Yachtmaster 116622 bezel dilemma

[axelfoley]

I purchased my first Rolex in March of this year from a NYC AD: A 116622 Yacht Master Dark Rhodium dial. I was extremely excited about this watch; I have been in love with it ever since it came out in Basel 2016.

Maybe I was naive, but I wanted a watch I could wear almost every day without thinking much about it. The only time I want to remove my watch is when doing physical activity for a long period, like hiking, rock climbing, or helping a friend move.

However, my problem is that the Yacht Master platinum bezel scratches during normal wear if it comes into accidental contact with a solid surface. I don’t want to take off my watch if I’m lifting up something or loading a heavy box into the car. But now I feel like I have to, or the platinum could scratch. I have scratched the bezel loading things into the car and by hitting a wall when walking.

I have no issue with the bracelet scratching — I was fully aware this would happen with the PCLs. I’m annoyed about the BEZEL having 4 visible scratches after just 3 months of ownership. What will it look like in 1 year? In 3 years? I know that that Rolex can fix this at servicing, but that’s only every 5 years. Sure, the YM is not as much a tool watch as a Sub or Explorer, but frankly I don’t want to treat it delicately and have to think about all day whether the activity I’m doing could scratch the bezel.

Here’s my dilemma: Should I flip the YM for a ceramic bezel watch that will be much more scratch resistant on a daily wear basis, like a subC or BLNR? Or should I keep the YM and wear only on special occasions, and buy another watch to wear daily? I love the look of the YM and enjoy wearing it daily, but the thought of babying my Rolex annoys me to no end.

Thanks all! I’ve attached some pics to the post. Although it’s difficult to capture on camera, the scratches are definitely visible in person even when you’re 1-2 feet away from the bezel.

[gr33n]

Imho: scratches are parts of its life.
Just like yourself, like a car, even like your wife, aging tenderly, your watch will get life scars. Because everything follows a cycle of life and death, returning to Nature.
A ceramic bezel watch will get some too.
With time, the bezel will get polished zones: call it patina, don't stress. My lv sub has got awful scratches... but it's living. I agree, the ones on the bezel are hard to get used to. But only a safe queen stay "pure" (that's why i bought a bnib sd4000 ^^ )

[AK797]

I would maybe sell it for a ceramic. I have the lovely blue dial YM and while it hasn't picked up any marks I am fairly careful with it and actually wear my gold ceramic more when I'm doing the harder yards. Or like me have both.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Possibly the most regrettable flip 16622. It's a beauty but hard to read with plat dial but that one looks easier to read. I have a red date disk in the bank waiting for me to instal when I find the right one again.

I could go blue dial.....??? But I like that blasted plat dial and bezel together is so nice

[Porter]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Possibly the most regrettable flip 16622. It's a beauty but hard to read with plat dial but that one looks easier to read. I have a red date disk in the bank waiting for me to instal when I find the right one again.

I could go blue dial.....??? But I like that blasted plat dial and bezel together is so nice

Gotcha!!
Crazy little thing called love!!
Hahaha
My 16622 is one of my favourites! ....Bad flip Mark, BAD!!!

"If you're not having fun you're doing something wrong". Groucho Marx.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Wildy

Mine is from December 2012. Has had a recent service by RSC London and looks as good as new


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Is that 35 mm ??

Originally Posted by Porter

Gotcha!!
Crazy little thing called love!!
Hahaha
My 16622 is one of my favourites! ....Bad flip Mark, BAD!!!

"If you're not having fun you're doing something wrong". Groucho Marx.

Im still searching for you ??!! Have you thought about a green one ??

[Porter]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Is that 35 mm ??



Im still searching for you ??!! Have you thought about a green one ??

Don't search Mark, thanks. Tomorrow I'll send you some pics of my 16622 and you will regret flipped yours! Hahaha, the platinum dial is PERFECT.



"If you're not having fun you're doing something wrong". Groucho Marx.

[Wildy]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Is that 35 mm ??







Im still searching for you ??!! Have you thought about a green one ??

No 40mm, I have a 8.25 wrist !



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[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Wildy

No 40mm, I have a 8.25 wrist !



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Panerai time

[sager]

Keep it! This is my favorite yachtmaster


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[Dennisoul]

Keep it.....almost impossible not to scatratch any watch.....when you put it in for a service in a few years time it'll come back looking like new

[dr35mm]

Just wear it and keep enjoying it. I've had mine for a long time now, wear it everyday no matter what and scratches are a part of the journey.

"Perfection itself is imperfection "





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[rollee1]

The delicate bezel of the 116622 is well known, I wear my watches as they intend to be.
My suggestion is to buy another Rolex for rotation, preowned something like a sub or explorer II.

[00Seven]

Just part of it for a metal bezel to develop some scratches with wear. Don't sweat it...

[kilyung]

That's why I sold mine

[m j b]

Originally Posted by kilyung

That's why I sold mine

Ditto.

[McDusty]

I really want this watch, but the bezel scratching and that it can look dirty/uneven over time puts me off. That, and a concern it might be too blingy

[joli160]

Originally Posted by McDusty

I really want this watch, but the bezel scratching and that it can look dirty/uneven over time puts me off. That, and a concern it might be too blingy

Sofar no problem with mine but it can happen, if so it can be rectified during service time. A soft toothbrush with shampoo takes care of the dirt.

[Rolexlover123]

Can you explain what you mean by "look dirty/uneven?
Is this the way the platinum bezel will look when it ages?
The picture of this watch appears new and it just looks slightly scratched, what is causing the concern for the dirty look? I'm interested in this watch and want to be informed on all the pros and cons.

Originally Posted by McDusty

I really want this watch, but the bezel scratching and that it can look dirty/uneven over time puts me off. That, and a concern it might be too blingy

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Jeffreyc87

In reality, those aren't true scratches...with pt, the metal isn't removed but merely pushed over so it's just unbrushed pt underneath.

You guys crack me up. Platinum doesn't "self heal" or any of that other Internet lore. It's a metal, just like stainless steel or gold. They also experience having the metal "pushed around" when scratched.

Originally Posted by Rolexlover123

Can you explain what you mean by "look dirty/uneven?

I think he's referring to the sandlbasted portion of the bezel. As it gets worn, scratched, polished, etc. from use, that patina becomes uneven and so it looks dirty. IMHO.

I'm going to suggest that it sounds like the OP will never be happy with this watch, for all of the reasons he stated. Sell it.

I had a 16622 YM and I sold it within a year for many of the same reasons.

[Jeffreyc87]

In reality, those aren't true scratches...with pt, the metal isn't removed but merely pushed over so it's just unbrushed pt underneath.

[Devildog]

In fairness to Rolex if you've "hit it off a wall when walking" its holding up pretty well.

Doing that would have scratched an aluminium insert and if not possibly damaged a ceramic insert, would certainly have damaged the bezel itself (like the ding you have just after the 30 marker)

Some of those marks look like material transfer (rather than scratches) Have you tried carefully cleaning them? There are some threads on here from memory.

Or it can be refinished - http://watchmakingblog.com/2011/09/1...master-bezels/

[Wildy]

Mine is from December 2012. Has had a recent service by RSC London and looks as good as new


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[southcarolina1801]

I don't own a YM but if someone could confirm that Rolex could indeed service the bezel and restore the finish when being serviced then I would't worry about it at all.

On the other hand, if the bezel isn't repairable and the platinum is permanently marked then I would probably think about flipping to a ceramic bezel.

[HONDABBQ]

Originally Posted by southcarolina1801

I don't own a YM but if someone could confirm that Rolex could indeed service the bezel and restore the finish when being serviced then I would't worry about it at all.

On the other hand, if the bezel isn't repairable and the platinum is permanently marked then I would probably think about flipping to a ceramic bezel.

Im curious about this as well.

[bdex75]

I would not flip that for a BLNR or a ceramic sub. This is a much more unique and better looking watch. But I like to wear my watches and am not concerned if it looks like it. If most here saw some of the scratches on my watches they would be running to the RSC to get polished immediately.


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[Mr DateJust]

The YM is a great watch. Been close to getting one myself a few times. I like metal bezels over ceramic. Yes they do scratch but all watches get scratched if you use them. They get polished at service. Then scratched with use and so on. The flip side is yes ceramic doesn't scratch but it can shatter where for the most part metal can't and is much more durable.

[Hodog16]

I have liked YM ever since so got into a Rolexes but always preferred a Sub. You sound like you really love the model but if it's giving you grief see if there's another model with a ceramic bezel that will be as great to own.

My big issue with the YM bezel is how parts fade with time and the color is not even.

[warrior]

As others have said, all watches with metal will scratch!

Should people not get the datejust because the bezel scratches?? How about the Explorer? Or Milgauss? or old Daytonas? Or Exp IIs? Or 5 digit sport models with aluminum bezels?

[Wildy]

As shown the bezel will come back as good as new from RSC.


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