When was the Yacht-Master released

[CharlesN]

I am wondering when the Yacht-Master with the bezel in platinum with a raised numerals was released.

I would like to discover some of the origins of design.

I am only interested in the miodels with the Platinum bezel.

Do you know ?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I am wondering when the Yacht-Master with the bezel in platinum with a raised numerals was released.

I would like to discover some of the origins of design.

I am only interested in the miodels with the Platinum bezel.

Do you know ?

The first Yacht-master introduced 1992,around 1994 the lady and midsize were introduced.Around 1997 Rolex released Yacht-Master made of stainless steel and platinum bezel and dial

[CharlesN]

Originally Posted by padi56

The first Yacht-master introduced 1992,around 1994 the lady and midsize were introduced.Around 1997 Rolex released Yacht-Master made of stainless steel and platinum bezel and dial

Thank you.

I have just ordered (well a few weeks ago in reality) a watch that is NOT a Rolex but has a remarkably similar bezel.

This watch, A Blancpain was originally released in 1996, a little after the Y-M.

Its not a copy but could almost be mistaken for one.

[Old Expat Beast]

The first Rolex Yacht-Masters were actually marine chronometers (clocks) supplied to Rolex-sponsored racing yachts in the 1980s. They didn't look anything like their namesake watches, though.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The first Rolex Yacht-Masters were actually marine chronometers (clocks) supplied to Rolex-sponsored racing yachts in the 1980s. They didn't look anything like their namesake watches, though.

The 16628 had a Submariner case also.

[alphadweller]

The first platinum bezel YM was released in 1999, model reference 16622. The dial was also made of solid platinum and it was a huge success causing waiting lists at ADs (1). Rolex coined their combination of SS and platinum parts "Rolesium". The very first YM to be sold to the general public was the reference 16628 in 1992 and was in full yellow gold, including the bezel.

The YM has a bezel with distinct raised numerals indeed, making it unique in the Rolex catalogue.

Here's a link to the Rolex Magazine on the history of the Yacht-Master.

https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2009/1...story.html?m=1


(1) source NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/21/s...sultPosition=1

[77T]

A fairly easy read: https://www.grayandsons.com/blog/his...-yacht-master/

Not an Horology Technicum piece but gives a general slant.

Clearly, the YM was the Sub for people who weren’t going racing on an “arm of the sea” but would be spectating upon its surface.


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[ryangambrill]

Love my 16622. Had almost 20 years. It is a permanent fixture in the collection.


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[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

The first platinum bezel YM was released in 1999, model reference 16622. The dial was also made of solid platinum and it was a huge success causing waiting lists at ADs (1). Rolex coined their combination of SS and platinum parts "Rolesium".

I picked one up new in early 2000 and yes it had similar hype as today’s “hot” models. The AD brought it out from the safe as a favor of sorts.
I ended up selling it within a year to purchase a white dial 16520 but replaced it as soon as I could afford another. Only time I ever bought the exact same watch twice.