Royal King Philippe spotted wearing a Rolex

King Philippe of Belgium was recently spotted wearing the now-discontinued Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR, the steel sports watch that collectors worldwide have nicknamed the 'Batman' for its distinctive two-tone blue and black ceramic bezel. The sighting, shared via the Belgian Royal Palace's social channels, offers a rare glimpse into the personal watch collection of one of Europe's more low-key monarchs.

Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II 116710BLNR in 2013 at Baselworld, marking the first time the manufacture had produced a two-color Cerachrom bezel in blue and black. The watch runs on the calibre 3186 movement — a COSC-certified automatic with a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, offering approximately 50 hours of power reserve and a GMT complication that allows the wearer to track a second time zone independently of the local hour hand. The case measures 40mm in Oystersteel, fitted on an Oyster bracelet with the Glidelock extension system.

The 116710BLNR was produced for six years before Rolex quietly retired it in 2019, introducing the reference 126710BLNR — superficially similar but upgraded with the calibre 3285 movement, a jubilee bracelet option, and a slightly updated case profile. That retirement instantly elevated the original 'Batman' to discontinuation-premium territory. Collectors prize the 116710BLNR for its cleaner lug design and the calibre 3186, which some enthusiasts argue has a more characterful feel than its successor.

King Philippe, who ascended to the Belgian throne in 2013, has never been associated with the flamboyant horological choices of some of his royal peers. A GMT-Master II in steel — functional, travel-oriented, globally recognizable but not showy — fits a head of state who maintains a deliberately grounded public image. The 'Batman' bezel reads as personality without excess.

On the secondary market, the Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR consistently trades well above its last official retail price of approximately $9,050 USD. Grey-market prices currently sit in the $16,000 to $18,000 range depending on condition, box, and papers — a premium that shows no meaningful signs of softening as supply tightens and the reference recedes further into collector history.