While every one waits with bated breath what is Rolex going to announce at this year's Basel Fair, let's take a look at the 2014 released Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic BLNR.
With the help of a good friend, I got this piece for my dad's birthday last year.
Compared with the old GMT Master II Ceramic LN, only 3 differences can be found here in the BLNR.
1. The Bezel is now bi-colour. Top half black for "night", bottom half blue for "day"
2. "GMT Master II" font on the dial is printed in white instead of green.
3. The 24 hour GMT hand is blue instead of green.
The transition between the 2 colours.
No difference to the case profile.
Same with the previous iteration.
Trip lock crown but only 100m water resistance. Good enough i guess.
Polished centre links on the bracelet.
Used to differentiate a GMT from a Submariner from afar? hehehe
Clasp with easy-link extension.
Only +-5mm for the extension but comes in handy.
Gridelock is still the best though.
Comfortable on the wrist as with any Rolex.
With 3 subtle differences, is it worth the premium over the regular GMTII Ceramic LN?
I would say yes.
Alot of people feel that the Rolex GMT series of watches HAVE to come with a bi-colour bezel...
I mean they can produce in any 2 colour combo and I still reckon they will sell... lol
Seeing my dad wearing it day in day out, I can say that the blue/black of the bezel does not "POP" like you see in the pictures.
Mostly just looks all black. Only in certain angles can you see the slight blue hue...
Even sitting across a dining table, it still looks all black at times.
Unless you take a guy's hand and place it in front you, or inspect a watch more closely ( be careful though, I heard it's rude)... from a distance, it just looks black.
All in all, I think this is a good buy. My dad seems to enjoy it alot so that makes it a very good buy.
