Yacht Master II Steel

[Snipe10]

New here, any opinions on the YM2 in steel? I like larger watches and wear a Deep Sea as my daily and was on the fence about this with the words YACHT MASTER spelled out on the bezel but it's now growing on me. I read the excellent review here and now I'm all in. Don't see many posts or much love for this (16680) and am wondering why. It'd be the most expensive watch I've ever purchased so I don't want to make a mistake, thanks!

[Shazbot302]

If you like it, then that’s all that matters. Mechanically, it’s a very impressive watch. However, the complication is useless and, while it has its fans, there are many who find it garish.

[vh2k]

All yacht owners in Colorado should wear a YMII.

[Snipe10]

That's the problem, no yachts here but as I said, I like the watch except for Yacht Master spelled out, maybe I'll go back to my other choice of the 2 tone 43mm Sea Dweller. Guess I'm not "all in", ha. Have 8 1/4 inch wrists and don't like wearing anything under 43mm. But I do know several people who live here that have large yachts, the yachts just are not in Colorado, but thanks for the reply. Just wondering what people thought.

[sj24k]

such a personal call. it's one of my least favorite rolex models. just doesn't suit my tastes at all. if you like big, maybe break away from rolex and look at other brands. maybe a blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe? or step up and spend a whole lot more and get a royal oak offshore. now that'll be the most expensive watch you ever purchased :)

good luck!

[Snipe10]

Originally Posted by stevenj24k

such a personal call. it's one of my least favorite rolex models. just doesn't suit my tastes at all. if you like big, maybe break away from rolex and look at other brands. maybe a blancpain fifty fathoms bathyscaphe? or step up and spend a whole lot more and get a royal oak offshore. now that'll be the most expensive watch you ever purchased :)

good luck!

Thanks for the helpful reply

[MichaelFlash]

Fantastic watch all around. It does not wear very large imho. I like the fact that few others have it. I find the 10 minute countdown more practical than a chronograph. It also has memory so you can reset it to any minute from 10 down. Flyback, bezel command, etc. An engineering marvel. And as a previous boat owner, the "Yacht-Master II" on the bezel reminds me of the name placed on the stern of a boat. I don't get the whole it is so big thing. It is not.

[ltmgeller]

it's not a mistake if you love it. The model is not the most popular, but for me, it's one of my favorites. I have the YG YMII and its very hard for me not to wear it.

[Walster]

I think the YMII is over the top but I love it. It’s loud and ostentatious but that is why I really like the watch. If you like it then buy it. Don’t over think it.

[cts]

I had the YMII, both SS and WG and sold them both. I liked both watches but like others better...

[drgoro]

My YG YMII is my go to sports watch.

[iLLGT2]

Have steel and yg both with my fav blue hands... prob my fav Rolex’s design wise

[favre12rodgers]

Used to be a grail when I was younger because it was IN YOUR FACE. If I could get a YMII, it would mean I MADE IT.....I HAVE WON LIFE.

Now, doesn't interest me at all...I'm 41.

Seriously, though, the complication is indeed useless....that's a deal breaker for me. I feel it screams "poseur" due to this (however, again qualifying this statement....I mean if it's your sole watch. It would never be a bad purchase if it's just one of many you have because it definitely has some different characteristics versus other Rolex watches).

[drgoro]

It’s because you got boring with age, lol.

Originally Posted by favre12rodgers

Used to be a grail when I was younger because it was IN YOUR FACE. If I could get a YMII, it would mean I MADE IT.....I HAVE WON LIFE.

Now, doesn't interest me at all...I'm 41.

Seriously, though, the complication is indeed useless....that's a deal breaker for me. I feel it screams "poseur" due to this (however, again qualifying this statement....I mean if it's your sole watch. It would never be a bad purchase if it's just one of many you have because it definitely has some different characteristics versus other Rolex watches).

[Zsprings]

I feel it screams "poseur" .[/QUOTE]

I don't agree, it's IMO no more 'poseur' than any other Rolex. As soon as I started wearing the YMII, I found that because of the almost 50mm 'flat' underside bracelet attachments width of the watch, it no longer slips around my wrist like smaller watches. Why don't Rolex give us the alternative of a stainless steel metal bezel as found on my 116689?
It's the loose worn Rolex you sometimes see being worn, dangling almost down to the top of the hand on a guy's wrist, is IMO more 'poseur'!

[Mystro]

This watch is heavily misunderstood I believe because it was the first Larger Rolex model and the watch itself was a showcase of what Rolex engineering really could achieve when pushing beyond the same old models they produced for decades with little change.

To put this in context: The YachtMaster II with its big bold looks is Rolex really flexing its muscles to the industry when other were producing higher end complications. This was the watch Rolex saying “this is what we can do.”

I adore my YMII and I have owned about every other Rolex model over the last 30 years. I think you really need to have owned many other Rolex models to understand and appreciate just how “next level” Rolex the YMII is.
It’s movement is one of, if not THE most impressive they have ever produced. It’s still the only programmable mechanical chronograph movement in the world. That said, the YMII was never designed to be a high volume model and its msrp is expensive. You will not see many in the wild if that matters to you.
Most of the newbie Rolex owners have no clue about the model or even how to use it which is probably best. It’s a enthusiast watch that is into mechanical movements and can appreciate how extraordinary its complexity is, yet still Rolex robust. It certainly has a “in-your-face“ design which is fitting as this is a Flagship Rolex designed to show the industry just what they can do. Shockingly Rolex got every proportion from bezel to dial to even inner dials correct. The bezel is connected directly to the movement so it’s purpose and markers are very different in use than the typical simple spinning GMT or diving bezel connected to the outside of the case. The bezel numbers obviously correspond to the countdown timer that the big red triangle is pointing to. It’s incredibly fast and legible.

I find it wears very comfortable and thin for its size. It’s not a blocky super case but like a large Daytona with organic lines. Translation: If a Daytona wears on the smaller size, the YMII also wears a bit smaller and feels like a comfortable 42mm on the wrist.

It’s countdown complication is probably the most useful and you can leave the large red second hand continuously run in sync with the master time without any damage to the movement. Then a button push resets the timer when you need to time a second event. This is why it’s a fly forward and a fly back chronograph.
I use it all the time as most of what I use a chronograph for to time is under 10 minutes. Build quality feels like a genuine $20k msrp Rolex with smooth button pushes that don’t need to be screwed down. It’s next level Rolex for those that want to take a deeper dive into the Rolex brand than the “A typical” models. You will find YMII owners are very enthusiastic about owning such a watch. The YMII picks its owners instead of the other way around. If the YMII calls to you, it’s only a matter of time as no other watch will satisfy.


Here is my more in depth review and thoughts on the YMII:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=779629

[Master_Grogu]

YMII suffers from things that are a deal breaker for me.
Like many things in life, it looks good from afar, but does not hold against scrutiny.

The initial model had a different set of hands, which I actually liked more. The new one seems out of place. The pushers are interesting, but end up looking strange, needlessly complex. They get ridges for the sake of it. The bezel has the name of the watch on it, because they had nothing to do with all this empty space. The repetition of the 1-10 numbers on the bezel are also strange to me, because they end up being very confusing when you think about it.
Is it 12 or 5 ? Not sure because my bezel and dial say two different things.

Also, it’s massive but not in a good way. It’s massive using curves, which I really don’t like either. The curves say elegance yet the size says humvee.

Anyhow, people can like it, but for me this watch makes absolutely zero sense. It is very cool visually however, for a little bit.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I adore my YMII and I have owned about every other Rolex model over the last 30 years. It’s movement is one of, if not THE most impressive they have ever produced. It’s still the only programmable mechanical chronograph movement in the world. That said, the YMII was never designed to be a high volume model and its msrp is expensive. I find it wears very comfortable and thin for its size. It’s countdown complication is probably the most useful and legible. I use it all the time as most of what O use a chronograph for to time is under 10 minutes.


Here is my more in depth review and thoughts on the YMII:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=779629

I’m pretty sure that review has pushed the OP over-the edge.

Congratulations on your new YM2 OP

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m pretty sure that review has pushed the OP over-the edge.

Congratulations on your new YM2 OP

Now, I am just hear to open up eyes to a larger horilogical world of Rolex. If that happens to be a bad influence to a checking account but a more educated and enlightened enthusiast then My work is done.

[77T]

The YMII is a highly personal choice. The majority of owners prolly don’t have a wrist size to pull it off but yours will handle its size just fine.

Very specialized complication but a distracting bezel. So if you’re not doing countdowns regularly, maybe avoid the big blue bezel…



WG is certainly more $$$ but has a dial/bezel combo that fits the casual user.


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[tquieng]

This watch is a sleeper- once discontinued, the price will go up crazy. Very complicated movement.

[TswaneNguni]

Its not one to judge in pics,has to be appreciated in the metal and on the wrist .I think its very nice !

[Zsprings]

I didn't actually say in my earlier post that I really like the YMII.... I Do, it's great!
I waited so long since seeing it for the first time (2012), all the time hoping for a stainless steel version with an all metal bezel same as with the white gold model. Will we ever see a Titanium YMII model available?

[Snipe10]

I like the YG but too much $$, and yes, Mystro's review pushed me over the edge!

[Vince KSA]

I absolutely love the YM II, and the SS version is the most stylish and my favourite of the 4 offerings.

Indeed I tried it on the other day and it just confirmed how much I like it, but owning a Sub 116619LB I just don't know how much wrist time it would get.



Love this watch.



Good size comparison laid next to my smurf and the new white dial DJ41 which I saw for the first time ever at my AD last weekend.

[Snipe10]

Nice collection Vince! Love the Bronzo Sub!

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

I absolutely love the YM II, and the SS version is the most stylish and my favourite of the 4 offerings.

Indeed I tried it on the other day and it just confirmed how much I like it, but owning a Sub 116619LB I just don't know how much wrist time it would get.

Attachment 1223417

Love this watch.

Attachment 1223418

Good size comparison laid next to my smurf and the new white dial DJ41 which I saw for the first time ever at my AD last weekend.

I don’t want to spend your money but, perfect heavy hitter pair.... I think between those two watches you will have the ultimate pair. The YMII is the more technical sophistication look and the Smurf is the ultimate elegant diver sport look. The two blue watches with white face and one blue face are next level together. IMO.

[rustyyas]

The YMII is a beautiful watch but the dial has too much going on for me.

[Pauln]

Originally Posted by vh2k

All yacht owners in Colorado should wear a YMII.