Hits and Misses on The Rolex "Batman" BLNR

[eco8gator]

Hello All

Before I start, I will say I absolutely love this watch. In my opinion it is the most versatile and beautiful steel Rolex watch of modern time... BUT, the watch is not perfect.

Hits:

• Bezel is very attractive
• Ease of use
• Easy to read dial
• Triplock crown
• Blue lume color
• Blue GMT hand

Misses:

• All sports Rolex watches should have the glide lock!!! Come on man, the fact that you have to actually to use tools to adjust the watch is crazy especially for a new Rolex. Why bother putting the triplock on if your don't bother to make the clasp more user friendly
• I personally think the watch would have been nicer it it was polished[brushed] like a Sub.
• Rolex lume is just not that impressively bright; there are other less expensive brands that glow like fire in comparison

Opinions?

[Etschell]

I think you mean brushed.

But I agree. Glidelock is fantastic.

Blnr is a great watch even if it isn't my first choice.

[traf]

Love mine. Agree about glidelock, and the brushed finish, but the lume is not something I can complain about. Works well for me all through the night

Edit: this thread is worthless without pics !!


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[WEST HAM ROLEX]

Originally Posted by traf

Love mine. Agree about glidelock, and the brushed finish, but the lume is not something I can complain about. Works well for me all through the night

Edit: this thread is worthless without pics !!


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Is it me - Must be your camera,,,looks like the blue on bezel is 14 hours and black 10 hours,,,,not half half..

Great watch,,,love it

[soorg]

Lack of Glidelock drives me nuts. Other than that, this is the closet to a perfect watch for me!

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by WEST HAM ROLEX

Is it me - Must be your camera,,,looks like the blue on bezel is 14 hours and black 10 hours,,,,not half half..

reflection and shadow.... it is half and half

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by soorg

Lack of Glidelock drives me nuts. Other than that, this is the closet to a perfect watch for me!

Rolex should put glidelock on ALL their sports watches

[BrazenC5]

One detractor for me are the (24hr) bezel numbers...they're disproportionately large.

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[116500LN]

I have an SD4K with the Glide lock and BLNR with the Easy link. I actually prefer the Easy link. It's more comfortable as it's not as long and lighter. I never have to adjust the band if it's sized properly.

One thing I dislike about the BLNR is that the GMT hand is difficult to see when the lighting is dim. The orange hand of Explorer 2 is definitely superior in legibility.

[warrior]

Exactly...the bezel numbers are a turn off for me, too loud. Eventually tiresome over the long haul.

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

One detractor for me are the (24hr) bezel numbers...they're disproportionately large.

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[JP Chestnut]

Miss - no chamfer on the fatter than needed lugs.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

I have an SD4K with the Glide lock and BLNR with the Easy link. I actually prefer the Easy link. It's more comfortable as it's not as long and lighter. I never have to adjust the band if it's sized properly.

I had the Sub C and never used the glide lock except to set it once. I also prefer the Easy Link. I also like the old folded clasps still; they're light and bullet proof.

Originally Posted by warrior

Exactly...the bezel numbers are a turn off for me, too loud. Eventually tiresome over the long haul.

I agree with this as well; much prefer the fine numbering on the old aluminum inserts.

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Miss - no chamfer on the fatter than needed lugs.

I don't care about the chamfers but too me the maxi case is way overstated.

[Mystro]

The blue lume was better than I thought it would be. It's not Panerai bright but very usable and effective. The glidelock is better than the easy link but the easy link is still very good. Nothing is as good as the glidelock so anything else will always be a step down. PCL on a every day watch would drive me crazy. I love it on my DJII but that is my dress watch and my LVc is my every day watch. However you look at it, any polished 904L steel will show hair line scratches as soon as you start to wear the watch. That includes the head of either GMT, Sub DJII,etc..

I loved the BLNR in pics but didn't on my wrist. The PCL and lack of glidelock killed it for me. I came to the conclusion I am not a GMT guy but I do love to see pics of it on the forum.

[dreaminofelsewhere]

Call me "low rent" but I really wish Rolex would increase their lume too. It would really check my nerd box if they "fixed" it.

However, I do appreciate that Rolex made their lume an attractive "blue". At least it makes me believe(or want to believe) that they don't feel it's necessary for their watch to be a torch and not that they're just skimping.


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[Marcus09]

Glidelock is indeed great but maybe to Rolex it is not the purpose of the GMT since on the sub it can be worn over a dive suit and all. Besides, the easylink is enough for me.
I actually prefer the PCL because it defines the GMT. The lume is fine.
If I wanted to find a weakness, it would be that's it's a bit bulky compared to the Daytona for example. Even the 41mm datejust looks smaller.
Cheers.


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[Muzz]

I love the glidelock, however with this model it didn't bother me too much to not have it.

There isn't too much I can complain about the model as the lume to me is adequate.

[Chadridv]

Yeah I can't really argue with any of that.

I will say while I would prefer a fully brushed bracelet, I very much like both PCLs and brushed bracelets.

[roaddog359]

Glide lock is a feature that should be on most rolex watches.

[ranxoren]

The BLNR is my 2nd favorite modern Rolex after the 116500LN.
But if it didnt have the maxi case I think it would be a very close tie!

[Uppersouth]

Pardon my GMT ignorance. Is there a useful purpose to the bi-color bezels or just ornamental? I'm not dissing the colors, I think I actually prefer them over the black. Thanks

[116500LN]

Originally Posted by Uppersouth

Pardon my GMT ignorance. Is there a useful purpose to the bi-color bezels or just ornamental? I'm not dissing the colors, I think I actually prefer them over the black. Thanks

Possibly useful. It's supposedly to help quickly differentiate between daylight and night.

[polaris72]

Originally Posted by Uppersouth

Pardon my GMT ignorance. Is there a useful purpose to the bi-color bezels or just ornamental? I'm not dissing the colors, I think I actually prefer them over the black. Thanks

Day 12 hrs (lighter color) Night 12 hrs (darker color) - black/red, black/blue, blue/red

[Duke of Dulwich]

I don't mind PCLs on the GMT as it is a professional watch and isn't designed to take the knocks and scrapes a dive watch might be subjected to. As for the glidelock, I can see why it is desireable, however I can also see why Rolex don't offer it on a GMT as it has no 'professional' purpose. It would be nice if they offered it as an option, however Rolex don't do options.

[sensui]

I do agree with you, but I personally don't use the glidelock after the bracelet is adjusted.....I don't adore PCL but I think it goes along fine with the likes of BLNR/Daytonas....it just gives that edge of class/dressy in the right occasions without overdoing it for the casual sporty wear.

[vipereaper30]

Originally Posted by Duke of Dulwich

I don't mind PCLs on the GMT as it is a professional watch and isn't designed to take the knocks and scrapes a dive watch might be subjected to. As for the glidelock, I can see why it is desireable, however I can also see why Rolex don't offer it on a GMT as it has no 'professional' purpose. It would be nice if they offered it as an option, however Rolex don't do options.

Wait a minute...did you just call the GMT a professional watch with no professional purpose?

My least favorite aspect of the BLNR is the vividness of the blue on the bezel. Other than that it has a few minor imperfections but otherwise is the best GMT on the market.

[vipereaper30]

Originally Posted by Duke of Dulwich

As for the glidelock, [...] it has no 'professional' purpose.

Nevermind, too much wine after a long day = poor reading comprehension here.

[Steve36Efc]

I'm happy with the PCLs and easy link

[mailman]

Originally Posted by 116500LN

I have an SD4K with the Glide lock and BLNR with the Easy link. I actually prefer the Easy link. It's more comfortable as it's not as long and lighter. I never have to adjust the band if it's sized properly.

One thing I dislike about the BLNR is that the GMT hand is difficult to see when the lighting is dim. The orange hand of Explorer 2 is definitely superior in legibility.

I prefer the Easylink to Glidelock also. While I can get an almost perfect fit with the latter, the Easylink clasp is more comfortable on my wrist. Once you get it set, it's great

The blue GMT hand is great looking in daylight, however you hit the nail on the head regarding low light legibility

[KarlS]

I am an owner and GMT fan of many brands. Think the local time hand is difficult to read, all Rolex seem to have poor lume and the bezel moves quite easily meaning I was actually 4 hours out at one time. Maybe it should be unidirectional

[1William]

Good points and I agree with your perspective. I like the BLNR and the only thing that has kept me from ownership is a desire for other watches. It is on my SS short list. I have several watches with the Easy Link system and it works fine. If I did not also have several watches with the Glide Lock system I would say that it is the best. But the Glide Lock is the best in my opinion. As I have gotten more into watches over the years the fit is almost as important as the looks and size. Enjoy your watch.