Why does this not get mentioned as much?

[Krash]

Maybe it’s because the Bluesy casts a shadow over it??? When it comes to blue dial watches, I think that’s the first Rolex people think of.


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[JRell]

I hardly ever see any in person. I was at a wedding yesterday and a guy next to me had the rhodium dial. The photos really don’t do this watch justice. In the days of Instagram and having to pick your watch through photos and not being able to see them in person, I think that is a big reason they aren’t as popular. In person, it is a stunning watch.

[Chewbacca]

As someone with lots of paid helpers (lazy), and with a yacht (rich), I assume norms shy from it because one should obviously own a yacht in the first place, and second, PCLs, and third, no arriviste wants to tell people ‘it’s not a sub date, it’s a yacht master’ every time, then being asked if they own a yacht - which they don’t.

[Robf52]

I don't care about the name, and no, I don't own a boat. I love the way it wears and the blue dial is amazing, especially in the sun. Would it be more popular with a different name? Don't know, but I'm keeping mine.

[stockjock1975]

I am the happy and proud owner of a Yacht-Master and absolutely love it!



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[OrangeSport]

It is a stunning watch, but it doesn't look like great value next to a SS Sub (or even a GMT)...

Plus, people (especially many Rolex buyers) are sheep..

[Tools]

I'm not a Yachtmaster fan regardless of the color of the dial. Apparently, I am not alone.

It seems that the blue dial Sub, on the other hand, gets more ink than the other brands mentioned put together.

[smg8]

Thank you all for the replies, and very interesting discussion points

I take the point that to many the ceramic bezel of the Sub/GMT make them more appealing.

That said it is a vastly different watch to those 2 - one of those and one of these would play nicely together and suit different occasions.

I've never handled one of these in person but the wrist shots people have kindly posted convince me I need to see one. I guess the bezel appears to be divisive and one of the most commonly mentioned aspects....

[csaltphoto]

I think it's both a terrific looking watch and a very comfortable watch. The big problem is a lack of "heritage". No one famous wears it habitually. No association with motor sports, air travel, general adventuring, the dive industry, politics, finance, etc. Even the turn-o-graph had an association with aviation. It's kind of a submariner with fancy make-up. So something of an identity problem. I like it though.

[Cru Jones]

I’ve always struggled with the large light grey bezel insert highlighting the smaller blue dial. For me, too much contrast.

I much prefer the grey dial. YMMV.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I’ve always struggled with the large light grey bezel insert highlighting the smaller blue dial. For me, too much contrast.

I much prefer the grey dial. YMMV.

I agree, the wide bezel makes the blue dial appear too small (IMO).


I much prefer the slate dial on the YM40.

[ts3]

The Nautilus and Royal Oak were under-the-radar stealth pieces for most of their existence (same is true for most of the other steel sports watches on your list). This has obviously changed to some extent with the hype over the past few years.

The Yacht Master is a louder watch that screams Rolex on top. I think even today more people will recognize it from a distance for what it is than a 5711.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by smg8

When people talk about stainless steel sports watches with blue dials, the Yacht Master 40 blue rarely comes into the conversation.

If someone starts a thread on a watch forum (here or elsewhere) the blue dial s/s sports watch conversation often starts with the "big three" or Patek Nautilus, AP Royal Oak and VC Overseas

I think the blue dial Skydweller took most the of shine in terms of blue dialed Rolex’s go

Another reason could be that all three of those brands that you mentioned such as AP, Patek and VC have only one over hyped reference each; Royal Oak, Nautilus, and Overseas, whereas Rolex has the Daytona, Subs, GMT’s etc…so the Yacht Master is understandably overshadowed but the other references

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by smg8

Random question I am pondering, would welcome any views.

When people talk about stainless steel sports watches with blue dials, the Yacht Master 40 blue rarely comes into the conversation.

If someone starts a thread on a watch forum (here or elsewhere) the blue dial s/s sports watch conversation often starts with the "big three" or Patek Nautilus, AP Royal Oak and VC Overseas - naturally.

As other options come up there are a heap thrown into the mix, from haute horology to high street. In no particular order names as far and wide as;

Zenith Defy
GP Laureato
Tissot PRX
Maurice Lacroix Aikon
Czapek Antarticque
Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto
Chopard Alpine Eagle

etc etc etc

So why does the seemingly more obvious Rolex not come up as often in the discussion?

Blue dial
Robust
Good movement
Micro adjustment (unlike others)
Brand recognition if that's your thing
Reasonable price point

What's the catch!?

First, let me start off with … I LOVE the blue dial YM40. It could be argued that it is the most attractive Rolex to me. Strangely, I’ve never owned one even though I love it so.

I think when watch people talk about the blue dialed watches when they come to Rolex the first thought is the blue dialed Datejust. Unlike the YM, the Datejust is on the same level of historical significance as the Sub, GMT, and Daytona. Whereas, the YM is not. In fact, the fluted bezel of the DJ is probably the most representative design cue of Rolex (even more than the Submariner) … that is why it is on EVERY Rolex clock in public.



Here is the Rolex clock at Wimbledon center court.




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[HogwldFLTR]

I'm a real fan of YMs. People are more than entitled to do what they like with their money. I feel the YM is the best looking water watch that Rolex makes.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I'm a real fan of YMs. People are more than entitled to do what they like with their money. I feel the YM is the best looking water watch that Rolex makes.

After seeing the platinum dial in person yesterday, I will admit I really like it. Has me thinking now because I want a watch with PCLs.

[jarecki]

My personal opinion (and it’s just that) is that the YM doesn’t get mentioned because it’s ugly AF…

[Chiboy]

It’s a beautiful blue. I agree with some other comments though:

1) the word “Yacht” on the dial is a little pretentious, but nowhere near as in-your-face as it is on the YM2. lol

2) the large bezel makes the dial look small

That said, it’s a nice looking watch, but with a couple of caveats.

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

It’s a beautiful blue. I agree with some other comments though:

1) the word “Yacht” on the dial is a little pretentious, but nowhere near as in-your-face as it is on the YM2. lol

2) the large bezel makes the dial look small

That said, it’s a nice looking watch, but with a couple of caveats.

Is the bezel actually larger vs Sub?
I thought someone recently confirmed on another thread that the bezels are the same width.

[amphr1]

I think the yacht theme is not very relatable to most people. Secondly I don't think it's the best execution of a blue dial watch, mostly because of how the bezel is. When I think of a blue dial watch, I think either black ceramic or polished steel, and neither very thick. In a way the YM is too sporty. A blue dial to me has to feel a bit more dressy or at least more fashionable than a black or white dial.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I think the yacht theme is not very relatable to most people. Secondly I don't think it's the best execution of a blue dial watch, mostly because of how the bezel is. When I think of a blue dial watch, I think either black ceramic or polished steel, and neither very thick. In a way the YM is too sporty. A blue dial to me has to feel a bit more dressy or at least more fashionable than a black or white dial.

Or a chestnut bezel!

[George58]

just a mixed up ref and too flashy

[ElusiveOne]

It was my first forray into the brand and will always be a favourite of mine. Whilst people have mentioned small caveats compared to the sub, nobody has mentioned how it is essentially two watches in one. For me it is both sporty and dress if you want it to be. It fits slimmer than a sub for me and is overall a great piece. Each to their own thought. Some people will like and some not. I am glad it doesn't have a hype train behind it.

[samson66]

It's a beautiful watch but I've heard it described on here like this. Something a bit too snooty about it

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by samson66

It's a beautiful watch but I've heard it described on here like this. Something a bit too snooty about it

Fine. Boat-Master it is, then!

[Driver8]

Some very unusual responses about not liking it because of its name and/or not owning a yacht. I take it there's a ton of members here who own submarines then?

Personally I think it's a beautiful addition to any collection. (Which is why I have one! )

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Some very unusual responses about not liking it because of its name and/or not owning a yacht. I take it there's a ton of members here who own submarines then?

Personally I think it's a beautiful addition to any collection. (Which is why I have one! )

You don’t own a submarine? You live on an island!

DM me, I know a guy.

[alphadweller]

A yachtmaster is a license to handle boats, the equivalent to a driving license. No need to own a yacht.