Rolex Yachtmaster

[JimMiller]

Originally Posted by seventiesracing

So what should i do ?
im losing hope

If you're in the US: DavidSW

[seventiesracing]

Originally Posted by JimMiller

If you're in the US: DavidSW

yes i am

[seventiesracing]

So basically if I want the more sparkly dial start earlier than 08 or 06?

[Rosato]

Originally Posted by Rosato

Looks like DavidSW might be an option for a nice used YM (per his website).

http://davidsw.com/product/rolex-166...er-ssplatinum/

[saskmh]

I just bought a D serial Yachtmaster and from my research I have found the following:

The more sparkly dial seems to be 1999-2007ish
The fat font "YACHTMASTER" seems to be 1999 to 2004ish

With that in mind there would be a couple of years (roughly 2005 to 2007) that had the more sparkly dial with the thinner font YACHTMASTER.

My late D serial (May 2006) has the more sparkly dial with thinner fonts.

[saskmh]

By the way, for what it's worth, any photographs you will see on the internet will not do the watch justice. Once you have one in your hand you will realize just how gorgeous these really are. The platinum dial just doesn't photograph well. See one in the sunlight and your jaw will drop.

[GMT Aviator]

Originally Posted by seventiesracing

So basically if I want the more sparkly dial start earlier than 08 or 06?

Take a look at the watch in post #34. That's mine. It's a 2011. As you can see the dial sparkles beautifully.

On the more sparkly dials to which you refer, the difference is the fact that the media used to sandblast the finish on the earlier dials was a courser grain. The later dials were blasted with a finer grain media to get the texture in the dial. They both still sparkle beautifully in the sunlight regardless of which dial type you have.

Also remember, if you buy a later model like my 2011 pictured, you will get the ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX rehaut, which I quite like.

When I purchased mine, my key points were price, I didn't want an example where the bezel had been over polished so focused on nice crisp numerals that hadn't been softened from over polishing, and wanted a model with the ROLEX rehaut.

[seventiesracing]

Well guys after hours of looking it may be this one
Now in the pics it looks like the bezel has been polished but dont believe it has
think its just the lighting
Its circa 2001

what do you guys think

[seventiesracing]

that is the thicker font correct

[GMT Aviator]

Thats a nice one. It has the older course grain dial you're looking for and the bezel looks pretty good to me, even if it might of had a light 'buff' but its difficult to tell?
None the less, even if the bezel has been given the once over, it has been done carefully and still retains the numerals well.
The smudge mark on the bezel between the 5 and 10 markers in pic 2 is only a fingerprint I reckon. The frosted part of these bezels shows greasy fingermarks very easily, but they can be cleaned off in an instant using a cotton bud lightly dipped in acetone, which will lift greasy marks straight off no problem without damaging the finish in any way.
Quick, pull the trigger and buy it!

[seventiesracing]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

Thats a nice one. It has the older course grain dial you're looking for and the bezel looks pretty good to me, even if it might of had a light 'buff' but its difficult to tell?
None the less, even if the bezel has been given the once over, it has been done carefully and still retains the numerals well.
The smudge mark on the bezel between the 5 and 10 markers in pic 2 is only a fingerprint I reckon. The frosted part of these bezels shows greasy fingermarks very easily, but they can be cleaned off in an instant using a cotton bud lightly dipped in acetone, which will lift greasy marks straight off no problem without damaging the finish in any way.
Quick, pull the trigger and buy it!

Thank yes for a 2002 its pretty nice
I have until tuesday before he can ship so I am still looking but think this is it
waiting on some more pics of it

[GMT Aviator]

To give you an idea of what I mean by crisp bezel numerals, here is a couple more pics of my 2011.

Notice how the numerals on the bezel stand quite proud from the frosted part of the bezel with deep relief to them.

An over polished bezel will make the numerals appear flattened out by comparison.

This watch is unpolished.

[seventiesracing]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

To give you an idea of what I mean by crisp bezel numerals, here is a couple more pics of my 2011.

Notice how the numerals on the bezel stand quite proud from the frosted part of the bezel with deep relief to them.

An over polished bezel will make the numerals appear flattened out by comparison.

This watch is unpolished.

Very nice
So that one I'm looking at looks pretty good

[saskmh]

I agree with GMT. Sometimhing looks off about that bezel.

Here's my example too. Even with the same lighting on the frosted part and the numerals there is a distinct difference.

[seventiesracing]

Originally Posted by saskmh

I agree with GMT. Sometimhing looks off about that bezel.

Here's my example too. Even with the same lighting on the frosted part and the numerals there is a distinct difference.

So you think something looks wrong with the one I'm thinking about

[GMT Aviator]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the one you are looking at but I think the bezel has been buffed....but...

What you've got to remember is that these bezels mark easily. The watch you're looking at is a 2002 model year, so it's fair to say that being approx 14 years old, the bezel will have had to be tidied up unless the watch wasn't worn, which is unlikely.

The watch I own is 9 years newer and actually was only worn once or twice by the previous keeper. So the watch was mint.

So long as any polishing etc has been done with care, it won't matter, I'm just trying to highlight to you what an unpolished bezel looks like for reference, to give you a yardstick to
Compare to.

These platinum bezels cost about £600 to replace I believe. That's always an option later down the line if you keep the watch and want it replaced, but buying second hand, so long as the bezel looks like it's been restored respectfully, with regard to its appearance, then don't get too hung up on it.

I think the one in your pic looks ok, even though the bezel numerals don't appear to have the deeper relief of an unpolished bezel, it's not going to detract from the overall appearance and beauty of the watch.

It's just the nature of the beast with platty yacht masters, and remember, prices on these have already started climbing since they were discontinued, so don't wait too long for the 'perfect' watch to come along.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by seventiesracing

So you think something looks wrong with the one I'm thinking about

Not necesarilly. Just agreeing with Above. GMT aviator has it spot on.

[seventiesracing]

OK guys good deal just turned up
2005 original box and papers and still wrapped in plastic
How does it look

[seventiesracing]

Is that the right dial

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by Canook

I pick this one up tonight hopefully.... never really paid any attention to the YM before and having a browse on the weekend i came across this, after handling it and trying it on i was smitten! it is a beautiful watch!
So i just made it mine

That's stunning.

[GMT Aviator]

The bezel looks good. Still has nice relief on the numerals and it looks to have the course grain dial your after. Not sure if that box is correct for that year. Around about that time Rolex started using the newer style boxes you still see today, but the watch is what's important, not the box, and I could be wrong. It might be the original box.
From the pics you've shown so far, that's the nicest of the lot. It looks barely used but more pics would be good.

[seventiesracing]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

The bezel looks good. Still has nice relief on the numerals and it looks to have the course grain dial your after. Not sure if that box is correct for that year. Around about that time Rolex started using the newer style boxes you still see today, but the watch is what's important, not the box, and I could be wrong. It might be the original box.
From the pics you've shown so far, that's the nicest of the lot. It looks barely used but more pics would be good.

thanks
think il go with this one
so the dial looks the one ?

[GMT Aviator]

Difficult to tell if the dial is course grain, but it looks like it might be. You'd need more pictures. I have also noticed a black dot visible on the rehaut just between the 9 and 10 lume markers under the crystal.

[seventiesracing]

here are some more pics I do see that dot in all the pics

[GMT Aviator]

Well from the pic showing it with the certificate, pic 1 of 3 above I would hazard a guess it is indeed a course grain dial. The later dials just look much smoother. It also has the bold red yacht master writing on the dial which would also point to it being the course grain dial.

The bezel looks to have a nice relief on the numerals still, so if the bezel has been buffed at all, it's been done with care and I would say is still in good condition in appearance. The frosted area of the bezel also doesn't show signs of darkening which can occur when they are over polished or buffed.

The mark between the 9 and 10 we discussed, looking at these new pics, could just be something on the glass and may wipe off. Even if its inside, its not a big deal to have a watchmaker get the back off and drop the whole movement out the case and remove it, but its worth asking the seller what it is. It;s amazing how many watches you see listed where the seller hasn't even bothered to give them a simple wipe with a cloth before they photograph them for sale, and that black mark could be nothing.

The caseback retains what looks to me an original sticker, which because of its condition would indicate to me that the watch has seen little wrist time pertinent to it's overall age and condition.

If I were you, ask the seller about the black mark and find out what it is, and if it's priced right for you, make an offer. It looks like a nice watch to me because its not trying to hide anything. It looks like a carefully worn and well looked after yachtmaster.

[yehlai]

Platinum Rolesium color will slightly faded after service?

[saskmh]

The platinum does not fade.

[seventiesracing]

Just bought it . The dot was a speck of dust

[GMT Aviator]

Originally Posted by seventiesracing

Just bought it . The dot was a speck of dust

Yay! Well done. Happy Christmas to you.

I'm sure you'll be thrilled with it once it arrives. It looks great but be sure to post pics of it here as soon as you can so we can all see.

[joli160]

Congrats, you're gonna love it