Rolex Yacht-Master REF 16622 - Was it someone that mention Yachtmaster?............

Feb 05, 2013,15:01 PM
 

ROLEX YACHT-MASTER REF 16622

 

The reference 16622 YachtMaster is made in SS and Platinum is just a little different and a unique Rolex watch.

 

It looks a little different than a diver watch and it´s a little big to call dress watch. In my opinion you can use it to both.

 

 It have the TripLock crown who is good enough down to 1220 meters but because the

YachtMaster is not a diver watch it´s only rated to 100 meters. The TripLock crown

 get a nicer balance and it´s easier to handle than the TvinLock crown when the watch

have crown guards.

 

The crown guards have a more rounded shape than the Submariner.

 

 YachtMaster was the first Rolex with the big index´s, later called MaxiDial at the Submariner

with green bezel insert. The dial is made of Platinum and the YachtMaster is written in red.

YachtMaster even have a little bigger hands than the other Rolex´s except the Submariner

with MaxiDial. The red second hand just stand out in a nice way.

 

The bezel and the insert is made in Platinum with raised mirror polished numbers.

YachtMaster have SEL (solid end links) and the center links are mirror polished.

 

The center links are solid and not hollow like they use to be, so that means the bracelet

now are just so good as a Invicta bracelet. LOL

 

The clasp is a little different too, the raised crown is at the secure lock and not at the clasp like it use to be.

 

The YachtMaster even have a unique case with a more curved lugs than the other Rolex case.

In my opinion this looks really nice and give the case a better balance.

 

The backside of the lugs looks different too, notice the end of the lug.

 

The SuperLuminova do a great work as it use to do.

 

Inside the watch it looks just like it use to do, cal 3135 not looks like a Patek but it will serve you for many years.

 

This watch is awesome in my opinion and it looks better in the real world because it´s hard to get it justice with a camera.

 

Now it´s time to put a Daytona clasp to my Yacht-Master.

Here is the parts.

 

And the extra micro adjustment link.

 

Mmmm nice.

 

Ok we open it up and take a look.

 

The solid part who don´t looks like a regular clasp.

 

And the extra springbar who secure the extra lock.

 

 

Ok I have to pull off the orginal clasp at the Yacht-Master so we can compare then

side by side.

 

 

 

 

 

Then I have to put it on and I have to pull off a link at the bracelet and put it at the

other side to get the clasp in the center of the bracelet. From the start the removable

links at the bracelet only is at one side. Here is the result.

 

 

The secure lock feels real smooth and it looks real nice and clean when it´s closed.

 

Platinum or not?

 

There have been a lot of discussions about the SS/Platinum YACHT-MASTER

if some of the parts is solid Platinum or not. Then I decide to get a little

deeper at this topic and try to clear things out.

 

Here is what I got at the table.

 

 

So now it´s just to pull off the bezel.

 

 

This was a tricky one.

 

 

But hard work will win.

 

 

So we take a close look at the bezel and it should be 2 pieces.

 

 

Here is the backside.

 

 

Closer.

 

 

Closer.

 

 

And even closer.

 

 

I talk to a guy at Rolex Geneva at the phone and he told me the bezel is

made in 2 pieces but only Rolex can separate them with a special machine

when they refresh the bezel. The outer bezel is mirror polished and the

insert is blasted with polished numbers and sticks. Both parts are made

in solid Platinum but I can´t find a hallmark. Maybe it´s one the inserts

backside but that will I not try to check, it´s just a guess.

 

 

Here I weight the complete bezel and it says 10 grams.

 

 

And a Submariner bezel in SS says 4 grams.

 

 

And both says 14 grams.

 

 

Now we have to get inside the watch and made some more observations.

 

 

Caliber 3135 just as it should be.

 

 

So we get a little closer.

 

 

Ans pull off the hands.

 

 

No hallmars here either some says it´s Platinum but I will say white gold.

And I will say it´s whithe gold at the index surrounds at the dial too, but

I can be wrong with that.

 

 

So we pull off the dial too.

 

 

And the backcase says ROLEX 2 and PT 950

 

 

The guy at Rolex says the dial have only a Platinum surface but I will

say that is not correct. The dial is made in solid Platinum in my opinion.

If I should guess so have the guy mixed things up here and maybe he

 have thinking of rhodium instead of rolesium. Rolex watches with

a rhodium dial is not a solid dial, it´s only a rhodium surface.

 

At the next project we start to pull off the backcase at the Yachtmaster.

Then we start to do some serious work.

Out with the heart.

And next step is to pull out a new one. Parachrome, me like.

There we go with the balance at the balance bridge.

It looks ok to me.

After a perfect adjustment it's spot on.

So I have to pull out a glassback so I can enjoy the movement.

And finally we start to pull off the bracelet.

Then the backcase

After that so will the crown and the rotor go off

There we go.

Now we will pull off the hands.

The old fashion way.

There we go.

Then the dial.

And what did we found.

Some new parts, he are very careful, he even use the loupe when he open the envelop. LOL

Me like.

I guess this will be very nice.

Or what?

Back with the dial.

And the hands.

Line up perfect.

And the final result.


This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-02-07 15:34:36 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-02-10 02:11:14


More posts: 166223135Bubble BackDaytonaSubmarinerYacht Master

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Comments: view entire thread

 

You know I am not very keen on some tuning when it comes to watches.

 
 By: amanico : February 5th, 2013-15:50
BUT I have to say that the red date is a gorgeous idea! In fact, it should definitely be like that, in my opinion. As for your observations on the platinum parts of the YM, thank you very much. It is said that the Pt parts are the bezel and the dial. we h... 

Enjoyed that. Thanks! :) [nt]

 
 By: fernando : February 5th, 2013-20:18

Ultra thorough!

 
 By: sham1 : February 7th, 2013-00:00
What a review! To the point of disecting the watch and putting it all back perfectly together! I must say this is the only Rolex I like with its combination of stainless steel and platinum and your article has reaffirmed this. Thanks again and keep up the... 

Thank you, great pictures. I agree about the YM...

 
 By: SteveW : February 6th, 2013-08:14
...it's my favorite Rolex. Don't agree about the new Daytona-style clasp though. Seems a bit thick and unwieldy to me, and reduces the amount of adjustment you can make.

Fabulous Jocke, superb pictures too, as usual.....

 
 By: Sandgroper : February 6th, 2013-23:57
does the new balance wheel with Parachrome improve the accuracy? I love the red date it gives the watch more dynamic, perhaps Rolex could propose different "options", either way this is a little like changing the normal tyres on your car for wider ones or... 

Excellent post!

 
 By: radone : February 7th, 2013-00:07
Thank you! Now, I was a Yacht Master just like yours! R

Wow excellent post

 
 By: nautilus : February 7th, 2013-04:45
I used to own the platinum yachtmaster and always wondered just how much of the bezel was actually platinum!

Thank you very mucht for this posting.

 
 By: Bobbe : February 7th, 2013-10:42
Great review and pictures. Love the red date !

Wow, excellent post.

 
 By: VMM : February 7th, 2013-13:31
This is one of the most interesting and nice post I've ever read. All the upgrades and mods you have done to it look fantastic to me, congrats. Love that Genta on your wrist. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Vte :)

Thank you..........

 
 By: Topcat30093 : February 8th, 2013-12:16
In the past I was never a fan of the Yacht Master. But your report has enlightened me and increased my view of it. And like others, I like very much your improvements :) Thanks Jocke

LOL, I thought you were the watchmaker. :)

 
 By: VMM : February 8th, 2013-23:25
I was amazed by your skills. Well, still amazed. cheers Vte :)

Thank you, Jocke.

 
 By: Zdenek : February 8th, 2013-10:22
Great post and nice pictures, too.

Thank you all for the kind words..........

 
 By: Jocke - Bad Santa : February 8th, 2013-16:56
I just put together some old pics to show my views about the watch and what I've done to it. I'm happy you like it.

A question for you, Jocke. Do you happen to know when the Pt model was released?

 
 By: amanico : February 8th, 2013-22:51
The YM was first introduced in gold ( 1992 ), but much later in Pt.... 1997? I think it arrived even later in France ( 1999 ). Best, Nicolas

AWESOME photos as always Jocke..

 
 By: ocwatching : February 22nd, 2013-08:51
and love the modifications to the YM! I just been offered one from my AD..I may have to revisit...

Bite the bullet!!!

 
 By: AlexSunrise : February 22nd, 2013-12:37
Lol! Hi, Phil, Which one are you considering? Blue dial or the platinum one? Have a great weekend, Alex

That Yachtmaster

 
 By: The Old Man : March 23rd, 2013-09:51
Brilliant Jocke!. It confirms that I did right buying mine which was new in 2002 (case made 2000) second hand pristine in 2006. Albeit that my partner borrows it as it it the 35mm . Superb watchmaking. Brilliant strip down so well photographed and explain...