New Yacht Master II - Wheres the improvement???

[Punchthefatkid]

Just looking at pictures of the new Yacht Master II just released at Basel 2017.

What's the deal?

I can't believe that the biggest 'improvement' is changing the previous versions blue hands for white Mercedes versions.

Just look at the 2 pictures below - how can white hands on a white face be an improvement?

Personally I think this is a mistake - the white on white cannot possibly be more legible can it?

Also, the other 'improvement' is changing the square market at the 12 position to a triangle and the square market at the 6 position to ....wait for it...a rectangle!

All I can say to that is..WOW!!!

[RolexNorth]

I own the YM 2 in SS and I agree, this update is silly. Not sure why Rolex would waste resources to do this. Maybe they heard that legibility of the model was poor so they thought this would help. I think this makes it worse and feel in a couple of year's, Rolex will drop tho model from their line up.

[Bluside]

Very hard to see the hands. You need to be able to tell what time it is on a watch.

[77T]

If you're not buying one, it really doesn't matter. There are about 5 other nearly identical threads about this topic and universal disdain from non-buyers.


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[Punchthefatkid]

Originally Posted by 77T

If you're not buying one, it really doesn't matter. There are about 5 other nearly identical threads about this topic and universal disdain from non-buyers.


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Firstly, how do you know whether I or anyone else commenting on these threads is actually planning on buying any of these watches or not?

Although I agree it doesn't really matter if I or anyone else commenting weren't actually planning to purchase these watches, but if everyone only commented on watches they either owned or planned to own in the near future, this forum would fold very quickly.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Punchthefatkid

Firstly, how do you know whether I or anyone else commenting on these threads is actually planning on buying any of these watches or not?



Although I agree it doesn't really matter if I or anyone else commenting weren't actually planning to purchase these watches, but if everyone only commented on watches they either owned or planned to own in the near future, this forum would fold very quickly.

ok


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[Maxy]

I always love the look of the watch but now they ruined the hands. Maybe they can make BLUE merc hands. One thing I never liked in this watch is that name YACHTMASTER II on the bezel. They couldn't be more creative and place something else on the bezel and name on the dial. Imagine writing SUBMARINER or SEA-DWELLER on the ceramic bezel..

[Tebow15]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I always love the look of the watch but now they ruined the hands. Maybe they can make BLUE merc hands. One thing I never liked in this watch is that name YACHTMASTER II on the bezel. They couldn't be more creative and place something else on the bezel and name on the dial. Imagine writing SUBMARINER or SEA-DWELLER on the ceramic bezel..

I agree, but just like the DSSD, after wearing my new YM2 for a few weeks now, the wording has sort of disappeared from my consciousness.


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[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I always love the look of the watch but now they ruined the hands. Maybe they can make BLUE merc hands. One thing I never liked in this watch is that name YACHTMASTER II on the bezel. They couldn't be more creative and place something else on the bezel and name on the dial. Imagine writing SUBMARINER or SEA-DWELLER on the ceramic bezel..

If I recall correctly, the reason Rolex gave for the name on the bezel was because the names of yachts are written prominently on their hulls.

[P2725TMB]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

If I recall correctly, the reason Rolex gave for the name on the bezel was because the names of yachts are written prominently on their hulls.

I imagine they put the text there to fill the void, as there wouldn't be any numerals, just plain blue, which may not look visually balanced.

I like the modifications and the new YG YM2 will likely be my next purchase after the soon to be achieved AP one. I just wish they'd put a glidelock on it though, like the DSSD has.

[Goin2drt]

Yep just like there is 10+ threads on the new SD.

I don't like the new one and certainly this watch is somewhere on the list to eventually acquire. Hopefully it will drive the prices down of the older version.

[Punchthefatkid]

Originally Posted by Goin2drt

Yep just like there is 10+ threads on the new SD.

I don't like the new one and certainly this watch is somewhere on the list to eventually acquire. Hopefully it will drive the prices down of the older version.

I think the opposite will be true.

The older version will be more popular than the new due to the hand legibility issue.

The older version may actually hold its value better than the new one.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Punchthefatkid

I think the opposite will be true.

The older version will be more popular than the new due to the hand legibility issue.

The older version may actually hold its value better than the new one.

Agree.

[watchwatcher]

I usually try to stay positive on the new releases from Rolex...but this is horrible. Of all the things you might have done to make the YM2 a more desirable watch (such as a glide lock clasp due to its size and heft), this is absolutely the worst and stupidest thing you could have picked, Rolex.

There, i've said it. Rant over.

[Wcdhtwn]

I was betting the YMII would be discontinued. This doesn't change my mind it should be. Seriously, how many people need a complication to time a sailboat race? The only place I could see this watch being appropriate is in Nantucket on the 4th of July. OK, Figawi too.

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I was betting the YMII would be discontinued. This doesn't change my mind it should be. Seriously, how many people need a complication to time a sailboat race? The only place I could see this watch being appropriate is in Nantucket on the 4th of July. OK, Figawi too.

Funny, true and the same could be said for just about any diver. Not many dive to a depth that ANY of these divers are capable of. Or use the chronograph and the list goes on. Time, date and quite a few the GMT. Other compilations the user % decreases a lot.

For me I think it is a unique and "cool" looking watch. I like the size and color. Never yachted before

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Goin2drt

Funny, true and the same could be said for just about any diver. Not many dive to a depth that ANY of these divers are capable of. Or use the chronograph and the list goes on. Time, date and quite a few the GMT. Other compilations the user % decreases a lot.

For me I think it is a unique and "cool" looking watch. I like the size and color. Never yachted before

Well said.

[Ad11wrd]

Originally Posted by Goin2drt

Funny, true and the same could be said for just about any diver. Not many dive to a depth that ANY of these divers are capable of. Or use the chronograph and the list goes on. Time, date and quite a few the GMT. Other compilations the user % decreases a lot.

For me I think it is a unique and "cool" looking watch. I like the size and color. Never yachted before

Well said

[Sakuru]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Seriously, how many people need a complication to time a sailboat race?

Well, I do. But I prefer my Optimum Time 14R, which does a better job and is vastly cheaper.



YMII is an interesting complication, but I've never seen one worn/used by RC or racing helms.

I like Rolexes - and appreciate their sponsorship of many regattas - but choose not to wear mine while racing: too easy to bang it up again winches, etc. Better left for wearing at the club bar.

On the topic of the recent changes: I agree, a step backward.

[Old Expat Beast]

The triangle at 12 balances the dial better, though. Agree the new hands are wrong.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The triangle at 12 balances the dial better, though. Agree the new hands are wrong.

x2

[watchucallit]

Exactly... I have considered a YMII but if i do decide will not go with the "upgrade"

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The triangle at 12 balances the dial better, though. Agree the new hands are wrong.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The triangle at 12 balances the dial better, though. Agree the new hands are wrong.

[Exploradori]

New hands don't work in the Clownmaster. Not legible at all.

[justdate]

Triangle and rectangle good, white hands bad.

[vladamir15]

Many agree it is a mistake. But it's a little better on the yg and rg models

[johnnyjazz]

Looks like they have changed the case as well, the crown guards are changed and the winding crown is different.

[Ravager135]

I like the triangle from an aesthetics standpoint. I don't sail so I am not sure it plays any functional role. I think the hands are a big mistake. The Mercedes hands seem so out of place on this model. I think Rolex is trying too hard to make all their sport models similar. The baton hands give the piece a more classy upscale look aside from the obvious fact that they were more legible.

[AK797]

They are just trying to make it more stealthy, some think Rolexes are showy enough.

[Tebow15]

I think that someone at Rolex is just trying to justify their salary and this is what they came up w. Lol