considering a yacht-master 40mm all gold, please advise

[lovegold]

hello gents, I'm interested in buying my first Rolex ,Ofcourse i can't afford a new one, so on to the next best thing. the 40mm yacht master in all gold, I'm noticing prices are all over the place especially with the blue face, is there any major differences over the years? solid bracelet vs. hollow? any movement improvements? and would an earlier one have a smooth second hand or will it tick like and old 70's day date...thanks so much guys i appreciate and look forward to hearing from you...

[schoolboy]

You can’t afford a new Rolex but you can afford an all gold Yachtmaster?

How much are those selling for?

I’m sure you can afford a new Rolex of your can afford an all gold Yachtmaster!

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by lovegold

hello gents, I'm interested in buying my first Rolex ,Ofcourse i can't afford a new one, so on to the next best thing. the 40mm yacht master in all gold, I'm noticing prices are all over the place especially with the blue face, is there any major differences over the years? solid bracelet vs. hollow? any movement improvements? and would an earlier one have a smooth second hand or will it tick like and old 70's day date...thanks so much guys i appreciate and look forward to hearing from you...

Any particular reason you are after the YM?

[haven_seeker]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

You can’t afford a new Rolex but you can afford an all gold Yachtmaster?

How much are those selling for?

I’m sure you can afford a new Rolex of your can afford an all gold Yachtmaster!

A new sub is $42K CDN, a used YM all gold is $22-28K depending on options and condition.

[nosignalbmwdriver]

It's ok. it's not true solid gold so you get the lighter more vintage feel. The bezel is also very fragile and prone to wear. Clasp is also vintage.

Honestly better to buy a pre-ceramic black dial in solid gold. It's more expensive but a better gold Rolex for the money.

[Onikage]

Nothing fragile or light here.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Nothing fragile or light here.

One of my favorites. This is a classy watch that you never see in the wild. When you do, you notice it.

[SN13]

Alright.

In 1992, the YM 16628 was introduced.

From 1992 to 1996 the yachtmaster shared the SAME Midcase, Bezel (not insert), Crown, and Bracelet with the 16618 Gold Rolex Submariner.

The differences for the first 4 years of production:

1. Dials (obviously)
2. Clasp (YM is more like the GMT Clasp)
3. Bezel Insert (Aluminum Vs. 18k Gold)
4. Lug Finishing (Polished vs Brushed)
5. Caseback (Submariner is thicker thus the 300M WR. YM is thinner like the GMT Line)

Shorter Clasp:


Submariner midcase and Triplock Crown


Crown Extended


Sometime around 1996 they changed the midcase to something FURTHER from a submariner and introduced the 16628-B.

This change also affected the crown, bracelet, etc.

The End Links of a 16628 and 16618 are the same.
The Bracelet Links are the same.

The Clasps are different (You get the longer dive-extension clasp with the sub).

Unless you go with a NEW 116618, you're not getting ALOT for the extra money except an Aluminum Bezel, a Thicker caseback, and a Dive Clasp.

[SN13]

Originally Posted by nosignalbmwdriver

It's ok. it's not true solid gold so you get the lighter more vintage feel. The bezel is also very fragile and prone to wear. Clasp is also vintage.

Honestly better to buy a pre-ceramic black dial in solid gold. It's more expensive but a better gold Rolex for the money.

None of the 5 digits are "TRUE SOLID" they all have voids in the bracelets.

Clasp is "Vintage"? like every submariner, GMT, Explorer clasp from the past 30 years?

The Ceramics are more expensive by a factor of 150-200% for an increase of gold quantity of around $2k.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...9&postcount=53

You can read about calculations there... Basically if you buy a 6 digit sub over a 5 digit sub (116618 vs 16618) you're getting about $2k extra "Gold".

Hope that helps.

[Onikage]

There is probably more gold in the YM bezel than the Sub clasp.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by haven_seeker

A new sub is $42K CDN, a used YM all gold is $22-28K depending on options and condition.

Oh I thought you were comparing a all gold YM to ANY Rolex

In retrospect I see how silly my assumption was

[lovegold]

its a 1997 model, all gold with white face for 15k

[lovegold]

yes, the size and price. i'm seeing them for around 15-16 k. bad idea?

[lovegold]

yes! this is my dream watch! what year? I'm getting so many mixed reviews. i noticed most of them are around 170 grams of gold with all links. i found a blue 1991 model for 15k. hows the second hand? smooth? forgive me. i dont know much

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by lovegold

yes! this is my dream watch! what year? I'm getting so many mixed reviews. i noticed most of them are around 170 grams of gold with all links. i found a blue 1991 model for 15k. hows the second hand? smooth? forgive me. i dont know much

1997. I haven't weighed it. It's heavy bearing on the wrist. Same movement as a Submariner of similar age 3135 so buttery smooth. Blue dial ones tend to fetch a bit more but my advice is to go for the best condition for the cost. Good luck. You'll be very happy.
If you check my post history you'll find some more pics from when I got it. I'd grade the condition as 8.5 - 9/10. Not bad for its age.

[tyguy74]

Awesome choice of a watch! I saw one on a guy down in grand cayman and it sparkled beautifully in the sun. Pre-owned pricing is very competitive for a gold Rolex. Enjoy!

[faimag]

Originally Posted by nosignalbmwdriver

It's ok. it's not true solid gold so you get the lighter more vintage feel. The bezel is also very fragile and prone to wear. Clasp is also vintage.

Honestly better to buy a pre-ceramic black dial in solid gold. It's more expensive but a better gold Rolex for the money.

[2000-NJDEVILS]

I HAVE THE 2006 YM MOP DIAL RUBY MARKERS -
JUST DON’T BUY AN ALL GOLD YM!!!
Why?? Because as an every day watch you will get it scratched to shreds - it is so highly polished that if you look at it the wrong way it’ll get another scratch...
Seriously speaking, it’s very heavy on the wrist - probably double or triple the weight of my Sub. Since you want your first Rolex, start out with something SS and below $5-6K. A super nice condition YM is $20-30K which I doubt you want to spend on a pre-owned watch.

[lovegold]

yes! i love their beefy appearance

[lovegold]

must be well polised!

[lovegold]

here is one of watches i'm considering. 16628B model, no original bezel, no papers just box. supposedly in mint shape. missing one link. 19k

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by lovegold

here is one of watches i'm considering. 16628B model, no original bezel, no papers just box. supposedly in mint shape. missing one link. 19k

Interesting piece. To each their own, if it’s what you like and within your budget, buy it!

[Tangier11]

I think they YM is very underrated. I love the all gold models with the exception of the elongated end center link?

[haven_seeker]

Originally Posted by lovegold

here is one of watches i'm considering. 16628B model, no original bezel, no papers just box. supposedly in mint shape. missing one link. 19k

I wouldn’t buy a sports reference (ANY) without the original bezel. IMO.

[Onikage]

x2 don't pay for those aftermarket diamonds. Shame because the rest of the watch looks spot on.

[77T]

Originally Posted by lovegold

here is one of watches i'm considering. 16628B model, no original bezel, no papers just box. supposedly in mint shape. missing one link. 19k

Why especially does it need to be a Yachtmaater? Without the bezel complication you could make it a DD, DJ, Sub or GMT with a diamond bezel.

But do not pay for this one you pictured. An aftermarket bezel is prone to non-water resistant performance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[lovegold]

i was also thinking that, whats the point of the watch without its original function.

[lovegold]

[QUOTE=77T;10539466]Why especially does it need to be a Yachtmaater? Without the bezel complication you could make it a DD, DJ, Sub or GMT with a diamond bezel.

But do not pay for this one you pictured. An aftermarket bezel is prone to non-water resistant performance.


wow! I didn't know the bezel has a seal! also the reason i like the yacht master is because of the size and price...i like subs and GMT. but most of them are old and have some fading. figured with gold everything (YM with original bezel) i can atlease have a modern size at a good price.

[SN13]

The bezel does not have a seal.

It is a friction ring with a click spring.

[lovegold]

thank you so much for educating me. Is the white face YM you posted yours?