Personalized Yacht-Master II

[ByronB]

Okay fellow TRF members, I thought that some of you might appreciate a pic of my new "personalized" 116680. I finally have what is essentially the watch that I have been wanting since the introduction of the Yacht-Master II back in 2010. I fell in love with the white gold version upon first sight. The problem for me was I knew that besides the prohibitively high price of entry, gold watches do not tend to hold up as well to daily use as well as stainless watches in my experience because I had stretched out several two-tone jubilee and oyster bracelets in the late 80's and 90's. When the stainless version came out a few years later, I was excited initially, but the fact is I just never warmed up to the bright blue ceramic bezel. I personally was not a big fan of the blue hands either. When the 2017 refresh came out, I took a second look. I certainly liked it more, but I still felt that if it weren't for that bright blue bezel I would probably have to have that watch.

The last time I had fallen in love with a watch was back in '99 when the original Yacht-Master 16622 came out, and I purchased my first one in 2000. That model has been my daily ever since. I have always been enamored with the look of the sandblasted/polished Platinum bezel. Here we are 20 years later, and I finally upgraded to a watch that fits my 8+ inch wrist much better than the 40mm case, yet still has a similar overall look and the durability of my trusty 16622. I sourced a Platinum bezel from a 116689 and exchanged it with the blue ceramic bezel that came on my new 116680. Voila! I am so excited about the look of this watch!

For what it's worth, I realize that YM II's are not one of the favorites of the majority of the Rolex community. I have no problem with that. To each his own, and I am the only one that really needs to like it. I do feel that one of the most common complaints of the bezel shouting "YACHT-MASTER II" has now been at least partially addressed on this 116680 because in my opinion the bezels on the precious metal versions seem not quite as "loud" as the steel version with the blue ceramic bezel due to the characters being basically the same color as the background. I also am one of the minority in that I find the countdown timer useful for simple daily chores.

I am sure that this pic will not serve to change the mind of any of the haters of this watch, but maybe a few folks will respect the personal touch that I chose to give to mine. It sure works for me!

[bazin]

*****
Very nice, absolute very exclusive and unique watch........!

[bazin]

*****
Another exclusive example........the "Blue Hands" version....discontinued 2016.....a more and more searched after version........

[schoolboy]

Looks great!

[inadeje]

Hey OP, I have the watch and love it. You know why? Well because its a rare bird, less ubiquitous than other Rolex pieces and certainly a beauty. So, I have had the haters on TRF too but, its only on here. In the real world the watch always brings admiring glances from non watch people. There's also the caveat that Rolex aficionados know its a heavy hitter.

[Ksporty]

Wow, that definitely is a great combination/look for the YM II. Congratulations!

[BigBoy17]

Love the original blue bezel, blue hands. Many hate it because its a large watch and they cant pull it off.

[boredM]

Love it

[Dsmith1974]

I think the newer gold bracelets are less prone to stretch and the case will be less likely to corrode so PM should be more durable than steel (although more likely to scratch and dent but that’s a minor issue).

Love the YM2 no matter what the WIS zeitgeist says. Congrats and enjoy!

[LawMan]

Yours is very nice. I love mine


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[Hypeunot]

Deleted post as realised that it strayed from the topic. Apology to OP.

[Mr_Rolex]

Looking good!


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[watchwatcher]

Great watch.

[ByronB]

I would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who responded for all of the positive comments! I certainly appreciate the support.

TRF is truly an amazing community, and I am proud to be a member. Thanks TRF!

[DtownRRS]

I like it! Good to have a more rare watch. Congrats!

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by DtownRRS

I like it! Good to have a more rare watch. Congrats!

This watch is way above me financially so I don't follow it closely. What did you switch around? Is it a non-ceramic bezel on a later version?

[Vince KSA]

Now that I really like! Great conversion.

Originally Posted by Okami

*****
Another exclusive example........the "Blue Hands" version....discontinued 2016.....a more and more searched after version........

[drthornton]

Awesome Looking Watch! 116689 is my Grail Rolex.

[TheGuvna]

I’d be interested to know what people dislike about it, personally I think it looks great!

[ByronB]

Originally Posted by jlovda

This watch is way above me financially so I don't follow it closely. What did you switch around? Is it a non-ceramic bezel on a later version?

All I did was remove the blue ceramic bezel that came with it and replace it with the platinum bezel that comes on the white gold version (116689) of the same watch. I just personally prefer the look of the platinum bezel over the blue ceramic, so I made the change. The white gold version also has a white gold "ring" around the seconds hand, whereas the stainless versions have a blue ring. The blue ring is precisely what will always distinguish my watch from a white gold version, so it makes my watch unique.

[Vince KSA]

Hi is that your watch, and if you don't mind me asking what is the exact make of this strap? As it really pops!

Originally Posted by Okami

*****
Another exclusive example........the "Blue Hands" version....discontinued 2016.....a more and more searched after version........

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Okami

*****
Another exclusive example........the "Blue Hands" version....discontinued 2016.....a more and more searched after version........

This watch in person is drop dead gorgeous. There isn’t bezel that looks as good as that on a watch. The old style hands are much better. Why Rolex put the mercedes hands on it, it was a bad move in my opinion.

[abozz]

Perfect!!!

Enviado desde mi SM-G975F mediante Tapatalk

[P2725TMB]

I've always appreciated all versions of the YM2 since first seeing them and never understood why it seems to attract such strong negativity. I love mine.

[ByronB]

Originally Posted by TheGuvna

I’d be interested to know what people dislike about it, personally I think it looks great!

Perform a search on this forum for Yacht Master II and I bet that you will be surprised at many of the comments. A few have even stooped so low as to resort to grade-level name calling of this watch, which I believe should be beneath the members of this forum.

[bumbershoot]

Last September I was at a pool in Vegas. There was a watch that was sparkling from literally 50 feet away. I walked closed and it was a YM.

Personally the watch is bold and suits larger wrists like yours. Great watch you have.

[JSolution]

Looks very nice

[ByronB]

Originally Posted by drthornton

Awesome Looking Watch! 116689 is my Grail Rolex.

Thank you, kind Sir! The 116689 has been my Grail Rolex as well since it's introduction. Realizing that a 116689 was not realistic for me was my primary motivation to get a 116680 and swap the bezel. I now have what is essentially (at least visually) the same thing with significantly less invested.

[Likestheshiny]

This watch in person is drop dead gorgeous. There isn’t bezel that looks as good as that on a watch. The old style hands are much better. Why Rolex put the mercedes hands on it, it was a bad move in my opinion.

I agree. I suppose the idea was to make the hands more substantial, since they do come off as a bit small on the original. But I'd much rather have seen bigger versions of the original hands. To my eye, the mercedes hands are too busy for a watch that's already got a lot going on.

Very pretty on the blue rubber strap. The watch also seems less busy when the strap matches that vibrant bezel.

If this were a 41mm watch, I'd consider it. My 6.75" wrists just can't manage the current puck.

[bazin]

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

Hi is that your watch, and if you don't mind me asking what is the exact make of this strap? As it really pops!

Everest strap 21 mm, unfortunately not applicable for the original Rolex clasp.......for which they offer only the 20 mm strap......which possibly could also sufficiently fit.......