Why is the Yachtmaster II not more popular?

[Phil8352]

I must admit, I love the yellow gold Yachtmaster II. I realize it’s gaudy, and doesn’t have the history of all the other references (debuted in 2007, I think) but is there another reason why this watch gets no love?

I wonder how difficult it is to get from an AD…

[Rollei35]

why is the [X] not more popular?

insert anything, I mean anything not just watch, to X here.

This kind of question is meaningless.

[1st amg]

I had the SS for some time and truthfully it’s one I think about often. It’s a wear and do anything type


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[Phil8352]

Originally Posted by Rollei35

why is the [X] not more popular?

insert anything, I mean anything not just watch, to X here.

This kind of question is meaningless.

Sorry for the meaningless thought about a Rolex on a Rolex message board. I suppose I am not used to being in the position of loving something the seemingly vast majority of people apparently dislike.

Carry on!

[Phil8352]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I had the SS for some time and truthfully it’s one I think about often. It’s a wear and do anything type


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I’m launching a startup in 2025 and when I hit my eventual revenue goal, the YG YM2 is going to be my reward. I’ll probably be done buying watches after that.

[Njkdog]

I personally like the look of it, but it is huge, and the complication is very impractical for normal people. Especially the solid gold version can start to look very ostentatious.

[daysky1]

Originally Posted by Njkdog

I personally like the look of it, but it is huge, and the complication is very impractical for normal people. Especially the solid gold version can start to look very ostentatious.

what he said

[Duralex]

The model name so prominently written on the bezel is something I could do without but it is likely there to balance the numerals above. Also quite expensive with no upside.

[Roger Lococco]

1. It’s a large watch that won’t work for a lot of wrists.

2. It’s expensive compared to other Rolex watches.

3. The complication is not useful.

4. The term Yachtmaster is a negative to some people.

5. It doesn’t have an interesting history.


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[APhound]

I’d like to try one out.
I saw a guy wearing a two tone prob almost ten years ago now and it has always stuck with me as a beautiful watch. I’d prob go with the stainless or two tone since I have a yellow gold sub.
You don’t see them very often like you’re saying and I like that.


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[~JJ]

My opinion:
1) dial focus is on the complication vs time keeping, should be flip flopped
2) while the movement can be argued as one of the most complicated versions created by Rolex, it’s very limiting with only 10min for the average user
3) Bezel looks terrible… they use too large of font and never should have included the name since most peeps don’t have yachts. It’s like owning a Ferrari watch and not a car.
4) hands - way too much going on with the Mercedes, triangle, colored seconds, etc.

[thesharkfactor]

Im not keen on this watch, its the size and the bezel and dial, just too far out there and doesn't work for me.

[Phil8352]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

1. It’s a large watch that won’t work for a lot of wrists.

2. It’s expensive compared to other Rolex watches.

3. The complication is not useful.

4. The term Yachtmaster is a negative to some people.

5. It doesn’t have an interesting history.


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1. It’s 2 mm bigger than the Sub, which everybody has. Yes, it is big, but it’s not like wearing a clock on your wrist.

2. It is expensive for a one-and-done Rolex owner or the casual watch owner not to be found on a forum like TRF. But reasonable compared to many of the watches/collections I see on TRF regularly.

3. Watches, themselves, aren’t useful when you have an iPhone in your pocket.

4. Agreed - the name is cringe unless you actually happen to be in yachting.

5. Agreed again!

Still, all valid points I suppose.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

1. It’s 2 mm bigger than the Sub, which everybody has. Yes, it is big, but it’s not like wearing a clock on your wrist.

2. It is expensive for a one-and-done Rolex owner or the casual watch owner not to be found on a forum like TRF. But reasonable compared to many of the watches/collections I see on TRF regularly.

3. Watches, themselves, aren’t useful when you have an iPhone in your pocket.

4. Agreed - the name is cringe unless you actually happen to be in yachting.

5. Agreed again!

Still, all valid points I suppose.

It’s 44mm. It’s a large watch. I believe it’s fairly thick too.


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[Duralex]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

1. It’s 2 mm bigger than the Sub, which everybody has. Yes, it is big, but it’s not like wearing a clock on your wrist.

2. It is expensive for a one-and-done Rolex owner or the casual watch owner not to be found on a forum like TRF. But reasonable compared to many of the watches/collections I see on TRF regularly.

3. Watches, themselves, aren’t useful when you have an iPhone in your pocket.

4. Agreed - the name is cringe unless you actually happen to be in yachting.

5. Agreed again!

Still, all valid points I suppose.

Wears huge, much bigger dial bezel impression than a submariner and it was brought out before the 41mm sub.

Didn’t realize you were going to rebut peoples opinions, that you asked for, in the quest to somehow establish that everyone should love it as much as you.

[Phil8352]

Originally Posted by Duralex

Wears huge, much bigger dial bezel impression than a submariner and it was brought out before the 41mm sub.

Didn’t realize you were going to rebut peoples opinions, that you asked for, in the quest to somehow establish that everyone should love it as much as you.

Sorry, not trying to come across that way. Good call. Just trying to foster a dialogue/debate about a watch I believe deserves more props.

Cheers!

[Roger Lococco]

I could definitely see myself wearing a stainless steel YM 2 as a fun weekend watch, but it's just way too large for my wrist.

[nighthawk77]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

1. It’s 2 mm bigger than the Sub, which everybody has. Yes, it is big, but it’s not like wearing a clock on your wrist.

2. It is expensive for a one-and-done Rolex owner or the casual watch owner not to be found on a forum like TRF. But reasonable compared to many of the watches/collections I see on TRF regularly.

3. Watches, themselves, aren’t useful when you have an iPhone in your pocket.

4. Agreed - the name is cringe unless you actually happen to be in yachting.

5. Agreed again!

Still, all valid points I suppose.

I generally agree with Roger's original post.

1) Sub until recently has been 40mm (even now is 40.5mm) - YMII is 44mm, so 10% bigger. At that size, you're competing with the Sea Dwellers and Deepsea's which offer a more compelling all-round package.

2) Whilst I generally agree with your point, the watch is still expensive - looking at the entry point for the YMII, i.e. the SS model, you could get a Submariner and a Datejust for the same price. When you consider this, plus points 3, 4 and 5, I struggle to see the appeal.

I do think that the YM offers some advantages over other models. I like the colour scheme used in it's design, and it's certainly unique, offering something different to the norm.

[S’portEye]

And it’s ugly :)

[Wee-Willie]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

Sorry for the meaningless thought about a Rolex on a Rolex message board. I suppose I am not used to being in the position of loving something the seemingly vast majority of people apparently dislike.

Carry on!

don't pay attention to someone from New York....they feel they are so much more superior to us mere texans....we should always defer to their class and correctness.

also, please excuse my typing, I'm still recovering from a shattered right elbow and arm.

[Phil8352]

I feel like it’s the $2 bill of Rolexes.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

I had the SS for some time and truthfully it’s one I think about often. It’s a wear and do anything type


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X2

OP: The YMII is too different from the core Rolex look and that is why most don’t like it. For a bigger Rolex model,it wears surprisingly comfortable even more than the DSSD JC. It’s a masterpiece movement. After owning one, I could easily argue why it is so special from a technical point of view as a movement nerd. It’s got some cool tricks like leaving that large red second hand run indefinitely and syncing it to the master time. Doing this also doesn’t add any extra wear on the movement.

After owning one my conclusion as an owner is : It’s a cool friggen watch outside the herd Rolex mentality. If money was no object I would still own one and may add one back in my collection after my last kid is out of college. It’s ideal if you live in a warm weather climate and a perfect summer watch. It’s very easy to read at a quick glance.

[magicwatch]

I really like it, I wouldn’t wear it everyday but I think it’s a great fun summer watch if you have others in your collection. I do love and appreciate the unique complication it has, and while I wouldn’t use that feature I respect the design of it.

[Tqmb79]

Because of its size. It’s that simple. It takes a larger wrist to pull it off. It’s simply too big for my wrists. It was a 40mm I’d have one by now

[alphadweller]

I don't dislike it, but not enough to get one. Saw the RG TT at the office once, worn by a junior colleague, a present from his parents after graduating. I didn't see him wearing it again after I told him "nice watch, can I see it?". It's a conspicuous piece, can be spotted across the room, if that's what you like. The SS is more appealing to me, but again, no wow factor.

[Tambo19]

It still has its own unique charm.

[CarlOver]

OP, you said it’s gaudy. Maybe that’s why? Size? And most folks don’t own yachts. Don’t know that it’s popular amongst yachtees either.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

OP, you said it’s gaudy. Maybe that’s why? Size? And most folks don’t own yachts. Don’t know that it’s popular amongst yachtees either.

I've been to a few yacht clubs and never seen one. Mostly subs, DJ's and YG DD's as far as Rolex goes. Which is probably what they wear the 90% of the time when they are not at the yacht club, doing the things that let them afford to be there in the first place.

No one is looking at their watch wondering when the race is going to start. I suppose the countdown function is potentially handy. With the exception of a handful of serious sailors most yachters are in it for fun. And it's not F1 or something, even a fast yacht race is leisurely by land standards. And the serious racers are on headsets like any other serious racers.

Truthfully... I don't know that anyone at a yacht club would be caught dead wearing something called a Yachtmaster. Kind of a swing and a miss for Rolex. Doesn't help that the design language is a little outside their norm.

[inadeje]

One of my favorite watches.

[Hkspwrsche]

I recall someone calling it the clownmasterII on this forum when it came out.

It’s definitely divisive. I know someone who has it and loves it.