Rolex has recently updated its range of “professional” Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master collection with a new Ref. 16622 model. Executed in their proprietary “rolesium” alloy of 950 platinum and stainless steel, the gadget features a blue dial and looks, well, extremely cool. Besides offering a more contrast display, the 16622 is also more elegant than the previous iterations, including even those with platinum dials.
Comparing the newly introduced watch with previous models, I don’t see any significant visual differences between them. Probably, because there are none.
The new timekeeper comes in the same 40 mm case, which is referred to as “large” and combines highly corrosion-resistant 904L low carbon stainless steel and so-called Rolesium: an expensive alloy of the same 904L steel and 950 platinum.
Although the difference is subtle, a watch crafted from the alloy actually looks more imposing since the presence of platinum gives the polished parts a sense of depth that you will never experience when it comes to plain steel.
The difference in perception, by the way, is not merely a sort of self-suggestion induced by the alloy’s higher price: even in a blind test it usually takes just a moment to see the difference between two similarly styled models done in stainless steel and Rolesium.
The composition is finished with a bidirectional rotating bezel, which is wholly crafted from solid platinum, brushed, and then polished.
The dial of the new Yacht-Master features the same set of luminous hour markers and hands that are covered with their proprietary Chromalight substance (it is claimed to be brighter than the famous Superluminova and also emits a blue glow, which is more pleasant for the eye and also makes easier to tell an original from a counterfeited piece of garbage).
Like the previous iterations of the model (and many other members of the Oyster range), the watch is animated by the well-known Caliber 3155 self-winding movement.
First introduced back in the late eighties, the caliber sports an antimagnetic Parachrom hairspring. Crafted from niobium, zirconium, and oxygen alloy, it is also officially certified by the Swiss-based COSC authority as a chronometer.
The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 16622 first saw the light in March 2012 during the Baselworld 2012 event. It is already present on their corporate website so there is a good chance that it will soon go on sale in an authorized dealer near you. No info on pricing, but it will be expensive.
See also: Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days Rattrapante PAM 319
Photos: Rolex
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master Blue Dial in Rolesium 16622 specification
Movement: Automatic, Caliber 3135, COSC-certified chronometer, in-house, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 31
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: Rolesium and Stainless steel
Bezel: 950 Platinum
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Lug width: 19.00 mm
Dial: Blue
Numerals: Arabic (on the bidirectional rotating bezel)
Hour markers: Luminous (Chromalight)
Hands: Luminous (Chromalight)
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Solid-link Oyster bracelet in 904L stainless steel with a new-generation Oysterlock safety clasp, regulated in 5 mm increments
Crystal: Sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date window at 3 o’clock
Back: Solid, fluted, screwed down