Is the reintroduced BLNR different than the original?

[njlam]

I was so disappointed when the original Batman (with Oyster) was discontinued, and even more disappointed when it was reintroduced with the jubilee bracelet.

However, this year, the Batman was reintroduced with the Oyster bracelet and I am on the list. Question: is the newly reintroduced Batman in anyway different (movement/shape/etc) than the original BLNR?

Thanks.

[garyk]

Don’t think so but I’m sure others here will know!

[Notepad12]

Did it come with the new movement?

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[Greenwood_]

Yes - updated movement (3186 to 3285), slightly different case design.

I’m sure others will know more but here’s a decent start: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ate-guide.html

[Topspin14m]

Originally Posted by njlam

I was so disappointed when the original Batman (with Oyster) was discontinued, and even more disappointed when it was reintroduced with the jubilee bracelet.

However, this year, the Batman was reintroduced with the Oyster bracelet and I am on the list. Question: is the newly reintroduced Batman in anyway different (movement/shape/etc) than the original BLNR?

Thanks.

New movement with a longer power reserve. 70 hours vs. 50.


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[MHB]

I thought the lugs shrunk almost imperceptibly, so technically a new
case. Also new movement with 70 hr power reserve vs 48 hour.

[Onequik135i]

Minute hand is a few hairs longer than the original BLNR as well. Very minor detail but just saying ! And of course the crown in the middle of Swiss Made located on the lower dial.

[JRell]

Slimmer lugs

[amh]

Originally Posted by JRell

Slimmer lugs

Yes, allegedly. However I've never seen anyone use calipers to verify. I think it's a tiny change compared to the difference between Sub40 and Sub41.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by amh

Yes, allegedly. However I've never seen anyone use calipers to verify. I think it's a tiny change compared to the difference between Sub40 and Sub41.

When the BLRO first came out with “new lugs” there was a couple of threads here verying with calipers that there was NO difference in size or shape. The springbar holes were drilled slightly different to confuse folks but bracelets could be interchanged by using the ones that came with the bracelet used.
Somehow four years later this myth persists.

PS: I owned an 11 series BLNR when I got my 12 series BLRO in 2018, held them both in my hands together and there is NO difference.

[Tim Plains]

The newer model has a crown between Swiss and Made. That's an easy way to tell them apart.

[APPRF]

The main difference is the original BLNR has the more reliable silent movement 3186 while the new BLNR has the 3285 movement which has the 72 hours and noisy rotor. Otherwise from the outside it would be hard to differentiate between them until you see the crown at six of the new BLNR

[njlam]

Originally Posted by APPRF

The main difference is the original BLNR has the more reliable silent movement 3186 while the new BLNR has the 3285 movement which has the 72 hours and noisy rotor. Otherwise from the outside it would be hard to differentiate between them until you see the crown at six of the new BLNR

Interesting.

More reliable? How so?

Noisy? Noticeable?

Great info on this website. Thanks to all!

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by njlam

Interesting.

More reliable? How so?

Noisy? Noticeable?

Great info on this website. Thanks to all!

Reliable as in tested for so many years since the 3186 was in production while there are threads the new movements have some problems with accuracy. Noisy as when you shake an old BLNR with 3186 movement you hear nothing, very solid like a Rolex movement should be. Shake a new BLNR and you will hear noise as somthing moving inside like ETA movements.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by APPRF

Reliable as in tested for so many years since the 3186 was in production while there are threads the new movements have some problems with accuracy. Noisy as when you shake an old BLNR with 3186 movement you hear nothing, very solid like a Rolex movement should be. Shake a new BLNR and you will hear noise as somthing moving inside like ETA movements.

This really amazed me, and not to mention the oddest thing about the 3285/6 is that when you change the time it moves anti-clockwise. Really freaked me out the first time I changed the time on my GMT, as every other Rolex I had changes the time clockwise when you turn the crown

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by Solo118

This really amazed me, and not to mention the oddest thing about the 3285/6 is that when you change the time it moves anti-clockwise. Really freaked me out the first time I changed the time on my GMT, as every other Rolex I had changes the time clockwise when you turn the crown

Ya same thing happened with me, almost had a heart attack when adjusting my my Rootbeer for the first time. I was watching a comparison between real and fake Rolex and they said if it moves anti clockwise that means it's fake

[njlam]

Originally Posted by Solo118

This really amazed me, and not to mention the oddest thing about the 3285/6 is that when you change the time it moves anti-clockwise. Really freaked me out the first time I changed the time on my GMT, as every other Rolex I had changes the time clockwise when you turn the crown

Originally Posted by APPRF

Ya same thing happened with me, almost had a heart attack when adjusting my my Rootbeer for the first time. I was watching a comparison between real and fake Rolex and they said if it moves anti clockwise that means it's fake

This seems to me to be significant. What other Rolexes have this feature (anti-clockwise when setting)? Is this a generational change or just for a small subset of their line?

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by njlam

Interesting.

More reliable? How so?

Noisy? Noticeable?

Great info on this website. Thanks to all!

Do a search for "32XX movement problem" for the reliability piece. There's a huge thread here with lots of info to allow for informed decision-making.

The 32xx rotor is a little more noisy than the older 31xx movements due to using ceramic ball bearings (for longevity) as opposed to the more silent sleeve bearings. IME it's not overly noticeable on the wrist, as it's nowhere near the loudness of a 7750 for example.

In terms of case differences, I've never noticed any difference whatsoever. A mate of mine owns both a 116710LN and a 126710CHNR and after comparing both in detail (admittedly by eye and feel alone) neither of us could determine any difference. If there is a micron difference here and there, it needs calipers to tell, so it's utterly inconsequential IRL.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Do a search for "32XX movement problem" for the reliability piece. There's a huge thread here with lots of info to allow for informed decision-making.

The 32xx rotor is a little more noisy than the older 31xx movements due to using ceramic ball bearings (for longevity) as opposed to the more silent sleeve bearings. IME it's not overly noticeable on the wrist, as it's nowhere near the loudness of a 7750 for example.

In terms of case differences, I've never noticed any difference whatsoever. A mate of mine owns both a 116710LN and a 126710CHNR and after comparing both in detail (admittedly by eye and feel alone) neither of us could determine any difference. If there is a micron difference here and there, it needs calipers to tell, so it's utterly inconsequential IRL.

Thank you. First hand experience, not internet lore.

Originally Posted by jtorrebl

Here’s a video of the differences along with the slightly tapered case
https://youtu.be/1tuz-sFTkHY

And here's a capture from that video. Can't see a difference, look at the top of the image

[Rolexavidfan]

Originally Posted by amh

Thank you. First hand experience, not internet lore.



And here's a capture from that video. Can't see a difference, look at the top of the image

Lugs on the newer models are indeed slimmer!


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[njlam]

Originally Posted by amh

Between the two, do you have a preference?

After all the comments, if I could chose, I might prefer the original to the new one. While I cannot tell a difference in the lugs, the older movement's adjustability (clockwise) and its relative quietness are appealing.

Is the new movement supposed to be better?

On Chrono24, it seems the 116710BLNR is offered at higher prices than the newer 126710BLNR.

Am I just imagining things or is there a preference for the 116710 over the 126710?

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by njlam

I was so disappointed when the original Batman (with Oyster) was discontinued, and even more disappointed when it was reintroduced with the jubilee bracelet.

Those two events — the discontinuation of the 116710BLNR and the introduction of the 126710BLNR with Jubilee occurred at exactly the same time…

It is a source of disagreement, but the lugs are cut slight differently (more concave) on the 126710 than on the 116710, so it appears more streamlined and less boxy, while they have the same width.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

the lugs are cut slight differently (more concave) on the 126710 than on the 116710, so it appears more streamlined and less boxy, while they have the same width.

Which is a great improvement!


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[amh]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

Those two events — the discontinuation of the 116710BLNR and the introduction of the 126710BLNR with Jubilee occurred at exactly the same time…

It is a source of disagreement, but the lugs are cut slight differently (more concave) on the 126710 than on the 116710, so it appears more streamlined and less boxy, while they have the same width.

I've watched countless videos on this and cannot tell the difference. Narrator keeps saying "See - they're smaller on the new model!" No, I still can't see it

Makes me wonder if it's worth going through all the trouble with an AD to find the 126710 model. Do I need 70h power reserve? Not really - the larger the collection, the less each piece gets worn. Heck, even a manual wind Speedmaster (*gasp*!) would start making sense!

[njlam]

Originally Posted by amh

I've watched countless videos on this and cannot tell the difference. Narrator keeps saying "See - they're smaller on the new model!" No, I still can't see it

Makes me wonder if it's worth going through all the trouble with an AD to find the 126710 model. Do I need 70h power reserve? Not really - the larger the collection, the less each piece gets worn. Heck, even a manual wind Speedmaster (*gasp*!) would start making sense!

Can you still find a 116710 at an AD?

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by njlam

Can you still find a 116710 at an AD?

Not anymore, there were some random pieces in the ADs up until a couple of years back though as they somehow got through the system a bit delayed.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

When the BLRO first came out with “new lugs” there was a couple of threads here verying with calipers that there was NO difference in size or shape. The springbar holes were drilled slightly different to confuse folks but bracelets could be interchanged by using the ones that came with the bracelet used.
Somehow four years later this myth persists.

PS: I owned an 11 series BLNR when I got my 12 series BLRO in 2018, held them both in my hands together and there is NO difference.

What about when wearing? From what I've read it sounds like the greatest difference is in how they sit on the wrist, with the 12 series having a less "blocky" appearance.

Originally Posted by njlam

Can you still find a 116710 at an AD?

Only in the pre-owned section, lol. That one has been out of the lineup for years, and you don't find any Rolexes lingering the way they used to (especially a GMT).

[amh]

Originally Posted by njlam

Can you still find a 116710 at an AD?

Can you find 126710 an AD? Took me 9 years to find one to try on, and now they are "exhibition only."

[dmash]

I'm most interested as to when they add AR like the green GMT and other models.

[Onequik135i]

Wish my BLNR had AR, it’s so nice on the newer Sub date.