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Oyster Perpetual
High-flying, mastering travel time.
The Oyster Perpetual Sky‑Dweller was designed for those continually travelling the globe. Featuring our Saros annual calendar and Ring Command system, it simultaneously indicates two time zones, as well as the date and month, and allows them to be adjusted with one simple gesture. Since its creation in 2012, the Sky‑Dweller has been an invaluable tool for avoiding the pitfalls of time differences and making it possible to plan ahead. With this technical and elegant watch, wherever you travel, you are in sync with the world.
Crossing meridians as if they were invisible borders.
Featuring an intuitive and revolutionary system to adjust the functions, the Sky-Dweller meets the needs of those moving from one time zone to another. While displaying the local time using the central hands, its dial presents a 24-hour graduated off-centre rotating disc, making it possible to read the time in a second time zone or reference time. Date and month, hours, minutes, seconds and second time zone: all these features, visible at a glance, are essential points of reference for world travellers.
Immensely innovative, the Sky‑Dweller combines mechanical sophistication with an original display.
Specially developed for the Sky‑Dweller, our patented Saros annual calendar is a key element in the model’s identity. The name of this mechanism, with its innovative design, is inspired by the Greek term denoting the cycle of lunar and solar eclipses. The Saros calendar requires only one date adjustment a year, when February turns to March. It is intuitive and simple to read. The current month is indicated in red in one of the dozen windows that punctuate the hour markers around the circumference of the dial.
An emblematic design, an exclusive feature.
Reflecting the sun’s rays at the slightest movement of the wrist with its multiple facets, the fluted bezel – a signature aesthetic of some of our Classic watches – is given an exclusive function here with the Ring Command system. This mechanical device offers easy access to the Sky-Dweller’s settings. Thanks to the interaction between the rotatable bezel, winding crown and movement, it is possible to choose the functions and set them rapidly and securely. Simply turn the bezel counterclockwise to choose, notch by notch, the calendar – date and month, the local or reference time – before adjusting them with the crown.
See the world in a new light, in every place and time.
The Sky-Dweller is an elegant, technically sophisticated watch. It is aimed at those who see the world as a single territory, without borders, in which barriers disappear. It allows travellers to avoid the pitfalls of time differences and always stay one step ahead. From the moment they disembark, they are ready to start new ventures.
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.
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.
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.
Have a question about a watch call us at 1-800-470-2343 or 1-845-357-8300.
Rolex | Rolex | |
Yacht-Master II 44mm | Yacht-Master 40mm | |
116681 White | 116655 | |
Mens | Mens | |
Stainless Steel & Rose Gold | 18kt Everose Gold | |
White | Black | |
Stainless Steel & Rose Gold | Rubber | |
Folding Clasp With Safety Latch | 18 kt Everose® gold Oysterlock safety clasp | |
Automatic | Automatic | |
Bi-Directional Rotating | Bi-Directional Rotating | |
Scratch Resistant Sapphire | Scratch Resistant Sapphire | |
Solid | Solid | |
100m/330ft | 100m/330ft | |
44mm | 40mm | |
Regatta Chronograph | ||
Prestige Time 5 Year Warranty | Prestige Time 5 Year Warranty | |
Browse | Browse |
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The Daytona is, without a doubt, Rolex’s most famous chronograph model. However, it is sometimes overlooked that a Rolex does, in fact, manufacture another chronograph collection – the Yacht-Master II. While both are technically chronograph watches, they are actually very different timepieces, both inside and out. Today we will be comparing the brand’s duo of contemporary chronograph models, the Rolex Daytona vs. Yacht-Master II.
So, how do these two Rolex chronograph watches differ when it comes to their designs and functionality? Let’s find out as we review these stylish used Rolex watch models .
Rolex first unleashed the Cosmograph Daytona in 1963 as a chronograph dedicated to motorsports. However, as manually-wound models with 38mm cases, vintage Daytona watches are significantly different from the versions of today. It was only in 2000 that we saw the first iterations of today’s Daytona models; that is to say, 40mm watches that run on in-house automatic chronograph movements.
These editions of the Rolex Daytona collection carry six-digit reference numbers and are powered by the Caliber 4130. Prior to this generation, there were the five-digit Daytona models fitted with Rolex-modified, Zenith El Primero automatic movements, which were produced from 1988 until 2000.
In total, the Daytona utilizes three different generations of movements. First was the hand-wound generation, followed by the automatic Zenith generation, and then the automatic in-house Rolex caliber 4130. The collection has one of the most intriguing histories on the market, spanning decades and producing countless design variations, and even the famous Paul Newman Daytona that fetched one of the highest sums on the secondary market of nearly $18 million.
On the other hand, the Yacht-Master II is a relatively new Rolex model, having made its debut in 2007. What’s more, when it was released, the Yacht-Master II was Rolex’s largest watch, sporting a 44mm case. As its name implies, the Rolex Yacht-Master II was developed for the sailing crowd, rather than the automobile racing crew. In addition to its over-the-top case size and design, the Yacht-Master II was also the brand’s most complex watch (until the introduction of the Sky-Dweller in 2012), equipped with a regatta chronograph, complete with mechanical memory and fly-back functionality for facilitated synchronization.
The Daytona’s 40mm case comes fitted with a pair of screw-down chronograph pushers flanking its screw-down winding crown. This is to keep any moisture out of the watch, ensuring its 100-meter water resistance. The fixed bezels of the Daytona watches – crafted from either metal or Cerachrom (ceramic) – are engraved with a tachymeter scale (except for the gem-set bezel editions), while the dials house a trio of subsidiary registers.
In true Rolex fashion, there are plenty of different dial colors and index styles to choose from. Material options within the six-digit Daytona family include stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold, two-tone steel and yellow gold, and platinum. Most Daytona models come with metal Oyster bracelets however, there are some gold Daytona watches that are presented on black rubber Oysterflex bracelets as well. Rolex previously manufactured leather-strap versions but they are no longer in production.
In direct contrast to the Daytona’s classic looks and restrained proportions, the Yacht-Master II is proudly big, bold, and badass. Its bezel – either in bright blue Cerachrom (ceramic) or platinum – sits on the 44mm case and is emblazoned with the “YACHT-MASTER II” name, along with numbers 1 – 10. The white dial with red and blue accents offers three distinct areas for three readings: the center hands, the 10-minute countdown display, and the running seconds sub-dial.
Early editions of the Yacht-Master II included straight hour and minute hands until around 2017, while current versions have the familiar Mercedes-style hands. The hour markers received a small upgrade from blue to white gold surrounds to match the hands. Additionally, Rolex replaced the square hour marker at 12 o’clock with an inverted triangle and the marker at 6 o’clock with a slightly elongated baton hour marker. Material choices of the Yacht-Master II include yellow gold, white gold (with a platinum bezel), stainless steel, and two-tone Everose gold and steel. Additionally, all Yacht-Master II watches come with matching metal Oyster bracelets.
Manufactured entirely in-house, the Daytona’s Caliber 4130 has been heralded by many watch enthusiasts as one of the most reliable and robust automatic chronograph movements on the market. One of its defining features is the use of a vertical (rather than lateral) clutch to activate the chronograph. This not only permits the chronograph hand to run smoothly without any signs of “jittering,” but also allows the chronograph function to run for a long time with no influence on the Daytona’s precision. Thanks to Caliber 4130, the Daytona features a chronograph hand accurate to within 1/8 of a second, a 30-minute counter at 3, a 12-hour counter at 9, a small seconds register at 6, and a power reserve of 72 hours.
When Rolex launched the Yacht-Master II in 2007, inside the watch was the Caliber 4160, which was then upgraded to Caliber 4161 in 2013. While these in-house chronograph calibers are based on the Caliber 4130, they are much more complex in terms of functionality. Rolex maintains that the Caliber 4160/4161 was the result of over 35,000 hours of development.
Most intriguing, the bezel on the Yacht-Master II is not just for show. Instead, turning it allows the user to flip through what functions of the watch to set. And one of these functions includes a programmable countdown timer (from 1 – 10 minutes), which also memorizes the desired setting t when you reset the timer. So, if you love a seven-minute jammy egg or a four-minute brew, then your Yacht-Master II is there for you.
The central chronograph hand also has flyback functionality, which means that you can reset it back to zero with the press of a single button while it is in motion. Additionally, just like its base caliber, the Cal. 4160/4161 also has a 72-hour power reserve.
While both chronographs have countless everyday applications, they cater to two totally different niches. The Daytona, with its motorsport roots, was initially developed to help the wearer record various stats while driving, such as speed, distance traveled, and elapsed time. On the other hand, the Yacht-Master II was inspired by regatta and features a race countdown mechanism.
The Daytona bezel is fixed, so its primary function relies on the chronograph movement. To activate the chronograph, press the top pusher above the crown. The chronograph seconds hand will start to race around the dial. The top pusher will also stop the chronograph while the bottom pusher resets it to zero. For example, to measure speed, simply activate the chronograph by pressing the top pusher. Once you’ve driven a mile, stop the chronograph by pressing the top pusher again. The chronograph hand will point to the corresponding speed on the Tachymeter bezel.
The Yacht-Master II bezel is connected to the movement and it is often referred to as a “Ring Command Bezel.” To use the programmable regatta countdown, you first need to unscrew the crown and rotate the bezel counterclockwise 90 degrees. Then, press the bottom pusher and turn the crown clockwise to move the arrow hand to the desired 10-minute count-down increment. Once the bezel is rotated back to its original position and the crown is screwed back into the case, you can press the top pusher to start or stop the countdown. The chronograph seconds hand will begin to move around the dial, once every minute. The famous flyback and fly-forward functionality is engaged by pressing the bottom pusher, sending the arrow hand backwards or forwards to the nearest minute in the countdown.
Side-by-side, these two Rolex chronographs look nothing alike. The Daytona offers traditional chronograph styling and functionality, while the Yacht-Master II is more aggressively designed and offers a niche complication in the form of a regatta chronograph. So, which one would be your pick?
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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COMMENTS
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 ...
To enter into the Yachtmaster 2 club, you will be paying a minimum of $16,000 for a new Yachtmaster 2. On the second hand market, you can find them for as low as $15-16,000. This is for the steel versions, of course. The price for the steel Sky-Dweller is around $17,000. The gold versions are around $48,000.
Interestingly, unlike the Yacht-Master II, the Rolex Sky-Dweller's Ring Command bezel is fluted and presented in solid 18k gold - even on the stainless steel models (they are actually considered White Rolesor models since their bezels are 18k white gold). The advanced feature-specific movement and larger 42mm size also contribute to the ...
Movement Features Of The Yachtmaster II And The Sky-Dweller. The Rolex Sky-Dweller; This Rolex Sky-Dweller takes its power from the Rolex calibre 9001. This timepiece remains one of the most complicated movements ever produced by this Swiss watchmaker. This is of course a fully in-house manufactured caliber.
Well, the Sky-Dweller employs intelligent bezel technology known as "ring command". This is the same technology used by the Yacht-Master II. Rotating the bezel interacts with the movement. In doing so it changes which function the winding crown engages. No fewer than 60 components make up the patented, complex mechanical module.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller, in Everose on a strap, $39,550; in white gold on a matching white gold bracelet, $48,850. Case, 42.00mm x 14.10mm, water resistance 10 bar/100 meters. Movement, selfwinding Rolex caliber 9001, bidirectional winding with 72 hour power reserve. Paraflex shock system with Parachrom balance spring; overcoil with free-sprung ...
To set the timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II, begin by turning the bezel until it clicks into place. This happens when the "1" on the bezel is around the 12 o'clock position. Then, press the push-piece at 4 o'clock, which will stay engaged. Once you unscrew the crown, you can set the duration of the countdown in minutes.
The Rolex Yacht-Master vs Yacht-Master II review below explains. ... Interestingly, the Yacht-Master II and Sky-Dweller are some of Rolex's most complicated watches for now. Case Sizes. The Yacht-Master comes in various case options, namely 29mm (discontinued), 35mm (discontinued), 37mm (Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 268621), 40mm (Rolex Yacht ...
The Rolex Sky-Dweller wrapped fully in 18k Everose gold (Ref. 336935) is priced at $50,900 USD, demanding the stratospheric (and ever-growing, still) premium that an all-gold Rolex tends to have, but in return delivering the power-factor anyone who buys a colored gold Rolex is after. Last, the Rolex Sky-Dweller in white gold on an Oysterflex ...
Both on the larger side as far as Rolex models go, the white gold Sky-Dweller on black leather strap (Reference # 326139) and the stainless steel Yacht-Master II (Reference # 116680) offer unique complications and bold aesthetics that set them apart from other models. Introduced in the past decade, both are relatively new to the market compared to some of the watchmaker's classic models ...
The Rolex Sky-Dweller comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, on matching bracelets or leather straps, and in a version with case and bracelet made of Rolex's proprietary Everose gold. Prices range from $38,150 to $48,850. This article was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with new text and art.
The Yacht-Master II though started it all. An incredibly impressive performer with an unmistakable look, it is not only a world away from its namesake, it is in a league of its own. The Rolex Yacht-Master vs Yacht-Master II difference shows two very fascinating and completely contrasting models. Possibly the biggest disparity between two ...
https://www.jaztime.com/ ⇐ BUY SELL TRADE-ins ↪ Hands on COMPARISON of the 326934 Sky-Dweller Fluted White Gold Bezel and Stainless Steel bracelet with ...
It's insane, probably even higher now. My AD said besides Daytona, blue SS sky dweller is the most high demand. The sky dweller is a $30-32,000 watch on the aftermarket . The blue and platinum YM is like $17,500-18,500. IMO skydweller looks better but it's gigantic on my wrist.
SD and it's not a close call imo. Sky dweller for sure speak classy, conservative while the yatchmaster gives you edgy, party look. Depends on the occasion because they are both great choices. Sky Dweller can look very classy but the sea dweller is an everyday watch in my opinion.
Movements: Yacht-Master vs Yacht-Master II. Although the aesthetic differences between the Rolex Yacht-Master and the Yacht-Master II are rather dramatic, an even bigger difference lies in the two movements that are used to power each watch. While one movement follows a conventional time plus date setup, the other is a totally unique and highly ...
Specially developed for the Sky‑Dweller, our patented Saros annual calendar is a key element in the model's identity. The name of this mechanism, with its innovative design, is inspired by the Greek term denoting the cycle of lunar and solar eclipses. The Saros calendar requires only one date adjustment a year, when February turns to March.
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 ...
The GMT-Master II and Explorer II models both display a second time via an extra 24-hour hand pointing out the hour on an engraved bezel. Really the only non-visual difference between them these days is that the GMT's surround rotates while the Explorer's is fixed. The Rolex Sky-Dweller, by comparison, uses a revolving 24-hour ring set ...
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In addition to its over-the-top case size and design, the Yacht-Master II was also the brand's most complex watch (until the introduction of the Sky-Dweller in 2012), equipped with a regatta chronograph, complete with mechanical memory and fly-back functionality for facilitated synchronization. Design: Daytona vs. Yacht-Master II