When you think of Rolex, the immediate suspects always come to mind. On the right, you have your classic dress pieces such as the Datejust and Day-Date and on the left the ever-popular sports models such as the Submariner, GMT-Master and the Daytona. For a long time, the Rolex Yacht-Master was the unloved and unappreciated model of the Crown’s lineup. When it comes to early Yacht-Masters, I believe there is truly a missed opportunity and collectors today are starting to realise this. When Rolex announced its newly revamped Yacht-Master back in 2015, we saw a noticeable trend of the earlier Yacht-Master models being sidelined and undervalued, making discoveries like this example of a Ref. 16622 we have here particularly exciting and special as it underscores the remarkable value proposition that the Ref. 16622 has become over time.
Coming in a contemporary case size of 40mm x 11.5mm, the Ref. 16622 is actually, quite a handsome watch to boot. Despite its case being crafted out of stainless steel, the Ref. 16622 carries a certain degree of heft due to the partial usage of platinum as part of its construction. The watch comes fitted with a visually arresting sparkling platinum dial coupled with a platinum bi-directional bezel insert. The Maxi-style dial layout includes luminous hour markers and hands made from white gold, along with a date window aperture placed at 3:00. Adding a touch of flair is the cherry red seconds hand as well as the red ‘Yacht-Master’ text, which contrasts strikingly against the ice-cool glittery appearance of the platinum dial.
Powering the Yacht-Master from within is Rolex’s very own ever-so-reliable, chronometer-grade, automatic Cal. 3135, which features COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification and an anti-magnetic Parachrom Bleu hairspring. In terms of power reserve, the Cal. 3135 can hold a maximum capacity of 48 hours when fully wound. While Rolex movements may not be known for their high-level finishing, you can be confident that you are getting one of the most dependable in-house movements ever made.
Certainly, the Ref. 16622 may not enjoy the same level of popularity and hype as some other Rolex models like the Submariner or the Daytona. Nevertheless, I think this is precisely why it is such a compelling and intriguing reference to collect. In the sphere of Rolex collecting, I also think it is quite refreshing to opt for a reference that is unique and a little off the beaten path, such as the Ref. 16622, which exemplifies this sentiment perfectly.
