Can someone explain the OP Yacht-Master to me?

[Speedbird-1]

It's a fashion item.

[RJRJRJ]

It's just a fancier Sub with a PM bi-directional bezel. It is also thinner with it's lower WR, so it wears a bit better as well.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I think you're reading too much into it. Rolex is in a transition period with its movements, and it just hasn't gotten around to updating the Subs yet.

To use a real submariner’s term it’s for ‘skimmers’. Could’ve equally been called the surface-dweller, eg those who don’t go deep. Also has a PM bezel which may be more in keeping with the yacht-set.

I kind of like the Oysterflex YM. Would like to see a YM42 in the flesh out of interest. I hope they always make sports models in 40 also though. Always admired Rolex for sticking to their guns and not oversizing everything.

[SG56]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Why is a string of diamonds on a bracelet called a tennis bracelet.

Hahahahahaha, love it!


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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Why is a string of diamonds on a bracelet called a tennis bracelet.

because Chris Evert wore one and the name stuck. kind of like a Paul Newman

[77T]

It is unique.

First Pro Series Rolex that was born in Gold vs the base Sub in SS.

First Pro Series Rolex to be made in full-size, mid-size and ladies lineup.

Only Rolex that can alternatively measure countdown or elapsed time.

First Pro Series Rolex to utilize Platinum.

And lastly...only Pro Series Rolex to come in two separate complication versions.

Hope that helps


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[R!$]

consider it a dressy Submariner

[chris975d]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The bezel on the YM is to time the distance between buoys. I wish I were joking, but Rolex actually says that on their website.

Jokes aside, the YM was originally designed as an update of and replacement for the Submariner. Fortunately saner minds prevailed, and it was released as a standalone model, but has always had a bit of an identity crisis as a result.

As JacksonStone says above, the story is that it was created to replace the Sub, but conservative minds won out.

Some of the story is below the section titled “The Rebirth Of The Rolex Submariner Yacht-Master” here:

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2009/10...story.html?m=1

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The bezel on the YM is to time the distance between buoys. I wish I were joking, but Rolex actually says that on their website.

Jokes aside, the YM was originally designed as an update of and replacement for the Submariner. Fortunately saner minds prevailed, and it was released as a standalone model, but has always had a bit of an identity crisis as a result.

I’d heard similar. It was the first new model that Rolex released that was only cosmetically different to another model. Basically a dressy Sub.

[VicLeChic]

As already said, a more premium Submariner, specifically in terms of levels of finish and materials used: fully polished case and sandblasted solid platinum bezel with polished raised markers and numerals, at a time when the Sub had a paltry and rather dull aluminum bezel. A solid platinum dial with a matching sandblasted finish when the Sub had a matte black brass dial. Its bracelet had solid links when the Sub's links were hollow. So quite a few differences at the time, before the Sub became more luxurious and managed to catch up with the YM in terms of exceptional finish, if we exclude the bezel.

Also the YM was the first Rolex model to introduce the maxidial (followed by the Sub 16610LV years later) and to bring the term rolesium (elements of platinum and steel combined).

The bezel action of the Yacht-Master is much smoother than the Sub's and Sea-Dweller's. It offers less resistance, kind of glides under your fingers. Handy if you need to quickly move it in any direction to "track time elapsed between buoys" indeed as JacksonStone mentioned from the Rolex brochure. It's basically marketed as a toolwatch for regattas, no need to actually own any yacht, crew member is fine, owning the yachtmaster qualification would help (licence to handle boats). Ten minutes before the race you set the 12 o'clock triangle of the bezel 10 minutes forward to the minute hand for the countdown to begin, then when the race starts (triangle dead on the minute hand) you take note of the minutes elapsed when you reach the first buoy and reset again at the next buoy. So to boil an egg it's more practical to move the triangle forward by say 3 minutes after the minute hand in order to use the bezel as a countdown until the hand reaches the triangle. It's a neat little feature, mostly useless but quaint. It would be great if Rolex would develop an alarm when the countdown reaches zero so that you don't have to keep looking at the bezel until that moment to avoid skipping the zero and missing the start of the race or overcooking your eggs.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

As already said, a more premium Submariner, specifically in terms of levels of finish and materials used: fully polished case and sandblasted solid platinum bezel with polished raised markers and numerals, at a time when the Sub had a paltry and rather dull aluminum bezel. A solid platinum dial with a matching sandblasted finish when the Sub had a matte black brass dial. Its bracelet had solid links when the Sub's links were hollow. So quite a few differences at the time, before the Sub became more luxurious and managed to catch up with the YM in terms of exceptional finish, if we exclude the bezel.

Also the YM was the first Rolex model to introduce the maxidial (followed by the Sub 16610LV years later) and to bring the term rolesium (elements of platinum and steel combined).

The bezel action of the Yacht-Master is much smoother than the Sub's and Sea-Dweller's. It offers less resistance, kind of glides under your fingers. Handy if you need to quickly move it in any direction to "track time elapsed between buoys" indeed as JacksonStone mentioned from the Rolex brochure. It's basically marketed as a toolwatch for regattas, no need to actually own any yacht, crew member is fine, owning the yachtmaster qualification would help (licence to handle boats). Ten minutes before the race you set the 12 o'clock triangle of the bezel 10 minutes forward to the minute hand for the countdown to begin, then when the race starts (triangle dead on the minute hand) you take note of the minutes elapsed when you reach the first buoy and reset again at the next buoy. So to boil an egg it's more practical to move the triangle forward by say 3 minutes after the minute hand in order to use the bezel as a countdown until the hand reaches the triangle. It's a neat little feature, mostly useless but quaint. It would be great if Rolex would develop an alarm when the countdown reaches zero so that you don't have to keep looking at the bezel until that moment to avoid skipping the zero and missing the start of the race or overcooking your eggs.

Great explanation on how to use the bezel. In theory, one could do the same thing with a unidirectional bezel, but it would be far less convenient to have to wind the bezel back, say, 55 minutes, rather than move it forward five. Also, in critical timing situations, the extra time to move the bezel could throw things off. Then again, in this day and age, if timing is that critical, it's likely someone would be using some kind of digital timer.

[Wrist King]

Originally Posted by 037

If only waves, wind direction, current and nautical speed weren't a factor!

That's what its for. If you know the time between two buoys with a known distance and a known speed through the water, you can calculate the tidal flow.

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[AK797]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

The Sub has never been designed for those going in Submarines. It used to be a dive watch. For those who go under the ocean surface. sub marin er as opposed to sub marine er.

It's appeal hugely lies with one famous person that did, Naval Commander Bond. YM is more for the Charlie Sheen types... same difference really in this day and age.

[Rokoru]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

As already said, a more premium Submariner, specifically in terms of levels of finish and materials used: fully polished case and sandblasted solid platinum bezel with polished raised markers and numerals, at a time when the Sub had a paltry and rather dull aluminum bezel. A solid platinum dial with a matching sandblasted finish when the Sub had a matte black brass dial. Its bracelet had solid links when the Sub's links were hollow. So quite a few differences at the time, before the Sub became more luxurious and managed to catch up with the YM in terms of exceptional finish, if we exclude the bezel.

Also the YM was the first Rolex model to introduce the maxidial (followed by the Sub 16610LV years later) and to bring the term rolesium (elements of platinum and steel combined).

The bezel action of the Yacht-Master is much smoother than the Sub's and Sea-Dweller's. It offers less resistance, kind of glides under your fingers. Handy if you need to quickly move it in any direction to "track time elapsed between buoys" indeed as JacksonStone mentioned from the Rolex brochure. It's basically marketed as a toolwatch for regattas, no need to actually own any yacht, crew member is fine, owning the yachtmaster qualification would help (licence to handle boats). Ten minutes before the race you set the 12 o'clock triangle of the bezel 10 minutes forward to the minute hand for the countdown to begin, then when the race starts (triangle dead on the minute hand) you take note of the minutes elapsed when you reach the first buoy and reset again at the next buoy. So to boil an egg it's more practical to move the triangle forward by say 3 minutes after the minute hand in order to use the bezel as a countdown until the hand reaches the triangle. It's a neat little feature, mostly useless but quaint. It would be great if Rolex would develop an alarm when the countdown reaches zero so that you don't have to keep looking at the bezel until that moment to avoid skipping the zero and missing the start of the race or overcooking your eggs.

Wow, I liked this explanation a lot. I didn't know much about the YM honestly..

[brandrea]

It’s just a fancier Sub.

I like the new 42

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

Ten minutes before the race you set the 12 o'clock triangle of the bezel 10 minutes forward to the minute hand for the countdown to begin, then when the race starts (triangle dead on the minute hand) you take note of the minutes elapsed when you reach the first buoy and reset again at the next buoy. So to boil an egg it's more practical to move the triangle forward by say 3 minutes after the minute hand in order to use the bezel as a countdown until the hand reaches the triangle. It's a neat little feature, mostly useless but quaint. It would be great if Rolex would develop an alarm when the countdown reaches zero so that you don't have to keep looking at the bezel until that moment to avoid skipping the zero and missing the start of the race or overcooking your eggs.

I disagree having started in many races. Timing needs to be down to the second. Having a minute marker does little to help. Much better off with a stop watch or YMII. I guess if someone has the memory capacity of a seagull, then the minute timer bezel is helpful. The second hand is the most important. The point is to be the most windward boat to cross the starting line closest following the gun/horn. Truthfully, it's a fashion watch designed to be sold to the yachting class (or those wanting to identify with them).

[samson66]

Originally Posted by chris975d

As JacksonStone says above, the story is that it was created to replace the Sub, but conservative minds won out.

Some of the story is below the section titled “The Rebirth Of The Rolex Submariner Yacht-Master” here:

http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2009/10...story.html?m=1

Interesting read, thanks for posting. This paragraph sort of sums it up:


"Essentially, the first Yacht-Master was positioned as a Luxury version of the Submariner. The Submariner was for use underwater, and the Yacht-Master was for use topside. If the Submariner was for The Captain/The Skipper, the Yacht-Master was for Thurston Howell III (The Millionaire)."

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[samson66]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

As already said, a more premium Submariner, specifically in terms of levels of finish and materials used: fully polished case and sandblasted solid platinum bezel with polished raised markers and numerals, at a time when the Sub had a paltry and rather dull aluminum bezel. A solid platinum dial with a matching sandblasted finish when the Sub had a matte black brass dial. Its bracelet had solid links when the Sub's links were hollow. So quite a few differences at the time, before the Sub became more luxurious and managed to catch up with the YM in terms of exceptional finish, if we exclude the bezel.

Also the YM was the first Rolex model to introduce the maxidial (followed by the Sub 16610LV years later) and to bring the term rolesium (elements of platinum and steel combined).

The bezel action of the Yacht-Master is much smoother than the Sub's and Sea-Dweller's. It offers less resistance, kind of glides under your fingers. Handy if you need to quickly move it in any direction to "track time elapsed between buoys" indeed as JacksonStone mentioned from the Rolex brochure. It's basically marketed as a toolwatch for regattas, no need to actually own any yacht, crew member is fine, owning the yachtmaster qualification would help (licence to handle boats). Ten minutes before the race you set the 12 o'clock triangle of the bezel 10 minutes forward to the minute hand for the countdown to begin, then when the race starts (triangle dead on the minute hand) you take note of the minutes elapsed when you reach the first buoy and reset again at the next buoy. So to boil an egg it's more practical to move the triangle forward by say 3 minutes after the minute hand in order to use the bezel as a countdown until the hand reaches the triangle. It's a neat little feature, mostly useless but quaint. It would be great if Rolex would develop an alarm when the countdown reaches zero so that you don't have to keep looking at the bezel until that moment to avoid skipping the zero and missing the start of the race or overcooking your eggs.

Terrific post, thanks for taking the time to write it up. Very informative. Buoy timing is a bit of a stretch mainly because it would only be accurate to within roughly +/- 30 seconds. But the ability to move the bezel on either direction definitely makes more sense now.

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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by samson66

But the ability to move the bezel on either direction definitely makes more sense now.

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its more dangerous for timing the cooking for frozen pizzas which is the real reason people prefer a sub. You cant accidentally move the bezel the wrong way and cook it for too long and burn it.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

its more dangerous for timing the cooking for frozen pizzas which is the real reason people prefer a sub. You cant accidentally move the bezel the wrong way and cook it for too long and burn it.

I hate to admit the number of times I have used my 5,000 depth rated Sea Dweller to time cooking LOL.

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[VicLeChic]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I disagree having started in many races. Timing needs to be down to the second. Having a minute marker does little to help. Much better off with a stop watch or YMII. I guess if someone has the memory capacity of a seagull, then the minute timer bezel is helpful. The second hand is the most important.

Isn't that the reason why you have a vivid red second hand, to assist with the countdown down to the second?

[JElvis]

Originally Posted by logo

One does not yacht without bling. Thus, the polished links and platinum bezel.

by far my favorite answer on this thread!

[Brew]

Mine doubles as a Bass-Master.



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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by JElvis

by far my favorite answer on this thread!

The marker needs to be at the second hand; typically I use a fifteen minute countdown. The YMII is a real race start watch. I don't see this as really all that useful. On the Pt version the hands disappear into the dial pretty readily. Without the red hand it would be much less useful. There are multiple version out there including ones with silver and blue second hands. I think it's much less a toop watch and much more a watch for yachting fashion

[Mundi]

I'd love to answer this, but am too busy yachting. Sorry.

[EDL7]

Didn't it go to the top of Mt Everest back in the day...or was that K2...?
And...
Didn't Jacques Cousteau do most all his deep sea diving w/it..lol..

[77T]

Originally Posted by Brew

Mine doubles as a Bass-Master.


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.
.
.
Mine used to be the Snook-Master.

Great teaser along with a spoon.




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[Coolex]

Originally Posted by samson66

I get the YMII with the countdown timer. That makes sense to me. If you race yachts it is something you might need/use

Ha, that's rich... No one racing yachts (and winning) is fooling around with a tiny timer on their Rolex.

It's just a very slim sleek design that goes well with yachting attire.

[037]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

That's what its for. If you know the time between two buoys with a known distance and a known speed through the water, you can calculate the tidal flow.

But, time between buoys will differ depending on said factors, making elapsed times different. As in, the time from buoy B to A might be 10 minutes but 12 minutes going from buoy A to B due to the factors I mentioned earlier.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Coolex

Ha, that's rich... No one racing yachts (and winning) is fooling around with a tiny timer on their Rolex.

It's just a very slim sleek design that goes well with yachting attire.

Yes I am quite aware that no yacht racer is actually using a YMII to time their starts just like I am aware divers use dive computers these days rather that Submariners. Technology has long since passed by mechanical watches. The point is it is named Yacht Master because the YMII was specifically designed as a tool watch with a countdown timer to time the starts of regatta races. The OP Yacht Master seemed to have nothing to do with actual yachting as far as I could tell. Seems that Rolex came up with a revised Submariner and didn't know what to do with it, so they just called it a Yacht-Master. That was what I was asking.

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