Rolex Yacht-Master
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008Rolex Yacht-Master
The Rolex Yacht-Master is a popular sport watch, first introduced by Rolex in 1992 with the model 11628 in 18KT yellow gold. In 1994, Rolex issued a ladies model (69628) and a mid-size mans model (68628). This was the first time Rolex had ever issued a smaller professional size watch. In 1996, Rolex introduced two-tone (stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold) to the ladies and mid-size line.
In 1997, Rolex debuted the Yacht-Master in Rolesium, a term patented by Rolex in 1932 which gives the Yacht-Master a stainless steel and platinum appearance. This model (Yacht-Master, reference 16622) is also known as the Platinum Yacht-Master.
The Yacht-Master 16622 with its Rolesium finish very popular. While not in as short a supply as the stainless steel Daytona, the demand is greater than the current supply, and that margin seems to be growing every year. Thus the Rolesium Yacht-Master sells for more on the private market then at an authorized Rolex dealer, much like the stainless steel Daytona.
The Yacht-Master was the first Oyster Professional series watch to feature the Rolex Maxi Dial - so named due to the enlarged markers and thicker hands as compared to the standard issue Oyster Professional watch dials. The extra surface area on the markers and minute hand means more luminous material can be applied, making for a brighter glow. The Yacht-Master case is 40mm in diameter, but a shade thinner than most Oyster Professionals. The thinner case and polished surfaces give the watch a very dressy appearance.
Even though the Yacht-Master has the Rolex Triplock crown, Rolex only rates the Yacht-Master for 100 meters of water resistance (compared to 300 meters for the Submariner). That water resistance rating is fine enough for a sporting watch like the Yacht-Master. It’s not designed to be a diving “tool” watch like the Submariner or Sea-Dweller.
The Rolex Yacht-Master uses Rolex caliber 3135 movement. It is a 31 jewel automatic movement which is manufactured completely in house by Rolex. It has a reputation of being one of the most reliable, and robust movements ever created. Rolex has implemented several, truly notable features into the 3135, such as a Breguet overcoil balance-spring, and the Microstella adjustment screws, and Kif shock absorption. The 3135 in the Yacht-Master is of course COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) chronometer certified.
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ROLEX 18KYG Yacht-master White Dial Ref# 16628 1999 US $12,899.00 End Date: Friday Dec-05-2008 6:20:30 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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MEN'S ROLEX YACHT MASTER STAINLESS STEEL & PLATINUM US $7,520.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Dec-05-2008 8:56:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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MENS ROLEX STAINLESS STEEL/PLATINUM YACHT-MASTER WATCH US $6,999.99 End Date: Friday Dec-05-2008 22:08:24 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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MID- SIZE ROLEX YACHT MASTER 18K & BOX MINT UNISEX US $11,049.99 End Date: Saturday Dec-06-2008 9:18:46 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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LADIES ROLEX YACHT MASTER 18K / STAINLESS US $3,995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Dec-06-2008 10:22:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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Rolex Yacht Master watch Platinum US $4,000.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday Dec-07-2008 5:19:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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UNUSED 18K GOLD LADIES ROLEX YACHT MASTER DIAMOND DIAL US $16,995.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Dec-07-2008 8:09:34 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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ROLEX YACHT MASTER 16623 NEAR NEW CONDITION BOX,PAPERS US $2,500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Dec-07-2008 16:50:54 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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2220: Man's Yacht Master Rolex US $6,000.00 End Date: Sunday Dec-07-2008 21:00:00 PST Add to watch list |
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MENS ROLEX STAINLESS STEEL/PLATINUM YACHT-MASTER WATCH US $6,999.99 End Date: Sunday Dec-07-2008 21:00:39 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
