Phillip's Watches auctioned this magnificent rare yellow gold Paul Newman Daytona which is one of the most beautiful Rolex watches ever made. The design language of this watch is beyond timeless...
I was chatting with Nick Gould and he observed "King Harald has to be the oldest single owner of a GMT-Master!"
King Harald is pictured above and below with his wife, Queen Sonja, and in the photo below taken in 1968 he is rocking the exact same Pepsi GMT-Master pictured above on his wrist. Of course, the fundamental difference in appearance is back in 1968 his Pepsi Bezel was still bright blue and red, and today the patina is so faded, it looks like its silver, almost looking like he is wearing a stainless steel and platinum YACHT-MASTER!
In the 1970s and 1980s Rolex went crazy making all kinds of fascinatingly beautiful Rolex Day-Date and Datejust models with very colorful exotic dials, and the watch pictured below is no exception. The green Rolex dial is known as a Malachite dial, which is very cool looking.
"We must not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive at the place where we began, and recognize it for the first time."
—RALPH WALDO EMERSON
YACHT-MASTER
The Complete History
Rolex very, very rarely introduces all-new models, as a matter of fact, the last Rolex model introduced before the Yacht-Master was the Rolex Daytona which was introduced in 1964. Of course, Rolex's latest new model was the, Land-Dweller released last year in 2025.
Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992, so it took them 28 years to come up with an all-new model! Just for frame of reference, it took Rolex another 20 years to come up with another all-new model, which was the Sky-Dweller, which they introduced in 2012.
In 2012, Rolex also introduced an all-new version of the stainless steel and platinum Yacht-Master, with a cobalt blue sunray dial and it was an instant classic!!!
An Ultra-Rare Rolex Prototype or a Fugazi?
The 1967-1969 Rolex YACHT-MASTER
The watch below is somewhat confusing and controversial as it’s apocryphal. Italian Rolex fanatic, John Goldberger sent in the photo below of this supposedly Ultra-Rare 39.5mm Rolex Yacht-Master Chronograph Prototype [Reference 6239/6242], the dial of which was allegedly made in 1967 and the watch in 1969. It is one of only two documented examples of said model. I recall Eric Clapton owned one of these as some point.
So what is the origin of this alleged Rolex Yacht-Master Chronograph prototype? Is it real, or is it a Fugazi?
The supposed Yacht-Master looks like early Rolex Daytona models, but the Daytona models at the time were 36mm, where this purported Yacht-Master model was 39.5mm.
Nobody knows if these "Yacht-Master" prototypes are authentic and Rolex has never officially commented on their authenticity which seems strange to me!?!! In other words, if they were real, I would assume Rolex would have acknowledged them by now. Jose from Perezcope.com, who I have a great deal of respect for as a horological forensics investigator did a deep dive and argued they are NOT authentic.
The Rebirth Of The Rolex Submariner Yacht-Master
In 1992 Rolex introduced an all-new Yacht-Master, but what was its REAL and TRUE design genesis?
In the late 1970s, Rolex wanted to significantly update and modernize its Rolex Submariner model. Rolex created while gold Submariner variants that were essentially a "Super-Submariner". These highly exotic Submariner prototype models were upgraded to include a matching white gold Rolex President bracelet coupled with an etched white gold bezel insert, along with an unusually notched bezel as seen below in this 2026 Auction photo that appears courtesy of Christie's auction house:
The white gold version of the Submariner never made it into production, but the Rolex design team experimented like crazy and came up with what today is the modern Yacht-Master. The challenge was that Rolex loved the new design, but was scared to death to radically transform the Submariner. The Rolex Submariner was at the time and remains to this day, the most iconic watch in the world.
One could argue that for the last half-century, the Submariner has been Rolex's bread & butter.
Rolex loved the design of the new Submariner prototype; where the original had hard right angles, the new one had smoothly radiused edges. The new version had an etched bezel insert that was permanently soldered to the bezel. The new watch had fat hands and maxi markers and was a magnificent work of streamlined art. The challenge was that it looked nothing like the original.
Jocke, the famous Rolex photographer took the side by side photo above of the Rolex LV Submariner with Black Bezel Insert next to his Stainless and Platinum Yacht-Master. If you look at the two watches side by side, you really see how similar they are so much so, one could argue they are the exact same watch.
Rolex Design Language Evolutionary Steps
Design Note: Rolex design language has always been about evolving and then checking back-in with the past. This design methodology typically results in a timeless product that has strong ties to its past. If you examine the all-new Rolex Submariner Rolex Introduced in 2011, you see how it leap-frogged right over the Yacht-Master, while building on the Yacht-Master design language.
In other words, the new Supercase Submariner (2011 Model) has a ceramic bezel insert with lowered white gold markers, which give it a more sculptured/etched look like the Yacht-Master bezel in reverse. Just in the same way the crown guards grew fatter on the Yacht-Master than on the older Submariner, the new Ceramic Submariner has even fatter, crown guards.
Same thing with the new Ceramic Submariner getting fattened up lugs that give it a SuperCase. Also, add the fat hands, and Maxi-Markers, and the Ceramic Submariner leap-frogs the Yacht-Master by adding the super-innovative glide-lock clasp.
I realize I got a little sidetracked with the Submariner/Yacht-Master discussion, so now let's go back to the Yacht-Master. Rolex ultimately decided to revive their old trademark of Yacht-Master, and the rest, as they say, is history. If you carefully examine the modern Yacht-Master you will find it is almost identical in every way to a Submariner!!! The stainless steel and platinum Yacht-Master below almost looks like an albino version of the Submariner.
Rolex originally introduced the 40mm Yacht-Master in 1992 it was a Reference 16628 in 18kt gold, with a white dial and 3135 movement, which was the same movement used in the Rolex Submariner. The Yacht-Master had a triple-lock crown, and it was water resistant to 100 meters (10 bars) which is 320 Feet. Essentially, the first Yacht-Master was positioned as a Luxury version of the Submariner. The Submariner was for use underwater, and the Yacht-Master was for use topside. If the Submariner was for The Captain/The Skipper, the Yacht-Master was for Thurston Howell III (The Millionaire). Just for frame of reference, I am sharing these image of Emeril Lagasse and Brad Pitt sporting full-size 40MM Men's Rolex Yacht-Master models. In 1994, Rolex introduced a 35MM "Mid-size edition" named the Reference 69628 which was geared toward the Asian market, or for men with smaller wrist sizes. In the photos below we see Charlie Sheet rockin' a three-quarter size Rolex Yacht-Master.
That same year Rolex introduced the women's 29MM version of the Yacht-Master named the Reference 69628.
In the same year, Rolex also introduced a 18KT gold 40mm men's version with a blue sunray dial, which I happened to purchase. I took the wrist-shot photo below of my yellow gold Yacht-Master in 2002. I don't own this beauty anymore, but I really enjoyed wearing this striking work of art.
In 1999, at Basel Fair, Rolex introduced the 40 MM stainless steel and platinum version of the Yacht-Master known as the Reference 16622. Rolex referred to this stainless steel and platinum combo as Rolesium. This watch is unique in the sense it has a platinum machined bezel with beautifully raised markers, as well as a dial made out of platinum. I have often criticized this model for lacking contrast and being too monochromatic, or albino, but in certain lighting, conditions the dial really comes to life as you can see in this photo taken by Vu.
In 2005 Rolex introduced a 40MM Rolesor stainless steel and gold two-tone version of the Yacht-Master known as Reference 16623. Rolex refers to two-tone stainless steel versions of their watches as Rolesor. Rolex also started making Yacht-Master watches with a special mother of pearl dial, as seen below.
...Rolex Instantly Re-invents A Classic...
Stainless Steel & Platinum Yacht-Master
Cobalt Blue Sunray Dial
[40mm: Reference 116622]
Rolex very, very rarely introduces all-new models, but when they originally introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992 it was a Reference 16628 in 18kt gold, with a white dial and 3135 movement, which was the same movement used in the Rolex Submariner.
All New Blue Dial Yacht-Master Photo By Jurgen
At BaselWorld in 1999 Rolex surprised everyone when the introduced the stainless steel and platinum version. Rolex refers to the combination of Stainless Steel and Platinum as Rolesium. This all-new model was the first to bring back the timeless Maxi Markers and fat hands. Since then Rolex has slowly returned all sports models to incorporate Maxi Markers and fat hands-Thank God!!!
The stainless and platinum Yacht-Master dial and bezel were made out of platinum but, the challenge was that the watch had no contrast. It was beautiful but it looked albino and had no pop. That all changed this year at BaselWorld when Rolex introduced the new 40mm Reference 116622 with a Cobalt Blue Sunray dial, which is just stunning. With this new version, Rolex also updated the case design, by giving the Yacht-Master a Supercase, which means, they made the lugs much thicker.
YACHT-MASTER 42MM WHITE GOLD
Last year Rolex introduced the all-new white gold Rolex YACHT-MASTER in 42MM, which is stunningly magnificent!!! I LOVE the 42MM sizing, and noticed the Fat Hands and Jumbo Markers, which look amazing!!! Essentially, the Rolex Yacht-Master—just like the SEA-DWELLER—has always been a Rolex Submariner variant. So basically, we are are seeing what a 42MM or 43MM Submariner would look like, and it's BRILLIANT!!!!!
Also notice that Rolex seriously narrowed the lug width on this puppy, as the design language is going retro, back to the old-school lugs.
Below you can find my previously published story from 2014 that will walk you through the history of the Rolex Yacht-Master so you will get a much better understanding of the evolution of the model and understand how we got to this point:
If you are a reader of Jake's Rolex World, you know I consider many vintage Rolex ads to be works of art, in and of themselves. This 2012 Rolex Milgauss ad, in particular, strikes me as having magnificent composition. The GV Milgauss model (pictured below), was recently discontinued and featured the innovative, unique Rolex trademark green edged sapphire crystal, is so un-Rolexy in so many ways, but that is what makes it so interesting. The orange 3, 6, & 9 markers, coupled with the orange lighting bolt second hand, really set it apart. GV is French and means "Green Crystal." I still can't believe Rolex actually discontinued this amazingly iconic model???
Arthur C. Clarke is considered to be one of the top science-fiction writers, and futurists in history. During his brilliant career he wrote more than 100 books! Clarke is probably most famous for co-writing the screenplay for the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, which is considered to be one of the most influential films of the 20th Century. Arthur C. Clarke is pictured below wearing his yellow gold Rolex Submariner, as he speaks with Prince Claus of The Netherlands, as he receives the Marconi International Fellowship in 1982.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic."
—Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke was British and is considered to be on of the "Big 3" of Science-Fiction, along with Issac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein. Arthur C. Clarke wore a Rolex Submariner as a serious tool-watch, as he was an early pioneer in the world of Scuba Diving.
Arthur C. Clarke was a brilliant futurist, and in the photo below we see him pictured at home in Washington D.C. 1952, holding his book titled The Exploration Of Space.
In the videos below from 1964 and 1974, Arthur C. Clarke predicts that in the future we will live in a highly computerized, and connected world.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
—Arthur C. Clarke
Science Fiction Writer & Inventor of the Communication Satellite
The photo below of Arthur C. Clarke was taken in 1984 in his office in Sri Lanka and shows him in from of his Kaypro II computer he was using to send his script for 2010 to Hollywood. Notice his Rolex Submariner on his wrist.
2001 A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey was released in 1968 and is considered by many to be the ultimate science-fiction movie of all time. In the photo below we see Director, Stanley Kubrick on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey, with Arthur C. Clark who co-wrote the scrips with Kubrick.
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark picture above on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1967
I want to draw an analogy that keeps popping into my head as I write this story. I keep thinking about how similar Arthur C. Clarke was to Ian Fleming in the sense they were both born and raised in England, and both later fell in love with tropical worlds, and spent much of their later year writing in beautiful warm climates.
Sean Connery and Ian Fleming pictured above on the set of Goldfinger in 1964
Arthur C. Clarke having moved to Sri Lanka in 1955, and Ian Fleming living in his Golden Eye villa in Jamaica. In the photo we see Ian Fleming on the set of Goldfinger, where he served as a consultant for making the movie. Of course, Ian Fleming and Arthur C. Clark both wore Rolex watches when they wrote their seminal books that were turned into blockbuster movies.
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark picture above on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1967
In the photo below we see Arthur C. Clarke in Sri Lanka, posing with Stephen Spielberg, and Harrison Ford, who stopped by his home to see him in 1983, while they were filming Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom. Notice Arthur is wearing his Rolex Submariner.
The video below was shot in 1995 by the BBC and covers Arthur C. Clarke sharing his top Seven Wonders Of The World, and we see him wearing his yellow-gold Rolex Submariner.
This is a most unusual Rolex Submariner Rolex, and certainly one of the rarest in the world. Why? Because it has a white dial. This watch has been confirmed by Rolex in Geneva to be completely authentic. So how does it have a white dial? It was likely a prototype dial. Not a prototype in the sense that Rolex thought about making the watch with a white dial, but apparently Rolex used to make first generation prototype dials in white, and this is likely one of them. This image appears courtesy of Eric Ku from 10PastTen.com.
Historically Rolex has always been extremely secretive and discreet, and no journalists in the past have ever been invited "INSIDE ROLEX" to explore and report on all four Rolex Manufacturing faclities in Switzerland.
In November 2013, this changed when Rolex invited Jake to take an unprecdented journey into the heart of Rolex to learn and report on everything he witnessed and learned.
This Super-Detailed 3 Part Story is a "MUST READ" story for anybody who wants to understand what really makes Rolex tick.
Rolex originally introduced the 40mm Yacht-Master in 1992 it was a Reference 16628 in 18kt gold, with a white dial and 3135 movement, which was the same movement used in the Rolex Submariner. The Yacht-Master had a triple-lock crown, and it was water resistant to 100 meters (10 bars) which is 320 Feet.
Rolex also started making Yacht-Master watches with a special mother of pearl dial, as seen below.
