rolex deepsea vs yacht master 2

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Introducing The New Rolex Deepsea Is The Same But Also Different

Change – the rolex way..

In the midst of all of its other releases today, Rolex very quietly updated the Rolex Deepsea collection. So quietly, in fact, we almost missed it – almost, but not quite.

At a high level, this is the same Deepsea we know – 44mm of stainless steel on an Oyster bracelet with a Ring-lock indicator on the outer track of the dial. There are two models: One in a black dial configuration, and another in the blue gradient/green text version widely known as the "James Cameron."

So what changed?

The little things. Rolex slimmed down the bezel ever so slightly to feature the chamfered sapphire crystal. The date window has been upsized by eight percent, resulting in the date itself also being larger. The watch continues to feature a titanium caseback – only now it's been renamed RLX titanium. RLX… like Rolex… you get it.

The brand also says that the chroma light display has been optimized and that one major feature has been removed. Gone is the Fliplock dive extension on the bracelet which previously allowed for an extra unsnap of the bracelet to aid in fitting over a wetsuit. Interestingly, this feature is also now gone from the standard 43mm steel Sea-Dweller.

This is perhaps the most Rolex update to any Rolex in the history of Rolex. These are the kinds of incremental changes that show off the brand's penchant for detail-oriented watchmaking. Does an eight percent size increase in the date aperture mean anything to naked eye? Probably not, but the Crown seems to think it does and that's all that matters.

But this is Rolex's most serious dive watch, why would it remove the Fliplock clasp? It would seem that of all the Rolex divers to need a feature like this, it would be the Sea-Dweller and Deepsea, but now it's gone. Maybe Rolex got word that customers weren't using them, maybe this addition made the watch too heavy. The "why"  remains unknown just as the Fliplock remains a thing of the past.

Speaking of lightness, renaming the titanium caseback to RLX Titanium is a pretty amusing fact but ultimately doesn't change much as far as the caseback is concerned.

All in all, this is a marginal change but I like to think it's a change with purpose. What that purpose is, we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, keep an eye on HODINKEE for incoming Hands-On coverage of the new Rolex releases.

Brand: Rolex Model: Deepsea Reference Number: 136660

Diameter: 44mm Thickness: Case Material: Stainless steel and RLX Titanium caseback Dial Color: Black or gradient Indexes: Applied Lume: Yes Water Resistance: 3,900m Strap/Bracelet: Bracelet

Caliber: 3235 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Diameter: 28.5mm Power Reserve: 70 Winding: Automatic Frequency: 4Hz Jewels: 31 Chronometer Certified: Yes

Price: CHF 13,500 Availability: Immediately Limited Edition: No

For more information on the updated Deepsea visit Rolex.  The HODINKEE Shop carries pre-owned Rolex, explore the collection here . 

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Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II.

A detailed comparison on these two luxurious Rolex sport watches.

The Yachtmaster II and Yachtmaster 40mm are both great sports watches especially with professional sailors and yacht racers. They both are classy and sporty at the same time. But what are the key differences and what makes these two watches special in their own way? Have a look below at a detailed description of the differences.

Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II

Let's take a look at one of the latest and most spoken about Rolex Yachtmaster watches, the 116655. This watch is a special watch for many reasons. Namely, this is a historical landmark for Rolex since it is the first Rolex watch to ever use a rubber strap. Most people wouldn't bat an eye at the idea of a Rolex with a rubber strap so why the fuss? This is not any typical rubber strap. Rolex has been raving about this new rubber Oysterflex bracelet which is not only very comfortable to wear, it is also hypoallergenic.

The research and development team at Rolex has engineered a bracelet that is as easy to wear as a rubber bracelet but also holds its shape like a metal bracelet. They do this by using nickel-and-titanium inserts inside the band. They also instituted a patented shape on the inside of the bracelet which has a cushioning system built-in to it which allows the bracelet to take the natural shape of a wrist making the Oysterflex possible the most comfortable rubber watch band. An Oysterlock safety clasp keeps the watch from opening and looks stunning in 18ct Everose gold. Everose gold is a patented 18kt pink gold alloy that is unique to Rolex watches and has been used with all their pink gold oyster cases since 2005.

You'll also find a black matte Cerachrom dial which is a hardened ceramic material that is a tough and highly scratch resistant material that has anticorrosive properties and is impervious to discoloration from exposure to Ultra Violet rays. Perfect for spending your days relaxing on the deck of a luxury yacht.

The dial on the Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 with its cyclops date magnifier could be passed as that of a Submariner if it weren't for all the Everose gold used. You can find this material used on the rims of the index hour markers, the Rolex logo, and luminous filled hands. You won't find rose gold on the dial of any watch in the Submariner series (yet?). The combination of black and Everose gold is a real eye-grabber giving this the look of a really luxurious watch.

What's running inside this stunning watch? The Yacht-Master 40mm runs off an automatic Rolex perpetual movement, the Rolex caliber 3135. This 31 jewel movement beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of about 50 hours.

Rolex Yachtmaster II

At a glance, this watch is an impressive piece of eye-candy with a polished case and two-tone rose gold and stainless steel bracelet. The design used vibrant colors from the blue Cerachrom bezel to the rose gold pushers and patented Triplock crown. The white dial is equally full of harmonic colors with blue steel hour, minute and subdial seconds hands and rose gold and red chronograph hands. A rose gold rimmed sub-dial and applied rose gold rimmed index hour markers tie it all together.

A unique feature of the Yachtmaster II is the regatta chronograph and features the world's first mechanical programmable countdown with a memory. You can accurately sync the watch with the starting sequence of a yacht race.

Unlike most bezels which don't operate as a component of the movement, the easy-to-use and bi-directional Ring Command bezel on the Yachtmaster II operates in conjunction with the regatta chronograph as an integral component of the movement. This bezel is the method in which you can synchronize the countdown timer to the start times of a race. Each time you press the button you can adjust the timer by one-minute increments for up to a 10-minute countdown timer. When you adjust the rotating bezel back to its default middle position, it resets the chronograph back to its main function.

This COSC certified Swiss chronometer is the self-winding caliber 4161 automatic movement beats at 28,800 vph and is completely manufactured by Rolex. This movement features the Rolex antimagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. After receiving a COSC certified chronometer certification, the movement the goes through a thorough in-house chronometric testing once installed into a watch case. Once the watch achieves a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day in the case, it gets a Rolex Superlative Chronometer designation. Even with all these mechanical features, the 31 jewel caliber 4161 movement holds its power for 72 hours.

Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II - Side By Side Comparison

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Overview of the Rolex Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master range encapsulates luxury and precision in a line of nautically inspired timepieces. Introduced in 1992, this Rolex watch borrows heavily from the Submariner series. The original Yacht-Master- the ref. 16628 with a 40mm Yellow Gold case, Cyclops lens over the date, triple lock crown, and Oyster bracelet- was modeled after the first ever Submariner- ref. 16610- which has a 40mm stainless steel case.

They both used the Caliber 3135 movement!

The tool watch gained traction with time, coming in various case, material, and bracelet options, as we shall see shortly. It’s no wonder it’s among Rolex’s most varied pieces in the Professional series.

Meanwhile, Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master II more than a decade later in 2007. It’s a watch tailored to the needs of professional sailors with its innovative regatta chronograph. 

Housed in a more robust 44mm Oyster case, it leveraged Rolex’s expertise in precision and functionality, offering a programmable countdown with mechanical memory for yacht racing. Distinguishing itself from its predecessor, it brought a new level of technical sophistication to the yachting world.

Design Characteristics

The Yacht-Master line portrays the typical design layout of Rolex sports watches, with an Oyster case (that’s water-resistant to 100m), a Twin-lock winding crown on the side of the case for setting the time and date and winding the movement manually, lume-filled Mercedes-style hands and hour markers, and a date function at three o’clock that’s amplified by a Cyclops magnifier lens on the crystal.

On the other hand, the Yacht-Master II takes on a more daring design, featuring a larger Oyster case (water-resistant to 100m) with a Triplock winding crown and chronograph pushers for operating the regatta chronograph, a busier dial with a programmable countdown feature (1 to 10 minutes), and a special Ring Command bezel that’s also present in Rolex’s Sky-Dweller collection .

Interestingly, the Yacht-Master II and Sky-Dweller are some of Rolex’s most complicated watches for now.

The Yacht-Master comes in various case options, namely 29mm (discontinued), 35mm (discontinued), 37mm (Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 268621), 40mm (Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 126622), and 42mm (Rolex Yacht-Master Oysterflex ref. 226659).

In terms of materials, Rolex has utilized several precious metals in the collection:

• Yellow Gold
• Stainless steel and Yellow Gold (Yellow Rolesor)
• Stainless steel with a Platinum bezel (Rolesium)
• Everose Gold (a patented proprietary Rose Gold alloy)
• Stainless steel and Everose Gold (Everose Rolesor)

In contrast, the Yacht-Master II is only available in a 44mm case size. It’s available in fewer material alternatives:

• Stainless steel with a blue ceramic Cerachrom bezel
• Stainless steel and Everose Gold with a blue ceramic Cerachrom bezel
• White Gold with a Platinum bezel (discontinued)
• Yellow gold with a blue Cerachrom bezel

Bezels 

The two watches have a bidirectional rotatable bezel that’s integral for tracking sailing time intervals. The difference comes in their designs.

The Yacht-Master has a bezel crafted from gold or platinum. This rotating bezel has raised numerals and 60-minute graduations. Plus, it operates independently from the watch’s inner mechanism.

The Yacht-Master offers a more noticeable Ring Command bezel with the ‘YACHT-MASTER II’ inscription and molded 1-10 numerals in varying colors depending on the materials used. The Yacht-Master II’s bezel is connected to the movement, and its wearers use it to operate the regatta chronograph function.

The watches’ dials are well-suited for their respective purposes. 

The Yacht-Master has a simpler dial design, with Mercedes-style hands and round/triangle/rectangle or gem-set hour markers. Rolex has used several luminous materials on these excellent luxury watches over the years:

• SuperLumiNova
• Chromalight

The Yacht-Master II has a more detailed and functional dial with slimmer hands decorated with Chromalight lume, a red arrow-tipped hand, a central chronograph hand, square-shaped hour markers, a countdown function with mechanical memory that gracefully curves from 8 to 4 o’clock, and a running seconds subdial at 6 o’clock.

The red arrow-tipped hand shows how much time is left in the countdown. Meanwhile, the central chronograph hand can fly back or fly forward to its starting position while in motion, and the countdown function allows skippers to sync it on the fly to match the official race countdown (it’s the first in the world, BTW).

Note: The Yacht-Master II had square hour markers and straight baton-shaped hands from 2007 to 2017. 

2017 welcomed several changes: an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock, a rectangular hour marker at six o’clock, and a Mercedes-style hour hand to offer more lume and enable easier differentiation from the minute hand.

Bracelets and Clasps

Rolex equips the Yacht-Master with Oyster and Oysterflex bracelets. The three-piece Oyster offers classic luxury and sturdy comfort and is finished with a high polish or brushed look. It also has a secure Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system that ensures the watch remains fastened around the wrist.

As for the Oysterflex bracelet , it’s a black strap crafted from a flexible Titanium and nickel alloy metal blade at its core and is clad in a high-density elastomer. It also boasts a tiered design that raises the timepiece away from the wrist and a Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system.

The YachtMaster II also features an Oyster bracelet, typically equipped with the Rolex Glidelock system, allowing fine adjustments and reflecting its more technical and sporty heritage.

Caliber Comparison

The Rolex Yacht-Master lineup features various movements, with the Yacht-Master 37mm housing a self-winding Caliber 2236 movement, the same movement used in Datejust 36 and Datejust 41 timepieces . It has 31 jewels, a 55-hour power reserve, and a 28,800vph frequency. 

Meanwhile, the 40mm and 42mm watches utilize the Caliber 3235, a well-respected automatic movement recognized for its reliability. This 31-jewel movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. 

In contrast, the Yacht-Master II is equipped with the self-winding Caliber 4161, a chronograph movement specifically developed for this model’s unique regatta countdown function. It has 48 jewels, a 72-hour power reserve, and a 28,800vph frequency.

Technical Details at a Glance

The following table highlights the specifications of both watches discussed above and more:

When comparing the Rolex Yacht-Master and the Yacht-Master II, consumers frequently have questions regarding their differences, pricing, availability, and rarity. The following subsections aim to address these common inquiries.

Yacht-Master

Staying on course, mapping invisible routes.

For those at sea, staying on course is a constant challenge. When dealing with the elements, nothing is certain and constant reaction is required to stay in the right direction. Since its launch in 1992, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master has been equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel that facilitates the calculation and reading of navigational time. Elegantly combining functionality and nautical style, this watch has made its mark well beyond its professional realm.

A shared quest for precision

Knowing where you are in space and time, setting a course and sticking to it are vital in navigation. Given its function, the watch is an essential tool for sailors to assess their position. Regarded as the most precise horological instruments in the world, marine chronometers have been certified by astronomical observatories since the 18th century. At the time, the ultimate authority for measuring chronometric precision was the Kew Observatory in Great Britain.

In 1914, the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, had one of the brand’s watches tested by this very observatory, which certified it as a chronometer: a first in the watchmaking world for a wristwatch. Since then, renowned sailors, such as Sir Francis Chichester and Bernard Moitessier, have navigated the seas with Rolex wristwatches serving as onboard chronometers.

Matching the precision of marine chronometers was fundamental to Rolex’s watchmaking.

Designed for navigators

Sailing occupies a special place in the world of Rolex. In 1958, the brand partnered the New York Yacht Club, creator of the legendary America’s Cup. Rolex then formed partnerships with several prestigious yacht clubs around the world and became associated with major nautical events – offshore races and coastal regattas.

These strong ties culminated in 1992 with the launch of the Yacht-Master. Boasting the robustness and waterproofness of our Oyster case, this chronometer is fitted with a bidirectional bezel with raised 60-minute graduations to enable navigational time to be calculated and read.

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Precious on land and at sea

Available in three diameters – 37, 40 and 42 mm – and in various precious versions – 18 ct yellow, white and Everose gold – as well as in Everose Rolesor and Rolesium versions, the Yacht-Master is unique in the world of Rolex professional watches. An elegant watch with a sporty character, it was the first to be paired with an Oysterflex bracelet in 2015.

In 2023, after testing under real-life conditions by acclaimed helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie, Rolex launched a new version of the Yacht-Master 42. It is made of RLX titanium, a high-performance material, at once light, robust and corrosion resistant.

A veritable ally at sea, the Yacht-Master also elegantly adorns the wrists of navigators once back on solid ground. With many different versions, it is a model that transcends its seafaring origins. It has become a watch for those who know how to change course without losing sight of the horizon, moving freely.

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, yellow gold.

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Rolex Deepsea or Rolex Yacht-Master?

Yacht-master.

• Total voters 14
• Poll closed Oct 24, 2020 .

Rolex Deepsea [126660] or Rolex Yacht-Master 40 [126622]?

• Add to quote

Completely different watches but if it was me I’d prefer the blue dial Yachtmaster as a gift. The case is slimmer, it is more comfortable to wear, 40mm fits me better and yet it is a legitimate tool, despite what some people might say. I love the Sea Dweller and own a 16600 but the 126660 at 44mm would be pushing it for me fit wise. Couldn’t advise you on which one might have to contribute cash in a trade.  

Depends on your wearing habits I would say ie in a rotation or a daily wearer. I love big watches but that seadweller is a monster. The Pelagos gets a lot of stick for too much writing but the DSSD has to be a contender for most writing on a watch. Pretty cool watch though but I would only have one in a rotation. No way could I wear one all the time. So my vote is YM. Its a much nicer fit for a daily wearer and more versatile for work/play attire. Goes under cuffs better and can be dressed down (just about) with jeans and fine on the beach. My only worry with the YM though is the bling factor. In sunlight its really really sparkly. Looks lovely but it really stands out which may or may not be an issue for you. Ive never bothered about wearing a nice watch in dodgy areas or even more upmarket areas like mayfair etc but in recent years im becoming more and more aware of watch crime so im a little more cautious and the YM is a watch that could easily attract the wrong sort of attention. As to trade value its a difficult one. In my area the YM isnt hard to get but out of the Rolex dive range its the DSSD that seems to pop up in windows more so theyre probably on a par so any cash changing hands wouldnt be a great deal.  

aparezco said: If you had the option to receive the Rolex Deepsea Black Dial [126660] or the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Blue Dial [126622] as a gift , which watch would you pick and why? Click to expand...

aparezco said: - Additional question: In a trade with both of these watches, what side of the trade do you think should add money to the trade, and how much (if any) assuming both watches are in unworn condition and purchased the same day? Click to expand...

I tried on both at the AD and left with the YM (rhodium dial). I thought the size of the DSSD looked foolish on my 7 1/2” wrist. The YM fits me perfectly. I know a lot of people on the interwebs say the YM is blingy, but I don’t think it really reflects any more light than the black ceramic bezels. Good luck with your decision.  

I have tried on the Deepsea & it was too big & heavy for me so my choice would be the Yachtmaster. I think trade wise they are very similar in price.  

Deepsea is a nice heavy piece, that I would prefer. Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk  

aparezco said: If you had the option to receive the Rolex Deepsea Black Dial [126660] or the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Blue Dial [126622] as a gift , which watch would you pick and why? - Additional question: In a trade with both of these watches, what side of the trade do you think should add money to the trade, and how much (if any) assuming both watches are in unworn condition and purchased the same day? Click to expand...

• I have enough dive watches and the DSSD is too much of a dive watch and I won't ever be going 4,000 ft deep.
• I think it is time I had a coloured dial and the red lettering and red seconds hand is beautiful.
• unique Rolex model which is rare in the wild.

The YM in blue. It's a beautiful watch in person and the red hand adds some pop. And, for all of the pro opinions above. WEARABILITY being the greatest factor. Unless you're in the 8" plus wrist category, that DSSD will become a brick. If you happen to be, that YM might feel too small for you. Looks like PF was kind enough to do some of the work for you! Only remaining question, if you want more precise advice, is to offer your wrist size for comparison.  

Just come out and ask the real question brother  

What according to you is the real question? This is a hypothetical scenario for the sake of discussion.  

I like both, but would probably opt for the deep sea.  

they are really far apart but almost coincide in price. I found the DS massive on the wrist. I am surprised I got a good fit but it really did not suit me. the YM is kind of expensive, but actually nice to purchase used/mint. Its more rounded case (compared to other 40mm offerings from the brand) is growing on me. Now if you made a comparison between the SD43 and the Yachtmaster, it would be a tougher choice, since it is more wearable.  

I'd pick the YM. It's a versatile dressy sports watch. It's also very comfortable, it's only 12mm thick and has a stylish case profile. The smooth bidirectional bezel is handy to easily time all sorts of short events, more so than a unidirectional bezel. I like the platinum bezel and the blue dial. A classy piece yet it's part of the professional line. That's a cool combination of attributes right there. Easy to sell if you decide to do so privately. There are several things I don't like about the Deepsea: thickness, weight, ring lock, small dial compared to case. When it comes to badass divers, I much prefer the SD43 and other non-Rolex pieces. The Deepsea is very niche, not many people can wear it. You'll struggle to sell it, unless you trade it in at a reseller.  

I love the YM bezel! And the SDDS is really too chunky. Difficult to wear, in my opinion.  

The Yachmaster is more original and more rare i think  

Agreed. Subs are everywhere so I'd go for the YM over the deep sea because its a different look. And the deep sea is just too big for my liking  

YM without question. the DS is gigantic and generally unwearable as a daily.  

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Rolex Yacht-Master II vs. Rolex Sky-Dweller Comparison

Although they are by far the two most complicated watches in Rolex’s current lineup, on the face of it, the Sky-Dweller and the Yacht-Master II wouldn’t seem to have that much in common. Certainly, as far as the visuals are concerned, there is a world of difference. One is elegantly understated, the other just about as in-your-face as anything in the portfolio. However, once you get away from the aesthetics, the pair of watches actually share a number of similarities. Below we examine each model, and explore what makes them both rather special additions to the Rolex lineup.

Rolex Complications

Rolex has built much of its unassailable reputation by producing watches that are stylish, elegant, robust, and most of all, mechanically simple. Aside from the Daytona’s chronograph complication, as far as Rolex’s main production models are concerned, a GMT function or the President’s double calendar is really as complicated as the brand has ever gotten.

Dig back far enough into the archives and you will find a moonphase model from the 1950s (now resurrected in the Cellini line) but apart from that, for the first century in business, Rolex has really been perfecting the art of the simple three-hand time teller, with perhaps a date display if you’re lucky.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II

That all changed in 2007, when Rolex launched the sequel to the original Yacht-Master, and brought us the inventively titled Yacht-Master II. Identical to its sibling in no way whatsoever, the Yacht-Master II (sometimes referred to as the Yacht-Master 2 or YMII) was as radical a departure from the usually conservative Rolex playbook as you could get.

At 44mm, it was easily the largest watch in the collection, and was a big, bold attention-grabber marketed at a particularly niche section of the buying public. Shouting its name in huge letters across the bezel, and given a mishmash of elements on its dial, there was no chance of it going unnoticed. It was released in two variants initially, the ref. 116689 in white gold was the slightly more underplayed (and expensive) of the pair, while the ref. 116688 in yellow gold with a bright blue Cerachrom bezel was the real grandstander.

Inside both, the Cal. 4160 was a heavily reworked version of the Daytona’s Cal. 4130, and it powered the industry’s first programmable flyback or fly-forward regatta timer with a mechanical memory. What would you possibly ever need one of those for? Well, the clue is very much in the name, with the watch built explicitly for the world’s competitive yacht-racing crowd.

Rolex has been involved in the impossibly glamorous sport of professional sailing for decades, sponsoring some of the highest profile events around the globe, including the Rolex Fastnet and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It was to help captains of the ships in these races overcome the timing challenges of regatta competitions that the Yacht-Master II’s very specific complication was invented.

Each contest begins with a countdown to the starting gun, usually between five and 10 minutes long, during which the boats must tack back and forth behind the start line. The watch’s timer allows the wearer to set that duration on the dial as a normal method but, crucially, also gives the ability to resynchronize it with the official clock if it is accidentally started too early or late. In addition, instead of a typical flyback, the Yacht-Master II resets itself forward or backwards to the nearest minute rather than to zero.

The complex operations require not only two pushers either side of the winding crown, but also the first generation of Rolex’s Ring Command Bezel, which links the outer bezel of the watch directly to the internal movement. The bezel on the Yacht-Master II serves as a form of analogue on/off switch, locking and unlocking the various features, to facilitate the setting process for the countdown timer.

Since the original launch of the Yacht-Master II collection, the range has expanded to include a two-tone Everose Rolesor edition and an all stainless steel piece, both fitted with blue Cerachom bezels. In 2013, the Yacht-Master II got an update to its movement in the form of the Cal. 4161. An evolution of the Cal. 4160 that contains 360 components and took Rolex over 35,000 hours to devise.

Although no one was in any doubt that the watch was an impressive technical achievement, the aesthetics split opinions. There was none of the subtlety that traditionalists have long valued with Rolex, with the face made up of an unusual set of features – a small seconds sub dial at the bottom and a horseshoe-shaped counter around the top, numbered 1 to 10 for the regatta countdown, along with an arrow-tipped additional hand.

However, as with many offerings from the brand, the Yacht-Master II’s looks have found their footing over time, and the watch has become more and more accepted. Today, although not worn by that many skippers (in the same way Rolex’s dive watches rarely see the ocean) the Yacht-Master II has certainly found an appreciative audience beyond its intended boat-racing market.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller 

Even though you would never guess from its appearance, the Sky-Dweller is an even more complex beast than the Yacht-Master II. Its graceful silhouette and fluted bezel land it firmly in dress watch territory, and at first glance it could be mistaken for a Datejust or Day-Date. However, look closer and you see the dial has far more information to tell us than either of those classic pieces, and it actually does what no other Rolex watch ever has.

As well as a date function at the standard three o’clock position, the rotating off-centered disc is a new take on a dual time zone display, and expertly hidden is the brand’s first ever annual calendar. To cram all that in on a watch with no additional buttons to ruin the symmetry of the case is little short of amazing, and involves an updated version of Rolex’s Ring Command Bezel. This time, instead of just allowing the functions to be turned on and off like on the Yacht-Master II, the Sky-Dweller’s three-position bezel selects each individual operation as you rotate it, and all settings and adjustments are done with just the winding crown.

First released in 2012, the Sky-Dweller was originally only available in all precious metal; either yellow gold, Everose gold, or white gold. The hefty price tags attached to each, coupled with the somewhat unorthodox looks, meant that the watch failed to catch on at the beginning. Three more versions followed in 2014, with a changeup of dial color and bracelet options, but they were still pricey, solid-gold affairs.

It was only in 2017 that the first two-tone and stainless steel models arrived (albeit with an 18k white gold bezel), with a corresponding drop in price, bringing the Sky-Dweller within reach of a wider audience and starting it on its journey towards its current highly desirable status. All iterations are driven by another massively complex movement, in this case the Cal. 9001. Made up of 380 parts, it is the most component-heavy caliber Rolex has made and powers not only the standard functions and the GMT, but also the annual calendar, a system that the brand calls SAROS.

Like all annual calendars, the Sky-Dweller’s date only needs correcting once a year, at the end of February. At all other times, the mechanism compensates for the different number of days in the month. And the way it presents the month display for the complication is also unique: above each of the 12 hour markers is a small aperture, used to represent the month of the year. The current one is filled in in a solid color – so a blocked out window above the six o’clock signifies June, over the seven is for July, etc. It is a superbly economical way of doing things, and allows for a far more uncluttered display than would otherwise be possible.

The GMT function is likewise a novel experience. The small inner disc does away with the need for an extra hand as on the GMT-Master or Explorer II. Instead, it is simply marked with a 24-hour scale and rotates to show the correct time at the top, which is indicated by a small triangle. All told, the Sky-Dweller adds up to one of the most complete and impressive luxury traveler’s watches presently on offer.

Yacht-Master II vs. Sky-Dweller

So we have two pretty extraordinary watches, each designed for a definite purpose, and containing technology unseen anywhere else in the brand’s collection. One is a born showman, the other quietly sophisticated, but both do their respective jobs extremely well.

Is there a case for calling one better than the other? Like all these things, is it completely subjective. Yes, the chances are that you will rarely (if ever) use the Yacht-Master II’s party piece for its intended purpose. However, the countdown timer can still be used for timing anything else (just as long it doesn’t take more than 10 minutes). Additionally, it is a quirky, imposing, supersized watch that is guaranteed to get you seen.

The Sky-Dweller, on the other hand, wins out in day-to-day usability, with the annual calendar one of the most valued complications a watch can have, and the GMT functionality perfect for jet-setters or frequent travelers. At 42mm, it is also slightly more compact than the Yacht-Master II, and can be worn with a wider selection of outfits. The model you choose will always come down to personal taste, but it is reassuring to know both come from just about the finest watchmaker on the planet, and have an engineering virtuosity that is second to none.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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