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Quick answer: You can win a Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” through UK prize competitions. You buy a ticket or enter free by post, and one winner is picked at random when the draw closes. Always check that a draw has a free entry route, a fixed ticket limit and a real company behind it. Highland Vault’s watch competitions are coming soon, so join the waitlist to hear first when our Rolex draw opens.
Few watches are as recognisable as the Batman. Its blue and black bezel is one of the most wanted looks in modern Rolex, and that’s the problem: getting one from a Rolex shop can mean a long wait, and buying one pre-owned costs well over the shop price.
That’s why more UK watch fans are entering Rolex competitions instead. This guide covers:
- What the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman is, and the difference between the 116710BLNR and the 126710BLNR.
- What a Batman costs in the UK, new and pre-owned.
- How Batman competitions work, including free entry by post.
- How to tell a fair Rolex competition from a bad one.
New to watch draws? Start with our guide to how UK Rolex competitions work.
What is the Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman”?
The GMT-Master II is Rolex’s travel watch. An extra 24-hour hand and a two-colour rotating bezel let you track a second time zone. The “Batman” nickname comes from its blue and black ceramic bezel, which echoes the superhero’s colours.
Rolex launched it in 2013 as the first watch with a two-colour bezel made from a single piece of ceramic. There are two main versions.
| 116710BLNR (the original) | 126710BLNR (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Made | 2013 to 2019 | 2019 to today |
| Movement | Calibre 3186 | Calibre 3285, 70-hour power reserve |
| Bracelet | Oyster (solid three-link) | Jubilee (five-link) since 2019, plus Oyster since 2021 |
| Case | 40mm Oystersteel | 40mm Oystersteel |
| Where to buy | Pre-owned only | Rolex shops (waiting list) or pre-owned |
The Jubilee version is often nicknamed the “Batgirl”. When people say “Batman”, they usually mean the original 116710BLNR on the Oyster bracelet.
Batman or Pepsi?
Both are GMT-Master IIs. The Batman has a blue and black bezel, and the Pepsi (126710BLRO) has a red and blue bezel. The Batman is the more understated choice and the easier one to wear every day, which is a big part of its appeal.
Why is the Rolex Batman so hard to buy?
You can’t simply walk into a Rolex shop and buy a steel GMT-Master II. Demand is far higher than supply, so most shops keep waiting lists for popular steel sports models. Waits can run for months or years, and shops often favour customers with a buying history.
The original 116710BLNR is even harder, because Rolex stopped making it in 2019. The only way to get one now is pre-owned.
How much does a Rolex Batman cost in the UK?
| Version | Where | Typical UK price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| New GMT-Master II in steel | Rolex shop, if you get one | Just under £10,000 (the Pepsi on Oyster is £9,850) |
| 116710BLNR, pre-owned | Pre-owned dealers | Around £11,000 to £13,000, depending on year, condition, and box and papers |
| 126710BLNR, new and unworn | Pre-owned dealers | Can top £15,000 |
So skipping the waiting list usually means paying thousands over the shop price. A competition offers another way in: a small ticket price, or free entry by post, for a chance at the watch.
How Rolex Batman competitions work
Most UK Rolex competitions follow four steps.
- Pick a draw. Check which Batman it is (116710BLNR or 126710BLNR), whether it comes with box and papers, the ticket limit, the closing date and the most tickets one person can buy.
- Enter. Buy tickets online, or send a free entry by post. Both go into the same draw with the same chance.
- The draw. When the competition closes, or every ticket sells, one winner is picked at random, often live.
- Win. The winner is contacted and the watch is delivered. Some draws offer a cash alternative instead.
Some watch draws also include instant wins, smaller prizes you can win the moment you enter. For more on how watch draws differ from each other, see our guide to watch raffles in the UK.
What are your chances?
Your chance per ticket is one divided by the total number of tickets, if every ticket sells. In a draw capped at 1,999 tickets, one ticket gives you a 1 in 1,999 chance. Ten tickets give you 10 in 1,999. A draw that shows its ticket limit lets you do this maths before you enter. Never spend more than you’re happy to lose.
How to enter free by post
A genuine free entry route is what keeps a UK prize draw legal. Under the Gambling Act 2005, a draw you must pay to enter and that’s decided by chance counts as a lottery. Offering free entry by post makes it a prize competition instead. Postal entries must have the same chance of winning as paid ones.
To enter free, follow the postal entry steps in the competition’s terms. Send one entry per envelope, include every detail it asks for, and post it in time to arrive before the draw closes.
How to check a Rolex Batman competition is fair
A Batman is a big prize, so take two minutes to check the draw before you enter.
- Exact reference. The listing should name the reference (116710BLNR or 126710BLNR), not just “Rolex Batman style”.
- Box and papers. Find out whether the watch comes with its box and warranty card, and whether it’s new, unworn or pre-owned.
- Authenticity. A good operator explains how the watch has been checked as genuine.
- Fixed ticket limit. You should see the maximum number of tickets before you enter. No limit means you can’t work out your odds.
- What happens if it doesn’t sell out. Check the terms to see whether the draw still goes ahead or is extended.
- Free postal entry. It should be clearly explained, not buried in the terms.
- A real company. Look for a registered company name and address.
- Published winners. Real winners, with real names or photos where they’ve agreed.
- Age rules. Entry should be for UK residents aged 18 or over.
If a draw fails more than one of these checks, skip it.
Win a Rolex with Highland Vault
Highland Vault is bringing watch competitions to our site, and our first watch draw will be a Rolex. It will follow the same rules as all our draws:
- Free postal entry on every draw.
- A fixed ticket limit, shown up front.
- Winners published on our winners list.
- Run by TVI Fife Limited, a registered Scottish company.
Join the watch competition waitlist to be the first to hear when it opens.
Coming soonWatch competitions are coming to Highland VaultBe the first to hear when our first Rolex draw opens.
Join the watch competition waitlist →
- Free postal entry on every draw
- Registered Scottish company
- UK residents 18+
While you wait, you can enter our live competitions.
FAQs
Can you really win a Rolex Batman in the UK?
Yes. UK prize competitions regularly offer Rolex GMT-Master II models as prizes. Choose draws that show the exact reference, a ticket limit and a free entry route.
Are Rolex competitions legal in the UK?
Yes, when they have a genuine free entry route or a real skill test. Under the Gambling Act 2005, these make a draw a prize competition rather than a lottery.
Can I enter a Rolex competition for free?
Yes. Legal UK prize draws offer free postal entry with the same chance as a paid ticket. The steps are in each competition’s terms.
What’s the difference between the Batman and the Batgirl?
They’re the same watch with a different bracelet. “Batman” usually means the original 116710BLNR on the Oyster bracelet. “Batgirl” is the 126710BLNR on the five-link Jubilee bracelet.
Is a pre-owned Batman a good prize?
Often, yes. The 116710BLNR is no longer made, so pre-owned is the only way to get one. Check that the listing names the year, its condition, and whether the box and papers are included.
Do I have to pay tax if I win a Rolex?
Prizes from UK competitions aren’t usually taxed as income. If you sell the watch later, ask a tax adviser.
Where can I find out more?
See our FAQs, or read how UK Rolex competitions work.
UK residents 18+ only. Free postal entry is available on every Highland Vault draw. Highland Vault is not affiliated with or endorsed by Rolex. Rolex, GMT-Master II and Oyster are trademarks of Rolex SA.
I’m Deepak Bali, and I bring three decades of whisky knowledge to Highland Vault. I’ve built that knowledge through research and first-hand tasting, and I share it here to help you get to know the whiskies behind our competitions and discover what makes each bottle worth exploring.