Before we get to my Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 review, we need some background. In 1992 Rolex introduced a watch that shared the silhouette of their beloved Submariner but in solid 18k yellow gold, embossed YG bezel insert soldered to the bezel, funky white dial, and the unusual name “Yacht-Master” written where “Submariner” would normally live. People then and now still wonder.. “Why?”.

Rumor has it Rolex wanted to drastically update the Submariner but were scared that the changes were too extreme. The Submariner was essentially their poster child and arguably their most iconic watch. Fearing backlash, they created a whole new line. Rolex rarely creates completely new watches, the last time they made a new watch before the Rolex Yacht-Master was in 1964 when the Daytona was introduced. Luckily it paid off as the Yacht-Master was pretty well received!

Even though the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 at first glance looks very similar to the Submariner it’s a totally different wearing experience. The case shape is completely different from the Sub. Its case profile is composed of compound curves with the lugs swooping downwards very similar to a Daytona, the case is also fully polished. My particular Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 being Roleisum (Rolex’s term for the combination of Platinum and Steel which was first introduced in 1999 with the ref. 16622), in combination with the blue sunburst dial and red accents, gives it such a unique aesthetic it sets it apart in Rolex’s catalog. Rolex I think perfected their blue dials, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Pictures do not do it justice whatsoever. In person, it appears much darker, almost black however in direct light that’s when the striking blue hue pops. The date function is also very convenient!

What is it like to wear a Rolex Yacht-Master? I would describe it as the most comfortable and stressful watch I have ever worn and owned. What most people don’t realize is that it’s a thin watch and I mean THIN. At 11.5mm it’s just as thin or even thinner than a 34mm 114200 Air-King! Like what? The case hugs your wrist amazingly while the oyster bracelet seems to caress you. It makes you want to wear it every single day, I mean how could you not? Thin, sporty, beautiful, comfortable and low key a strap monster. Until you see a scratch or nick on the solid Platinum bezel insert, call up Rolex Service Center to see how much it would be to replace it and they slap you in the face with a $2500 (before taxes) quote for JUST the bezel/bezel insert assembly (they’re soldered together remember?). Then you think “Okay, okay which Seiko’s do I sell to cover the cost of a freaking bezel”. Did I mention the case is fully polished?

Has this ever happened to me? No, because I’m extremely OCD, however I was curious and called RSC, I also used to own the 16622 and was trained to wear long sleeves only, only wear it sparingly, cover my wrist when walking through doorways, never let it touch denim (yes, denim will scratch it apparently), and for all I know never sneeze near it or even look at it too long because for all I know that could probably scratch it too. To top it all off, of COURSE the bracelet and clasp has Polished Center Links! While I am exaggerating the fragility of the Rolex Yacht-Master, the stress of potentially scuffing it is real.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 is arguably one of my favorite watches ever made. I never thought I’d ever get to own one. It’s beautiful, ridiculously comfortable, relatively uncommon, however so stressful to wear. I have owned it for almost exactly one year and I personally try to enjoy every second I wear it; I even strap changed it with zero scuffs! I have and I do but my OCD and extreme caution lends itself to be a difficult one to fully appreciate without worry. I’ve debated if this watch was right for me all the time. However, I would recommend this watch to anyone minutely interested. I have no regrets having owned two of them like an insane person, but who in the watch collecting world isn’t insane?