Rolex Yacht-Master is one of the rare Rolex models that took decades to develop. The concept of a Yacht-Master watch was born in the mid 1960’s, but it wasn’t up until the 1990’s that the model was officially released.

Rolex Yacht-Master became especially popular among those that wanted the look of a professional watch with more flare. Initially, Yacht-Master watches were only available in white or yellow gold with a white dial and a 40mm case. It wasn’t until the mid-90’s that the Yacht-Master became available in stainless steel and platinum and later in two-tone stainless steel and gold.

If you have fallen in love with one of the Yacht-Master models, here are a few things that you should know before you purchase this Rolex.

  • Condition is key
  • Choose the right retailer
  • Make sure that your Rolex is real

Condition is Key

As is the case with most things in life, the condition of your Rolex will greatly impact its price. This is especially important if you are purchasing a pre-owned watch. Ideally, you are looking for a Rolex Yacht-Master in an excellent, like new condition priced on the low end of reasonable. Watches like that are very hard, if not impossible, to find. Here are a few things to pay attention to that might give you some bargaining room:

Bezel, crystal, and bracelet of your Yacht-Master should be free of deep scratches that can’t be easily buffed out by a professional.

  • The dial and markers should be free of stains, corrosion, and sun damage.
  • Links in the bracelet should be tight and not “sloppy” or stretched out.
  • The watch should have at least some paperwork that comes with it. Note that some pre-owned watches may not have all of their authentication and maintenance paperwork. That’s ok. You’ll just have to pay extra special attention to the authenticity of the watch.

If any one of the things mentioned above are missing or are in the less than acceptable condition, you have some room to bargain over the price. Bargaining might be challenging if you are purchasing a watch from a watchmaker or a licensed, pre-owned watch retailer. A reputable retailer will rarely drive up the price for a less than perfect watch. If you think that the watch is overpriced, simply walk away.

Choose the Right Retailer

This brings me to the next topic of conversation. Choosing the right retailer. You will ask me: how do I know which retailer is right for me? Well, I highly recommend starting with the following:

  • Are they licensed and insured?
  • Do they have a money back guarantee or a return policy?
  • Do they offer a warranty?
  • Is there a professional watchmaker on staff?
  • Can they address all of your questions and concerns?
  • Do they appear pushy?

A reputable retailer will be licensed and insured, have a money back guarantee or a return policy. A reputable retailer will also offer a warranty of some type to go with your watch, they will have a professional watchmaker on staff, and they will never be pushy or rush you into something that you are not sure about. A reputable retailer understands the intricate process of selling a pre-owned Swiss luxury watch and will be able to assure that you are comfortable with the process and with your purchase. If at any point you feel rushed, pushed, or uncertain about the intentions of the retailer – walk away.

Beware of Fakes

Here is how to spot a fake Yacht-Master watch. This is by no means a comprehensive guide. If you wish to learn more about Rolex authentication, we recommend reading our Rolex Authentication article.

  • A Rolex is a heavy watch. If a watch feels light, it is probably made out of inferior materials and is fake.
  • With a very few exceptions, there are no engravings on the back of Rolex watches. Current Rolex watches will have a hologram that will change at different angles and appear three dimensional.
  • The movement of a seconds hand should be smooth and not choppy.
  • A Yacht-Master will have a sapphire crystal. If you see any tint, chipping, or deep set scratches, the watch might be fake. Sapphire is incredibly durable and completely clear.
  • A genuine Rolex should have a flawless, lustrous finish on all metal surfaces. Fakes that are trying to look like yellow gold will be dull and almost look like brass.
  • Markers on the watch should be brightly luminous in the dark and evenly spaced. The dial should be free of scratches and imperfections.
  • The logo should be smooth without any jagged edges.
  • The winding crown should have a smooth movement to it.
  • The bezel of a Rolex Yacht-Master should rotate smoothly without clicking or catching.
  • Basically, if the Rolex that you are looking at has any imperfections that do not look like they are part of general wear and tear, you should probably question its authenticity. Any watch purchase that you make should be looked at by a professional.

Why Ermitage Jewelers

Ermitage Jewelers is an Atlanta area pre-owned Rolex retailer. We offer competitive prices on all of our Rolex watches. We offer a 10 day money back guarantee and a limited one year warranty so you can be sure that you are buying the very best.

All of the timepieces that we sell have been tested, cleaned, and restored (if needed) with authentic Rolex parts only. We don’t sell replica watches, so you can rest assured that you are getting the very best.

Browse our collection or stop by our Atlanta location. Our friendly staff will be glad to help you fall in love with your very own Rolex Yacht-Master.

Available models:
16622, 16623, 116622, 116623, 116680, 116683, 116681, 116688