Why We Love It
It is perhaps one of the greatest injustices in horology that women's wristwatches have not historically received the same respect as their larger cased counterparts, resulting in far fewer executions worth collecting.
This is truly a shame - but fortunately, Rolex got the memo long before most, and have been producing outstanding ladies watches for over 50 years. And we're talking about the real thing - not those that utilize faux-gold, not-so-precious stones and batteries - Rolex's offerings are mechanical, functional, wearable art.
Things like this: A 29mm two-tone Yacht-Master!
This particular example, a Reference 169623, features a two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel case with a matching solid-link Oyster bracelet, a luminous champagne dial with matching handset, and an 18K yellow gold bi-directional rotating timing bezel. So great!
Checking all of the boxes as its larger brothers, this lovely piece can easily be worn as a dress watch or a demure daily driver for the lady who knows what proper watches are all about.
The Story
The Rolex Yachtmaster is a relatively recent addition to the pantheon of famous Rolex sports models.
Originally introduced in the early 1990s, the Yachtmaster was initially conceived as a high style, high lux accoutrement for the nautically-minded enthusiast. Roughly based on the Submariner sized Oyster case, the Yachtmaster sported more graceful lug contour, tone-on bezel insert, and more polished elements to the case and Oyster bracelet. The first generation model, Reference 16628, was produced exclusively in solid 18k yellow gold, and was offered with a variety of exotic dials, including gem-set mother of pearl.
A few years later in 1999, Rolex expanded the line to include a steel model with a platinum bezel assembly, a combination Rolex calls 'Rolesium'. Two-Tone Rolesor, Everrose, and white gold models followed and have proven extremely popular with collectors who want in on the Rolex experience but want something different than a Submariner or GMT-Master on their wrist.
