Rolex Yacht Master - An owner's review

My friend Mark was kind enough to share a review of his Rolex Yacht Master.  I will be having more guest reviews in the future - thanks Mark!

ROLEX YACHT MASTER

As a watch collector for the past twenty years, I can claim many

victories over the mad watch bug that strikes us all. I gotta have

that gold Pie Pan, or that Oris 24 hour, anything moon phase... 

Well anyway, one thing that I can't claim victory over is brand loyalty. As

the saying goes "if I likes it (and can affords it) I buys it. Or more

often I trade another watch for it.

This brings me to my Yacht-Master. I'm not a Rolex collector, however

I do recognize that they are among the best mass-produced watches.

Most models are too traditional for me. Perhaps they'll go with the

liver-spots I'll no doubt develop later in life. (Thanks Mom and Dad).

The moment I held the Yacht-Master however, I knew I had to have it. The first thing you notice is the weight. It's 95% steel with solid center links, and platinum bezel, and dial. That dial is the second thing you notice. It's so unique, especially in the sun!  As I mentioned, it has solid center links. The only model I'm aware of that does. They're highly polished, and add a really cool contrast to the platinum on the bezel. 

In addition, it has solid end end-links, so there is no “Rolex rattle” that you hear with some of the older models. It's one solid watch.  Accuracy is typical of many of my friends Rolex watches - 3 to 5 seconds per day on my wrist, 5 to 6 on the winder.

It uses the new Maxi-Dial which in addition to wider hands, also has

larger indexes. This makes it easy to read, and unlike other Rolex sports

models I've owned, you can actually read the time in total darkness!

What a concept!

I guess Rolex heard my rants because most/all of the new sports models now boast the Maxi-Dial.  Again, the design doesn't scream Rolex. It's sort of a “stealth” Rolex and I don't recall seeing another here in town.

The cons? Well none really. Price I suppose if I had purchased retail, but

that's all relative.

A couple of notes:

If you're like me, and regularly trade or sell some of your watches to

make room for new ones, then this all stainless and platinum model

holds its value much better than the TT, or all gold models. And these versions have proven to be much easier to re sell.  But as always, buy what you like.

So I know what a submariner is, an explorer, and I even what a

Daytona is, so I ask you, the TV audience, what the heck's a

Yacht-Master?