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The 5-digit ceramic era is the chapter that pulled the GMT-Master II out of its aluminum-bezel past and into the catalogue Rolex still builds against. It opens in 2005 with the solid yellow-gold [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]] at the fiftieth anniversary of the GMT-Master line, closes in 2019 with the simultaneous retirement of the steel [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]], the steel [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]] Batman, and the yellow-gold [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]] at Baselworld, and runs roughly fourteen years across five references. Each reference is a Cerachrom chapter. Together they rewrite what a bezel on a Rolex sports watch is supposed to do.
The 5-digit ceramic era is the bridge between the aluminum 16710 world and the current ceramic GMT-Master II line. It runs from 2005 to 2019 across five references: [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]], [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]], [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]], [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]], and [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]].


The defining technical achievement sits in the middle of the run. In 2013 Rolex shipped the first two-colour ceramic insert on the Batman. In 2014 it shipped the red-and-blue version on the white-gold [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]]. Firing two colours in a single ceramic ring — without muddy joins at the boundary, and without cracking the disk during the sintering cycle — was the patented process that made the rest of the modern GMT-Master II catalogue possible.
The key story is simple. Rolex brought Cerachrom to the GMT in yellow gold first, then Rolesor, then steel. In 2013 the Batman introduced the first two-colour ceramic insert, and in 2014 the white-gold Pepsi extended the process to red and blue.


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=== Cerachrom chronology ===
=== Cerachrom chronology ===


The rollout order reverses the usual sports-reference pattern of steel-first, precious-metal-later. Rolex launched Cerachrom on the GMT-Master II at Baselworld 2005 in solid yellow gold on the [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]], tied to the line’s fiftieth anniversary. The Rolesor [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]] followed in 2006. Steel did not arrive until 2007 with the [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]]. For the first two years of the ceramic era, the only way to buy a Cerachrom GMT-Master II from Rolex was in precious metal.
The rollout order flips the usual pattern. Rolex launched Cerachrom on the GMT in solid yellow gold first, then Rolesor, then steel. For the first two years of the ceramic era, the only way to buy a Cerachrom GMT-Master II was in precious metal.


Bob’s anniversary feature and Monochrome’s retrospective both anchor that ordering. The sequence matters because it assigns the 116718LN the role the steel reference normally plays: the development vehicle for the newest bezel and dial technology in the line. The steel 116710LN inherited a proven insert rather than introducing one.
Monochrome's retrospective anchors that ordering. The sequence matters because it assigns the 116718LN the role the steel reference normally plays: the development vehicle for the newest bezel and dial technology in the line. The steel 116710LN inherited a proven insert rather than introducing one.


Two-tone ceramic arrived next, in two steps. The blue-and-black Batman [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]] at Baselworld 2013, then the red-and-blue ceramic Pepsi [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]] at Baselworld 2014. Each release extended the process to a new colour combination, each in the same 40mm Super Case architecture that had carried the single-colour Cerachrom references since 2005.
Two-tone ceramic arrived next, in two steps. The blue-and-black Batman [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]] at Baselworld 2013, then the red-and-blue ceramic Pepsi [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]] at Baselworld 2014. Each release extended the process to a new colour combination, each in the same 40mm Super Case architecture that had carried the single-colour Cerachrom references since 2005.
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=== The two-colour ceramic patent story ===
=== The two-colour ceramic patent story ===


The real technical story of the 5-digit ceramic family is the two-colour insert. Single-colour Cerachrom was in production before 2013, first on the Yacht-Master II from 2005 and then across the GMT line. Two colours in a single sintered ceramic disk was a different problem. Different oxide chemistries produce different colours, and those chemistries behave differently under kiln heat. Firing them together risks cracking the disk at the colour boundary, muddy joins where the two colours meet, and colour drift across the face of the insert.
The real technical break is the two-colour insert. The 2013 Batman proved Rolex could produce blue and black on a single Cerachrom ring. The 2014 white-gold Pepsi proved the same process could handle red and blue. That manufacturing step is what made the later ceramic GMT catalogue possible.
 
The Batman’s 2013 blue-and-black insert is the first reference that solved the problem in production. The 1916 Company describes the process as a chemical treatment on a single Cerachrom ring rather than two separately fired pieces joined together. The two colours are produced on one ring through a two-stage firing process that turns different metallic-oxide states into different visible hues. Rolex patented the method. The 2014 red-and-blue Pepsi on the [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]] required the same process on harder pigments — red Cerachrom uses a different kiln chemistry from blue, and the boundary case for red-blue is geometrically different from blue-black.
 
Monochrome, Fratello, and Revolution all frame the two-colour process as the defining technical achievement of the ceramic era. The Pepsi sat exclusively on white gold for four years precisely because the steel case cost structure could not absorb the insert cost until production scaled. The steel ceramic Pepsi did not arrive until 2018, on the 6-digit [[Reference:126710BLRO|126710BLRO]], by which point the process was mature enough to run at steel-reference volume.


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=== Caliber 3185 into 3186 ===
=== Caliber 3185 into 3186 ===


The movement story across the family is simpler than the bezel story. Caliber 3186 powered the launch 116718LN at Baselworld 2005 and became the standard GMT-Master II movement for the entire 5-digit ceramic era. Bob’s 3186 vs 3285 piece places the 3186 debut on the 116718LN specifically, which makes the yellow-gold reference the first Rolex to carry the movement. The 3186 carried a blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock protection, and a revised GMT wheel that cleaned up the independent-hour-hand mechanism from the earlier 3185.
The movement story across the family is simpler than the bezel story. Caliber 3186 launched in the 116718LN at Baselworld 2005 and is the movement of record across the ceramic 5-digit family. It brought the blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock protection, and a cleaner independent-hour-hand mechanism than the earlier 3185.


Caliber 3185 remained in service on the late-run aluminum-bezel [[Reference:16710|16710]] through to the end of that reference’s production. On the 5-digit ceramic references, caliber 3186 is the movement of record across every documented example in the current corpus. No caliber 3185-equipped 116718LN, 116713LN, 116710LN, 116710BLNR, or 116719BLRO has entered the source layer. A 3185 transitional branch, if one exists, needs direct book sourcing before it enters the article.
The late aluminum-bezel [[Reference:16710|16710]] still used 3185, but no documented ceramic 5-digit example has surfaced with it. If a true 3185 transitional ceramic watch exists, it needs stronger direct evidence before it is treated as settled.


Power reserve figures across dealer and auction sources run between 48 and 50 hours. The spread reflects conservative spec against observed run-down, not two different movements. The 3186 is what collectors mean when they say the Batman and the all-black ceramic GMT share hearts. They do.
Power reserve is 48 hours.


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The 5-digit ceramic era splits cleanly by dial-and-bezel identity rather than by mechanical variation.
The 5-digit ceramic era splits cleanly by dial-and-bezel identity rather than by mechanical variation.


* '''Black bezel, steel:''' [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]]. One dial configuration — glossy black with a green “GMT-Master II” signature line and a green 24-hour hand. Two documented institutional-commission dials (Sotheby’s Khanjar circa 2010, Bonhams Sea King 2014) sit outside standard production.
* '''Black bezel, steel:''' [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]]. One dial configuration — glossy black with a green "GMT-Master II" signature line and a green 24-hour hand. Two documented institutional-commission dials (Sotheby's Khanjar circa 2010, Bonhams Sea King 2014) sit outside standard production.
* '''Blue-black bezel, steel:''' [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]]. One dial configuration — the 116710LN dial minus the green signature line, with a blue 24-hour hand. The Batman is a bezel variant of the 116710LN rather than a separate case platform.
* '''Blue-black bezel, steel:''' [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]]. One dial configuration — the 116710LN dial minus the green signature line, with a blue 24-hour hand. The Batman is a bezel variant of the 116710LN rather than a separate case platform.
* '''Red-blue bezel, white gold:''' [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]]. Two dial configurations by production window — black lacquer -0001 (2014-2018), matte blue -0002 (2018-2019). Same case, same bezel, same movement across both.
* '''Red-blue bezel, white gold:''' [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]]. Two dial configurations by production window — black lacquer -0001 (2014-2018), matte blue -0002 (2018-2019). Same case, same bezel, same movement across both.
* '''Black bezel, yellow gold Rolesor:''' [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]]. Single gloss-black dial configuration. Narrowest branch in the family — no sub-variants.
* '''Black bezel, yellow gold Rolesor:''' [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]]. Single gloss-black dial configuration. Narrowest branch in the family — no sub-variants.
* '''Black bezel, solid yellow gold:''' [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]]. Two parallel dial configurations across the run — standard black and green anniversary. Sotheby’s tracks the green as the collector variant and Bob’s tracks the black as the steadier seller.
* '''Black bezel, solid yellow gold:''' [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]]. Two parallel dial configurations across the run — standard black and green anniversary. Sotheby's tracks the green as the collector variant; the black is the steadier seller.


The Rootbeer colour scheme is absent from the 5-digit ceramic era. The brown-and-gold dial-and-bezel pairing that ran through the 1970s 1675/3, [[Reference:16753|16753]], and [[Reference:16758|16758]] did not survive into Cerachrom. Rolex did not bring Rootbeer back to the GMT-Master II until the 6-digit [[Reference:126711CHNR|126711CHNR]] and [[Reference:126715CHNR|126715CHNR]] in 2018, by which point the gold side had shifted from yellow to Everose.
The Rootbeer colour scheme is absent from the 5-digit ceramic era. The brown-and-gold dial-and-bezel pairing that ran through the 1970s 1675/3, [[Reference:16753|16753]], and [[Reference:16758|16758]] did not survive into Cerachrom. Rolex did not bring Rootbeer back to the GMT-Master II until the 6-digit [[Reference:126711CHNR|126711CHNR]] and [[Reference:126715CHNR|126715CHNR]] in 2018, by which point the gold side had shifted from yellow to Everose.
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The 5-digit ceramic era moved from current production to discontinued between 2019 and roughly 2024. That transition has rearranged the market.
The 5-digit ceramic era moved from current production to discontinued between 2019 and roughly 2024. That transition has rearranged the market.


The Batman [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]] is the centre of the post-discontinuation story. 41Watch tracks EUR prices running from around EUR 8,500 at the start of the discontinuation signal into the EUR 16,000 range shortly after, and Phillips offered a new-old-stock stickered example from the Guido Mondani Collection at the Geneva Watch Auction XIX in May 2024 — five years after production stopped. The reference now functions in grey-market discussion as the reference against which “recently-discontinued Rolex appreciates faster than expected” gets measured.
The Batman [[Reference:116710BLNR|116710BLNR]] is the center of the post-discontinuation story. Prices climbed hard after 2019, and the watch now functions as the main modern example of how quickly a recently discontinued Rolex can reprice once supply closes.


The Pepsi [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]] carries the same pattern in white gold. Sotheby’s has moved multiple examples through Fine Watches and Important Watches sales from 2023 through 2025, with a circa-2014 -0001 selling for EUR 35,560 at Fine Watches 2023. Watchfinder’s period retail figure of GBP 25,600 puts the post-discontinuation auction result comfortably above launch.
The Pepsi [[Reference:116719BLRO|116719BLRO]] carries the same pattern in white gold. Sotheby's has moved multiple examples through Fine Watches and Important Watches sales from 2023 through 2025, with a circa-2014 -0001 selling for EUR 35,560 at Fine Watches 2023. Period retail was about GBP 25,600, which puts the post-discontinuation auction result comfortably above launch.


The all-black [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]] is quieter. Xupes calls it the “forgotten reference.” WatchCharts tracks a secondary-market pattern distinct from both the Batman and the aluminum-bezel [[Reference:16710|16710]], which puts the watch in its own price tier: above the neo-vintage aluminum Pepsi, below the two-colour Cerachrom siblings. Fratello’s 2021 comparison against the 126710GRNR anchors the 116710LN’s market identity on the “last all-black-bezel steel GMT-Master II” positioning.
The all-black [[Reference:116710LN|116710LN]] is quieter. The secondary market tracks a pattern distinct from both the Batman and the aluminum-bezel [[Reference:16710|16710]], which puts the watch in its own price tier: above the neo-vintage aluminum Pepsi, below the two-colour Cerachrom siblings. Fratello's 2021 comparison against the 126710GRNR anchors the 116710LN's market identity on the "last all-black-bezel steel GMT-Master II" positioning.


The [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]] is the narrowest branch by auction footprint. Sotheby’s has catalogued a 2014 direct-sale listing and Bonhams offered a 2017 example in its Fine Watches sale, but the reference trades mostly through dealers. WatchCharts reads the 116713LN as a discontinued fixed-supply reference with a defined secondary-market band, distinct from the steel ceramic siblings.
The [[Reference:116713LN|116713LN]] is the narrowest branch by auction footprint. Sotheby's has catalogued a 2014 direct-sale listing and Bonhams offered a 2017 example in its Fine Watches sale, but the reference trades mostly through the secondary market. The 116713LN reads as a discontinued fixed-supply reference with a defined pricing band, distinct from the steel ceramic siblings.


The [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]] auction market is dominated by the green anniversary dial. Sotheby’s has offered the variant at Important Watches 2019 and again at Fine Watches 2024, five years after discontinuation. Christie’s has catalogued a black-dial example. The 1916 Company operates an RCPO channel for post-discontinuation green-dial examples. WatchCharts indexes the green dial separately, under 116718LN-0002.
The [[Reference:116718LN|116718LN]] auction market is dominated by the green anniversary dial. Sotheby's has offered the variant at Important Watches 2019 and again at Fine Watches 2024, five years after discontinuation. Christie's has catalogued a black-dial example. Post-discontinuation green-dial examples trade through certified pre-owned channels, and secondary-market indexing tracks the green dial separately under 116718LN-0002.


The market split between 5-digit ceramic and earlier neo-vintage 16710 is the structural collecting fact of the family. Aluminum-bezel 16710 Pepsi and Coke examples sit in the vintage-leaning tier. The 5-digit ceramic references sit in a post-discontinuation tier defined by waitlist memory rather than by vintage patina. The Batman and the white-gold Pepsi are the reference points inside that tier.
The market split between 5-digit ceramic and earlier neo-vintage 16710 is the structural collecting fact of the family. Aluminum-bezel 16710 Pepsi and Coke examples sit in the vintage-leaning tier. The 5-digit ceramic references sit in a post-discontinuation tier defined by waitlist memory rather than by vintage patina. The Batman and the white-gold Pepsi are the reference points inside that tier.


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-gmt-master-and-gmt-master-ii-1955-2024-iconic-traveller-watch-in-depth-review/ In-Depth: The History of the Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II] — unknown, Monochrome
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/history-rolex-gmt-master-and-gmt-master-ii-1955-2024-iconic-traveller-watch-in-depth-review/ In-Depth: The History of the Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II] — Monochrome
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/an-early-retrospective-rolex-gmt-master-ii-lunette-noire-ceramic/ An Early Retrospective: Rolex GMT-Master II Lunette Noire Ceramic] — unknown, Monochrome Watches
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/an-early-retrospective-rolex-gmt-master-ii-lunette-noire-ceramic/ An Early Retrospective: Rolex GMT-Master II Lunette Noire Ceramic] — Monochrome Watches
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/an-early-retrospective-rolex-gmt-master-ii-lunette-noire-ceramic/ An Early Retrospective – Rolex GMT-Master II Lunette Noire Ceramic] — Evan Yeung, Monochrome Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/fasten-your-seatbelts-rolex-gmt-master-history/ Fasten Your Seatbelts: Rolex GMT-Master History and Overview of All Major References] — Fratello editorial, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/fasten-your-seatbelts-rolex-gmt-master-history/ Fasten Your Seatbelts: Rolex GMT-Master History and Overview of All Major References] — Fratello editorial, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/ceramic-bezel-close-up-of-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-ref-116710ln/ Ceramic Bezel close-up of the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN] — unknown, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/ceramic-bezel-close-up-of-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-ref-116710ln/ Ceramic Bezel close-up of the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN] — Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/sunday-morning-showdown-rolex-gmt-master-ii-126710grnr-vs-116710ln/ Sunday Morning Showdown: Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Vs. 116710LN] — unknown, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/sunday-morning-showdown-rolex-gmt-master-ii-126710grnr-vs-116710ln/ Sunday Morning Showdown: Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Vs. 116710LN] — Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/baselworld-2013-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116710blnr/ Baselworld 2013 - Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR Live Pictures And Official Price] — unknown, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/baselworld-2013-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116710blnr/ Baselworld 2013 - Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR Live Pictures And Official Price] — Fratello Watches
* [https://watchesbysjx.com/2013/04/baselworld-2013-rolex-gmt-master-ii-with-blue-and-black-ceramic-bezel-ref-116710blnr-with-specs-and-price.html Baselworld 2013: Rolex GMT-Master II with blue and black ceramic bezel ref. 116710BLNR] — SJX, SJX Watches
* [https://watchesbysjx.com/2013/04/baselworld-2013-rolex-gmt-master-ii-with-blue-and-black-ceramic-bezel-ref-116710blnr-with-specs-and-price.html Baselworld 2013: Rolex GMT-Master II with blue and black ceramic bezel ref. 116710BLNR] — SJX, SJX Watches
* [https://timeandtidewatches.com/editors-pick-does-the-rolex-batman-still-hold-its-own-now-that-theres-a-new-red-and-blue-hero-on-the-block/ IN-DEPTH: The Rolex GMT Master II BLNR review] — Bruce Duguay, Time+Tide Watches
* [https://timeandtidewatches.com/editors-pick-does-the-rolex-batman-still-hold-its-own-now-that-theres-a-new-red-and-blue-hero-on-the-block/ IN-DEPTH: The Rolex GMT Master II BLNR review] — Bruce Duguay, Time+Tide Watches
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* [https://www.41watch.com/en/journal/buyers-guides/review-gmt-master2-batman Technical review of Rolex GMT Master II BLNR Batman] — Clément C., 41Watch
* [https://www.41watch.com/en/journal/buyers-guides/review-gmt-master2-batman Technical review of Rolex GMT Master II BLNR Batman] — Clément C., 41Watch
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/editorial/history-of-rolex-batman.html The History of The Rolex Batman GMT-Master II] — Paul Altieri, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/editorial/history-of-rolex-batman.html The History of The Rolex Batman GMT-Master II] — Paul Altieri, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/rolexs-ultra-cool-pilot-watch-gmt-master-ii-116710ln.html Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN Ultimate Buying Guide] — unknown, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/rolexs-ultra-cool-pilot-watch-gmt-master-ii-116710ln.html Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN Ultimate Buying Guide] — Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/travel-the-skies-with-the-gmt-master-ii-anniversary.html Travel the Skies with the GMT-Master II 116718 Anniversary] — unknown, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/travel-the-skies-with-the-gmt-master-ii-anniversary.html Travel the Skies with the GMT-Master II 116718 Anniversary] — Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/rolex-caliber-3186-vs-rolex-caliber-3285.html Rolex Caliber 3186 vs. Caliber 3285] — unknown, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/rolex-caliber-3186-vs-rolex-caliber-3285.html Rolex Caliber 3186 vs. Caliber 3285] — Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713-two-tone-oyster.html Buy Used Rolex GMT-Master II 116713] — unknown, Bob's Watches
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713-two-tone-oyster.html Buy Used Rolex GMT-Master II 116713] — Bob's Watches
* [http://luxurytyme.com/en/rolex-reviews/review-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713-ln-116710-ln/ Review: The Rolex GMT Master II 116713 LN & 116710 LN] — unknown, Luxury Tyme
* [http://luxurytyme.com/en/rolex-reviews/review-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713-ln-116710-ln/ Review: The Rolex GMT Master II 116713 LN & 116710 LN] — Luxury Tyme
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/introducing-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-ref-116719blro-pepsi/ Introducing - The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116719BLRO Pepsi] — unknown, Monochrome Watches
* [https://monochrome-watches.com/introducing-the-rolex-gmt-master-ii-ref-116719blro-pepsi/ Introducing - The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116719BLRO Pepsi] — Monochrome Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-gmt-master-ii-reference-116719blro/ Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 116719BLRO] — unknown, Fratello Watches
* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/rolex-gmt-master-ii-reference-116719blro/ Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 116719BLRO] — Fratello Watches
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-rolex-gmt-pepsi-the-key-references The Rolex Pepsi: The Key References] — unknown, Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-rolex-gmt-pepsi-the-key-references The Rolex Pepsi: The Key References] — Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-n10082/lot.113.html ROLEX Ref 116718LN GMT-Master II Anniversary Green yellow gold wristwatch circa 2005] — unknown, Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2019/important-watches-n10082/lot.113.html ROLEX Ref 116718LN GMT-Master II Anniversary Green yellow gold wristwatch circa 2005] — Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/fine-watches-8/gmt-master-ii-pepsi-reference-116719blro-montre GMT-Master II 'Pepsi', 116719BLRO, circa 2014] — Sotheby's
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/fine-watches-8/gmt-master-ii-pepsi-reference-116719blro-montre GMT-Master II 'Pepsi', 116719BLRO, circa 2014] — Sotheby's
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080224/172 Rolex 116710BLNR GMT-Master II Batman — Geneva Watch Auction XIX lot 172] — Phillips
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080224/172 Rolex 116710BLNR GMT-Master II Batman — Geneva Watch Auction XIX lot 172] — Phillips
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/53-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116710/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116710 Price Overview] — unknown, WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/53-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116710/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116710 Price Overview] — WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/739-rolex-gmt-master-ii-batman-116710blnr/overview Rolex GMT-Master II Batman 116710BLNR Price Overview] — unknown, WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/739-rolex-gmt-master-ii-batman-116710blnr/overview Rolex GMT-Master II Batman 116710BLNR Price Overview] — WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_variation/83-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116719blro-0001/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116719BLRO-0001 market overview] — unknown, WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_variation/83-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116719blro-0001/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116719BLRO-0001 market overview] — WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/860-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713ln/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116713LN Price Overview] — unknown, WatchCharts
* [https://watchcharts.com/watch_model/860-rolex-gmt-master-ii-116713ln/overview Rolex GMT-Master II 116713LN Price Overview] — WatchCharts
* [https://revolutionwatch.com/masterstroke-the-gmt-master-part-ii/ Master Stroke — The Rolex GMT-Master: Part II] — Ross Povey, Revolution
* [https://revolutionwatch.com/masterstroke-the-gmt-master-part-ii/ Master Stroke — The Rolex GMT-Master: Part II] — Ross Povey, Revolution


[[Category:GMT-Master]]
[[Category:GMT-Master]]
[[Category:Working Draft]]
[[Category:Working Draft]]

Latest revision as of 20:46, 29 April 2026


The 5-digit ceramic era is the bridge between the aluminum 16710 world and the current ceramic GMT-Master II line. It runs from 2005 to 2019 across five references: 116718LN, 116713LN, 116710LN, 116710BLNR, and 116719BLRO.

The key story is simple. Rolex brought Cerachrom to the GMT in yellow gold first, then Rolesor, then steel. In 2013 the Batman introduced the first two-colour ceramic insert, and in 2014 the white-gold Pepsi extended the process to red and blue.

Core map

  • 116718LN (2005-2019): first Cerachrom GMT-Master II; solid 18k yellow gold, black bezel
  • 116713LN (2006-2019): two-tone Rolesor yellow-gold GMT; first ceramic GMT-Master II to reach steel-in-case form
  • 116710LN (2007-2019): first steel GMT-Master II with a ceramic bezel; all-black Cerachrom
  • 116710BLNR (2013-2019): first two-colour Cerachrom reference; blue-and-black Batman
  • 116719BLRO (2014-2019): first ceramic Pepsi; white-gold only

LN parses as lunette noire, black bezel. BLNR parses as bleu-noir. BLRO parses as bleu-rouge. The case across the family is the Super Case generation Rolex rolled out from the mid-2000s, wider at the lugs and heavier at the crown guards than the 16710 it replaced.

Where the family changes

Cerachrom chronology

The rollout order flips the usual pattern. Rolex launched Cerachrom on the GMT in solid yellow gold first, then Rolesor, then steel. For the first two years of the ceramic era, the only way to buy a Cerachrom GMT-Master II was in precious metal.

Monochrome's retrospective anchors that ordering. The sequence matters because it assigns the 116718LN the role the steel reference normally plays: the development vehicle for the newest bezel and dial technology in the line. The steel 116710LN inherited a proven insert rather than introducing one.

Two-tone ceramic arrived next, in two steps. The blue-and-black Batman 116710BLNR at Baselworld 2013, then the red-and-blue ceramic Pepsi 116719BLRO at Baselworld 2014. Each release extended the process to a new colour combination, each in the same 40mm Super Case architecture that had carried the single-colour Cerachrom references since 2005.

The two-colour ceramic patent story

The real technical break is the two-colour insert. The 2013 Batman proved Rolex could produce blue and black on a single Cerachrom ring. The 2014 white-gold Pepsi proved the same process could handle red and blue. That manufacturing step is what made the later ceramic GMT catalogue possible.

Caliber 3185 into 3186

The movement story across the family is simpler than the bezel story. Caliber 3186 launched in the 116718LN at Baselworld 2005 and is the movement of record across the ceramic 5-digit family. It brought the blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock protection, and a cleaner independent-hour-hand mechanism than the earlier 3185.

The late aluminum-bezel 16710 still used 3185, but no documented ceramic 5-digit example has surfaced with it. If a true 3185 transitional ceramic watch exists, it needs stronger direct evidence before it is treated as settled.

Power reserve is 48 hours.

Branch map

The 5-digit ceramic era splits cleanly by dial-and-bezel identity rather than by mechanical variation.

  • Black bezel, steel: 116710LN. One dial configuration — glossy black with a green "GMT-Master II" signature line and a green 24-hour hand. Two documented institutional-commission dials (Sotheby's Khanjar circa 2010, Bonhams Sea King 2014) sit outside standard production.
  • Blue-black bezel, steel: 116710BLNR. One dial configuration — the 116710LN dial minus the green signature line, with a blue 24-hour hand. The Batman is a bezel variant of the 116710LN rather than a separate case platform.
  • Red-blue bezel, white gold: 116719BLRO. Two dial configurations by production window — black lacquer -0001 (2014-2018), matte blue -0002 (2018-2019). Same case, same bezel, same movement across both.
  • Black bezel, yellow gold Rolesor: 116713LN. Single gloss-black dial configuration. Narrowest branch in the family — no sub-variants.
  • Black bezel, solid yellow gold: 116718LN. Two parallel dial configurations across the run — standard black and green anniversary. Sotheby's tracks the green as the collector variant; the black is the steadier seller.

The Rootbeer colour scheme is absent from the 5-digit ceramic era. The brown-and-gold dial-and-bezel pairing that ran through the 1970s 1675/3, 16753, and 16758 did not survive into Cerachrom. Rolex did not bring Rootbeer back to the GMT-Master II until the 6-digit 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR in 2018, by which point the gold side had shifted from yellow to Everose.

Collecting context

The 5-digit ceramic era moved from current production to discontinued between 2019 and roughly 2024. That transition has rearranged the market.

The Batman 116710BLNR is the center of the post-discontinuation story. Prices climbed hard after 2019, and the watch now functions as the main modern example of how quickly a recently discontinued Rolex can reprice once supply closes.

The Pepsi 116719BLRO carries the same pattern in white gold. Sotheby's has moved multiple examples through Fine Watches and Important Watches sales from 2023 through 2025, with a circa-2014 -0001 selling for EUR 35,560 at Fine Watches 2023. Period retail was about GBP 25,600, which puts the post-discontinuation auction result comfortably above launch.

The all-black 116710LN is quieter. The secondary market tracks a pattern distinct from both the Batman and the aluminum-bezel 16710, which puts the watch in its own price tier: above the neo-vintage aluminum Pepsi, below the two-colour Cerachrom siblings. Fratello's 2021 comparison against the 126710GRNR anchors the 116710LN's market identity on the "last all-black-bezel steel GMT-Master II" positioning.

The 116713LN is the narrowest branch by auction footprint. Sotheby's has catalogued a 2014 direct-sale listing and Bonhams offered a 2017 example in its Fine Watches sale, but the reference trades mostly through the secondary market. The 116713LN reads as a discontinued fixed-supply reference with a defined pricing band, distinct from the steel ceramic siblings.

The 116718LN auction market is dominated by the green anniversary dial. Sotheby's has offered the variant at Important Watches 2019 and again at Fine Watches 2024, five years after discontinuation. Christie's has catalogued a black-dial example. Post-discontinuation green-dial examples trade through certified pre-owned channels, and secondary-market indexing tracks the green dial separately under 116718LN-0002.

The market split between 5-digit ceramic and earlier neo-vintage 16710 is the structural collecting fact of the family. Aluminum-bezel 16710 Pepsi and Coke examples sit in the vintage-leaning tier. The 5-digit ceramic references sit in a post-discontinuation tier defined by waitlist memory rather than by vintage patina. The Batman and the white-gold Pepsi are the reference points inside that tier.

Sources

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