Yatchmaster updates

[SC11]

I need schooling on this,

I know there is a newer version of Yachtmaster with the better clasp, now I'm not sure what year this update happened and other then the clasp what other details have changed ?

Can someone enlighten me on the actual differences between them please.

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Oh and please excuse my predictive text, iphone for some reason wants to spell Yachtmaster Yatchmaster !

[travisb]

Newer clasp only came out within the last year or so, after the blue YM was introduced.

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So between the older style clasp equipped plat dial YM and the newer one its purely the clasp that has changed ?

[acr]

Solid center links as well. Anybody know if the AR cyclops was added too?

[Chumpey]

The end links are different too. They're shorter and don't stick out past the lugs like they used to. You can kind of see that below.

Yes: AR cyclops too.

[SC11]

Thanks guys all useful info.

One last question was these updates across the YM size range ?

[Chumpey]

No, infact the two-tone and all gold in all sizes are the last remaining Rolex models, that you can buy new, with the old stamped clasps!

Also: the YM bracelet already had all solid links prior to the recent upgrade (just like the Daytona). The only changes were the clasp and end links.

[Billywiz]

Honestly...although the clasp maybe be better the old one is more than satifactory and I personnaly wouldnt put that down to any more than a 'nice to have' not a deal breaker if you have you eye on one that does not have it.

[versatile1]

Originally Posted by Billywiz

Honestly...although the clasp maybe be better the old one is more than satifactory and I personnaly wouldnt put that down to any more than a 'nice to have' not a deal breaker if you have you eye on one that does not have it.

If you go back to tuna can clasp from Easylink or glide lock, it becomes a deal breaker.

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by versatile1

If you go back to tuna can clasp from Easylink or glide lock, it becomes a deal breaker.

For you maybe...Rolex did very nicely for decades without this.

[LuminousMaximus]

That Yachty' is still poking at me.

It say's, "I will be your buddy for a long, long time, and I will always fill your hearth with warmth and continuous operation without fail...."


FRom the net:

In 1992 Rolex introduced an all new Yacht-Master, but what was its design genesis? A friend of mine, many years ago told me the story of how and why Rolex developed the modern Yacthmaster. I can't confirm his story, because I was not there but I will share it with you:

In the late 1980s, Rolex wanted to significantly update and modernize its Rolex Submariner model. The Rolex design team experimented like crazy and came up with what today is the modern Yacht-Master. The challenge was that Rolex loved the new design, but was scared to death to radically transform the Submariner. The Rolex Submariner was at the time and remains to this day, the most iconic watch in the world.

One could argue that for the last half-century, the Submariner has been Rolex's bread & butter.

Rolex loved the design of the new Submariner prototype; where the original had hard right angles, the new one had smoothly radiused edges. The new version had an etched bezel insert that was permanently soldered to the bezel. The new watch had fat hands and maxi markers and was a magnificent work of streamlined art. The challenge was that it looked nothing like the original.

Jocke, the famous Rolex photographer took the side by side photo above of the Rolex LV Submariner with Black Bezel Insert next to his Stainless and Platinum Yacht-Master. If you look at the two watches side by side, you really see how similar they are-so much so, one could argue they are the exact same watch.

you can read full review here

[versatile1]

Originally Posted by Billywiz

For you maybe...Rolex did very nicely for decades without this.

Not saying it wasn't a good clasp but after having micro adjustments such as on the glidelock clasp nothing else compares.

[77T]

End link compare - old style and new...

Old




New (pic from DavidSW on TRF)

[Miamipawnsab]

I think they just put the new daytona bracelet on the watch personally

[SC11]

Great info as always guys !

[SC11]

Out of interest then which models share the same SEL and bracelets ?

I assume apart from clasp the SubC, SubC date and the GMTII use the same bracelet

But what about the other models ?

[LuminousMaximus]

Thanks 77t for the pics... That helps out a lot!

[DanG]

If I remember right, the 116622 also updated the movement to the The Parachrom Hairspring.

[kerytch]

chromalite lumes, new bezel mechanism, new clasp, shorter end links.