What is up with the Yachmaster?

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by MesaSean

What are your thoughts on the Yachtmaster..?

My thoughts may not be very popular but you did ask..

I think the later 6digit watches are acceptable, just not the ones I would choose over a Sub or a GMT.. however I think most of the earlier 5digit watches are fugly.

Most?

yeah..95% of them..

..you see the very early YM looked just like a Submariner, it shared the same case - profile, chamfered lugs, same crown guards and the bracelet had the same SEL's, it was all the same and in my opinion it was a stunner, better than the equivalent Submariner - which it was intended to be!

..but then they loused it all up. It was too alike the Submariner so they decided to change it, trouble is a Submariner is a thing of perfect beauty and cannot be improved upon so any change was a backward step.. just look what they did

It's like they had no idea what to do and went mad on the polishing wheel with a perfect Sub.. the lugs - they buffed them right off and then shined up what was left over, the lovely crown guards got buffed and rounded off and also they stretched out and elongated the SEL's beyond the case.. how on earth they agreed this was an improvement is beyond me..

So to summarise, I would have an early 18k YM or a later 6digit.. but the ones in the middle are just not for me..

[SubMarine]

It's hard for me to put my finger on it, but for no better choice of words, it's prone to looking like a fake watch.

[thesharkfactor]

..lol.. I just think they look like they let an amateur destroy a Sub on a buffing wheel..

[SG56]

See OP,

I rest my case 🤣

[Talbel]

Hi everyone.. I’m new here, but a longtime lurker. I went to my AD expecting to pick up the TT CHNR, tried on side by side with the Rose Gold/Steel YM and I was done. To me it’s just a stunning watch and one you don’t see around much. Definitely getting more wear than anything else in my collection. I know some will think I’m crazy for passing on the CHNR, but you have to go with what speaks to you and don’t settle. You will regret it. The YM, I love it, some may not, but thats ok too. It’s why they make different models.

[superdog]

I’ve got a 116655.

And I think it’s incredible.

I like the entire line.

[Muxi]

The plat bezel is just as durable as any bezel with little care. My 5-digit still has a near perfect bezel after all these years

[roklee]

Ym is the best sports watch for me. It has class.

[Nikrnic]

It seemed to me it's kind of stuck in the middle of something else.
It's great looking and love the bezel too, I tried to get up close and personal to a rhodium but couldn't pull the trigger.
I also had the same feeling towards the Expll but l recently did pull the trigger on a new Polar and been happy since.

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[mineral]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

As several posters have already said, the Yacht-Master is perceived by many as a less capable Sub with a bit more bling, a dressy vibe to it and a considerably higher price. Where I live the latest MSRP back in 2016 for the 116622-002 (platinum dial) was no less than 11,350 euros compared to 7,800 euros for the black Sub, a whopping 45% more, putting the YM in steel Daytona's territory (talking retail, not secondary market absurdity).

Let's face it very few people would rather have a YM over a Sub or a steel Daytona. There is less perceived "value" to it. For a lot less you get a "better" watch, for the same money you get a chrono complication, both alternatives being super iconic, whereas the YM is almost a nobody in Rolex history. So really who in his/her right mind would pick the YM?

That'd be me. Why? Because "listen to your heart when he's calling for you" (Roxette, 1988). The 5 digit monochrome platinum dial was my grail since the early 2000s. However, as much as I loved the 5 digit and the latest 6 digit, I couldn't see myself paying retail for it. Luckily, the low popularity of the 116622 allowed me to score one NOS at 33% off from an Italian grey dealer three years ago. At that price I just couldn't resist.

A couple of shots taken last week, an hour to 30 min. before sunset.

Nice shot. I’m joining you




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[WhiskeyKoffee]

I'm right on the verge of picking up a 116655. Tried it on at an AD last week and absolutely love it. What's not to like?

[GMT Fan]

I do like the rhodium YM and the everose YM with the black rubber strap. I bought my first Rolex two months ago. BLNR. Lucked in to it. Wasn't even on a list. Didn't even know I wanted one until the AD showed it to me. Couple weeks later, I thought about selling it and buying the rhodium. My AD said I would be crazy if I did it... Maybe I need a SECOND Rolex. Wish I could affort the rose gold one.

[1kw]

Traded my BLNR for a Rhodium YM and have not missed the BLNR. The YM is more comfortable and to me more of an adult looking watch than the BLNR which looks like a box . I also have a TT Blue sub. C (least comfortable watch I have) which I keep because I love the dial and Everose Gold Daytona with RG panda dial. The YM lugs form fit to your wrist.

[kilyung]

Loved mine but that bezel insert is a scratch magnet!

[michael8238]

While liking the watch, I honestly think it looks a bit dated---that early 90's look.
(YM owners please don't get offended. I like the watch, but I just don't think it has that timeless design to be appealing to many.)

[VicLeChic]

Originally Posted by mineral

Nice shot. I’m joining you




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Looks really cool on jubilee, nice!

[ashokleyland]

On untrained eye, it looks like a submariner from afar.

[No SUBctitute]

To me, the bezel looks too flashy and like costume jewelry. I would love the blue dial YM with a less flashy bezel.

[cdnwatchguy]

I can't explain it but....I have owner the SS/Platinum version 4 different times (yes I know, madness) and while I really love the look of the watch it has never stuck with me more than a few months.

[guycord]

Picked up a 116622 Blue dial at my local AD mid-May

Reclaimed VAT so 20% cheaper straight-off with my personal circumstances.

No warranty card retention or silly sign-offs. Treated like a valued customer and a salesman who was appreciative.

love it. Fits better than my Sub ND, looks better than my white Daytona C

I’m still trying to figure out why no love elsewhere? Is it really the price that is the problem when people will pay premiums to get a hot Rolex? I also gauge from the AD that he was struggling with the design and questioning the beauty of the thing?

[ADSMFreddy]

Current grail is a rose gold two tone yacht-master


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[Onikage]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

My thoughts may not be very popular but you did ask..

I think the later 6digit watches are acceptable, just not the ones I would choose over a Sub or a GMT.. however I think most of the earlier 5digit watches are fugly.

Most?

yeah..95% of them..

..you see the very early YM looked just like a Submariner, it shared the same case - profile, chamfered lugs, same crown guards and the bracelet had the same SEL's, it was all the same and in my opinion it was a stunner, better than the equivalent Submariner - which it was intended to be!

..but then they loused it all up. It was too alike the Submariner so they decided to change it, trouble is a Submariner is a thing of perfect beauty and cannot be improved upon so any change was a backward step.. just look what they did

It's like they had no idea what to do and went mad on the polishing wheel with a perfect Sub.. the lugs - they buffed them right off and then shined up what was left over, the lovely crown guards got buffed and rounded off and also they stretched out and elongated the SEL's beyond the case.. how on earth they agreed this was an improvement is beyond me..

So to summarise, I would have an early 18k YM or a later 6digit.. but the ones in the middle are just not for me..

I take it you didn't land a nice enough one? You do realise the blue dial is the only watch there that hasn't taken a heavy polishing?
In all fairness the edges are subtle on YM cases so they're notoriously hard to polish without looking melted. Wearing the YG without utmost care in particular is asking for it. Still an awesome watch, and quite a bargain compared to its pointy older bro. If there is such a thing in YG Rolex sports.

[Flier]

Originally Posted by RolexPD

It's a Submariner Light that costs $4000 more than a Submariner Date.

I think there's a pretty simple reason for the Yachtmaster's lack of popularity - it's overpriced.

Spot on

[Gate]

Originally Posted by Onikage

I take it you didn't land a nice enough one? You do realise the blue dial is the only watch there that hasn't taken a heavy polishing?
In all fairness the edges are subtle on YM cases so they're notoriously hard to polish without looking melted. Wearing the YG without utmost care in particular is asking for it. Still an awesome watch, and quite a bargain compared to its pointy older bro. If there is such a thing in YG Rolex sports.

Sorry, what do you mean when you said that blue is the only watch that hasn’t taken a heavy polishing? Thanks

[oroloi]

When I picked up my Yacht-Master and put it on my wrist it was singing to me and asked me to buy it so I did.

None of the popular ones did that to me.

1000 popular watch owners + 1 Happy Yacht-Master owner = 1001 Happy customers, everyone is Happy

[mimeocase]

Originally Posted by Brew

I have the rhodium version. It is a beautiful piece, imo. I've never come across another, "in the wild."

I have the same one. Let’s meet up then you can see one in the wild ! Lol


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[Chiboy]

I think the words "Rolex" and "Yacht" on the same watch is a hurdle for some. I also had no idea they cost as much as they do. Wow!

At least you can buy a (mainly) SS one and be treated by an AD like it's 2008!

[soran]

Love the rhodium dial with blue accents.. Only thing holding me back is the resale factor

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by Brew

I do not like ceramic bezels. This is one of the reasons why I own the YM. I hope they don't turn this into just another sport model.

You won’t have to worry about that. Considering the platinum bezel is the reason for the large price gap, and removing it for yet another ceramic one would kill the watch, I think you’re safe

[Brew]

Originally Posted by mimeocase

I have the same one. Let’s meet up then you can see one in the wild ! Lol

Sounds like a fine idea!

Originally Posted by airchitect

You won’t have to worry about that. Considering the platinum bezel is the reason for the large price gap, and removing it for yet another ceramic one would kill the watch, I think you’re safe

Excellent, I hope you're right.