Even Bruce Springsteen Can't Get Enough of This Beloved Rolex
Bruce Springsteen is a poster boy for ultra-hard-wearing Americana. Think well-worn Levi’s 501s, fitted vests, and leather jackets. It’s become the uniform of his glamorous rockstar success, but is deeply rooted in functionality—much like his choice of watches.
When it comes to his wristwear, he likes going for pieces just as hardy, reliable, and instantly recognizable as his apparel. This usually means indestructible sport watches from Breitling and Heuer. But during a recent outing in New Jersey where he visited Jeremy Allen White on the set of his biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, Springsteen was spotted wearing a black-and-blue “Batman” GMT-Master II.
The GMT-Master II remains one of the Swiss watch brand’s most talked about models, with its roots in the early days of air travel. 1950s Pan American Airlines pilots and staff used the OG Rolex GMT’s rotating bezel and 24-hour hand that could display two timezones for the first time. And in 1983, Rolex revamped it with a mega three-timezone feature in the GMT-Master II. Basically, much like Bruce’s everyday uniform, it’s capable of handling a lot. It also happens to be one of those coincidentally bougie and sought-after Rolexes that watch guys can’t get enough of.
For Paul Altieri, founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches, it’s the perfect watch for the rockstar. “Bruce Springsteen wearing a Rolex GMT Batman is the ultimate blend of rugged Americana and timeless elegance—a watch that’s built to travel the world, but feels right at home strumming a guitar on the Jersey Shore. It’s a timepiece for the man who knows where he’s been and where he’s going.”
The GMT-II Batman was first released in 2013, contributing to Rolex’s roster of bi-coloured bezel bangers. It was the first GMT-Master II to feature a two-tone ceramic dial, which was super appealing to collectors. And, much like its bi-colored dial cousin, the black-and-brown "Root Beer" GMT-II, it’s extremely hard to get and has super long waiting lists. Springsteen joins Ben Affleck (who played Batman in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Tom Holland, and Roger Federer, who’ve all shown love for the Batman.
“It’s a watch that embodies a perfect balance of style and practicality, like Springsteen himself,” says Eugene Tutunikov, CEO of SwissWatchExpo. “The Batman is iconic because of its versatility; the sleek black and blue bezel works for both casual and formal settings, making it a timeless piece for any collector or enthusiast.”
The Batman GMT-II might not be up there with some of Rolex’s most famous models, like the Pepsi GMT or Paul Newman Daytona, but it’s rooted in durable, everyday function—which as far as luxury Swiss timepieces go, feels very Bruce Springsteen.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
