brown, blue, brown-and-gold, blue-and-black, or green-and-black. However, while Pepsi and Coke remain the most emblematic colour schemes in the minds of watch enthusiasts, a full-black bezel has been present in the collection for many years – you can find it on the 1675, the 16750, the 16700 and 16710 (all with aluminium bezel) – alongside two-tone versions.
Then, in 2005, Rolex decided it was time for an update of the perfect replica Rolex GMT-Master II watches, and the brand introduced a new generation of its traveller’s watch. First presented in yellow gold (116718LN) and then followed in 2007 by a steel version (116710LN), this brand new generation came with a beefed-up case, modernized features and mostly, a monochromatic full-black Cerachrom bezel. By the time this ceramic bezel was presented, Rolex didn’t yet manage two-tone options and the full-black model somehow became the classic edition from 2007 to 2019, when this version was discontinued.
In the meantime, Rolex launched multiple two-tone editions of the GMT-Master II, starting in 2013 with the Batman (116710BLNR), followed in 2014 by the return of the blue-and-red Pepsi (116719BLRO) in white gold, the brown-and-black Root Beer in 2018 (126715CHNR) and the steel Pepsi in 2018 (126710BLRO). In 2019, the full-black was discontinued with Rolex announcing that from now on, all high quality Rolex GMT-Master II copy watches will have to be equipped with a two-tone bezel. In 2019, the Batman will be updated (126710BLNR) and in 2022, the brand introduced a new colour scheme, green-and-black (126720VTNR).
Last year, Rolex launched yet another edition, in yellow Rolesor or yellow gold, with a discreet grey-and-black ceramic insert (126713GRNR and 126718GRNR). This classic, discreetly-bicolour bezel has now been adapted to the steel collection, with the launch earlier this year of the 126710GRNR (GRis-NoiR, or grey-black).
The return of a discreet steel model
What Rolex has done with this new Swiss movements replica Rolex GMT-Master II Bruce Wayne or 126710GRNR watches is to offer a replacement to the classic full-black edition that phased out in 2019, as well as respecting its claims concerning the bezel’s insert, which should be exclusively made of bicolour ceramic. This grey-and-black is thus the new classic, the core model, the base watch for the collection… Something that was true for the full-black 116710LN.
In short, this new GRNR is identical to the Batman/Batgirl and the Pepsi on all technical levels. It relies on the same 40mm case, with a thickness of 11.90mm and a lug-to-lug of about 48mm. It is made of Oystersteel (904L steel) with a 100m water-resistance, a sapphire crystal with AR coating and cyclops over the date, a screw-down crown and a screwed caseback. The main novelty on the exterior is the insert, which is made of two-tone Cerachrom, in grey and black, with PVD-platinum 24h scale.
The dial of the best 2024 fake Rolex GMT-Master II Bruce Wayne watches is, once again, the same as all other steel versions, with a glossy lacquered black base, applied markers and hands in 18k white gold with Chromalight display and a classic central 24-hour hand for the GMT complication. What makes this 126710GRNR special, at least compared to the rest of the collection, is the use of green on the GMT-Master II logo and the GMT arrow-shaped hand… Not a new feature, as it was used also on the lunette noire 116710LN from 2007 to 2019. Back to basics, if you will.
Mechanically, no evolutions to report, as this Bruce Wayne edition retains the modern in-house Calibre 3285 found in all other GMT-Master II models. Beating at 4Hz, with a 70h power reserve, it is equipped with all of the brand’s current technologies – Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, balance wheel with variable inertia, Paraflex shock absorbers, Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel… A fine, robust movement with superior accuracy certified by the COSC and internally by Rolex, to -2/+2 seconds/day. And, as you’d expect, it’s a true GMT watch (traveller/flyer mechanism).
Rolex offers the AAA China super clone Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR watches with the option of either a Jubilee or an Oyster steel bracelet, both closed by an Oysterlock folding safety clasp with an Easylink comfort extension link. The choice is yours, and there’s no bad option in this context. I would personally go for a Jubilee bracelet, which I’ve found more comfortable and slightly more elegant (or at least a bit less sporty).
The Rolex GMT-Master II Bruce Wayne retails for EUR 11,000 on an Oyster bracelet and EUR 11,200 on a Jubilee bracelet.
Our take on the GMT-Master II Bruce Wayne
We’ve read on multiple occasions that this new Rolex 126710GRNR was uninspired or boring, that the design team simply took the grey-black bezel of last year’s Rolesor model, adapted it to a steel watch and called it a day – well, in reality, it’s one way to look at things. But it is boring? Short answer, no. But let me dig into this topic a bit further. For the past 5 years, we’ve only seen steel 1:1 wholesale Rolex GMT-Master II replica watches with bright, colourful two-tone bezels – whether it was a Pepsi, a Batman or a Sprite. With Rolex having been at the centre of attention during the COVID period, with its watches shared all around social media, we’ve come to expect to see these watches in such colour themes… 5 years of only two-tone models, which in our modern society is an eternity. Long enough for watch enthusiasts to be accustomed to the fact that a GMT-Master II should be bright and quite loud.
However, times are changing. The state of the watch industry in 2024 isn’t anymore what it was in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The market is back to more realistic second-hand prices, shorter waiting lists and larger inventories. Different times call for different measures. And with this in mind, I’d go as far as saying that the launch of this discreet, classic, more timeless edition of the GMT-Master II with a grey-black bezel was spot on. Great timing, as we know quite well that when the market is slow, potential buyers will turn their attention to Rolex fake watches for men that will last, to watches that won’t get out of fashion too soon. The design team calling it a day…? Well, to me it sounds like the marketing team got a great idea.
Now, let’s refocus our talk on us, the MONOCHROME team, and what we think about this new Bruce Wayne Rolex GMT. The result of a discussion between Frank and myself was a definitive, irrevocable and final opinion. Without appeal, this new grey-black version is the best steel GMT-Master II currently available. Period.
Why do we think this way…? While I can fully see the appeal of a GMT Pepsi, for it to be an emblematic colour of the Rolex GMT, it’s also rather loud and immediately recognizable (and if you read the news, it might not be the best when taking a walk in certain cities). The Bruce Wayne version is the essence of low-key. It’s discreet, quiet and while still immediately recognizable as Swiss made copy Rolex GMT-Master II watches, it doesn’t attract the same attention. Also, this almost monochromatic speaks to us (there’s a reason behind the name of this magazine…)
With a slower market, it’s always important to refocus on the essential, on best quality Rolex replica watches with a more timeless appeal. We have to keep in mind that most watch enthusiasts will have to work hard, for months or years, to finally be able to acquire such a watch. This will represent a grail for them and as such, this watch will have to be enduring and ageless. Most of them will buy this watch with the intention of wearing it, not keeping it in a safe until the price goes up. A watch that you buy in this mood has to pass the test of time, and the Bruce Wayne model is the option to go for, at least in our books.
You’re calling the Swiss perfect replica Rolex GMT-Master II Bruce Wayne 126710GRNR watches boring… Let me call it the great classic that was missing in the collection.