Why did Rolex change the hands on the YMII?

[samson66]

I've always kind of liked the Yachtmaster II so I check the secondhand ads quite a bit. One thing that always bugs me is I can't figure out why Rolex ditched the blue hands for the white Mercedes hands.

Seems to me the blue is much easier to see. What was the reason for the switch? And for anyone that has one of the newer ones, do you have trouble reading the time?

[Wcdhtwn]

Who knows... I do remember them getting blasted in here when this change was announced at Basel. I agree, the new hands look smaller which makes it harder to read, and the scale of the whole piece just looks off now.

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks better with the triangle at 12 though.

[Aberdein]

No idea why they changed but both versions are smart looking watches.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks better with the triangle at 12 though.

I didn't even notice that change. I sort of prefer the older style but the triangle doesn't bother me the way the new hands do.

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[1William]

Not a huge fan of this watch but I found the blue hands better than the newer hands. Don't know why they made the change.

[watchwatcher]

It is something known only to Rolex, although if I were guessing, I'd say they were trying to give the watch a 'sportier' feel? It's not the first time they've messed with it, the original gold version had gold (straight) hands, which were eventually replace with the blue.

Not a fan of the new hands, but will agree with Adam I do like the triangle at 12.

[harvey]

Think it was about three years ago. The dial and hands were changed to make it more legible.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks better with the triangle at 12 though.

Didn’t know there was a change, like the old hands better, but yes, the triangle at the top is an improvement.

[Keepchasing]

I never understood why they changed them either. To me it is the same as if they change the hands on the Skydweller to these.

What would be the point?

The triangle does look better at 12, indeed.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by harvey

Think it was about three years ago. The dial and hands were changed to make it more legible.

I heard that too and I don't get it. How are white hands on a white dial more legible than blue hands? Curious to hear from any owners if they find it easier or harder to read now. I still think if I pick one up it will be the older model. I just think the blue hands look better.

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[harvey]

Originally Posted by samson66

I heard that too and I don't get it. How are white hands on a white dial more legible than blue hands? Curious to hear from any owners if they find it easier or harder to read now. I still think if I pick one up it will be the older model. I just think the blue hands look better.

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Mike I have to agree. I mean not like it wasn’t already busy enough...now add a triangle to the dial along with the squares...and add Mercedes hands too. Must be one the laziest update ever...must have decided that on a Friday afternoon!

Don’t get me wrong I still kinda like it as it’s quirky like the Milgauss GV and the Explorer II Polar.

[Ballzzz]

Old hands & dial look better to me anyhow.

[Webster2281]

Not just that they changed hands, but the new Mercedes hands ones are much more expensive in the secondary market.


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[mml4]

The blue hands are my choice.

[Psmith]

I much prefer the original hands, and they made more sense functionally. I'm not keen on the triangle either, but not really that bothered about it.

[brandrea]

They wanted to make a hard to read reference even more difficult to read

[JonaG]

I think Rolex is very economical in its supply chains, what’s easier than more mercedes hands? I like both versions though but the blue is more striking.