Stainless Steel Rolex Yacht-Master II vs Submariner Date Cases Side by Side

With functionalities tailored to the needs of seafarers and divers, the stainless steel versions of Rolex's Yacht-Master II (Reference # 116680) and Submariner Date (Reference # 116610LN) are ideal for anyone who spends time above or below the ocean's surface. The Yacht-Master II is designed as a skipper's watch, with a regatta timer, large nautical dial and a Cerachrom bezel insert. The Submariner in the quintessential dive watch with a 60-minute unidirectional graduated bezel also made from Rolex's Cerachrom ceramic and a depth rating of 300 meters.

Introduced in 1953, the Submariner has a long legacy as the world's favorite dive watch. The reference shown above features a 40mm stainless steel case that houses a 3135 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured by Rolex in-house. In addition to the graduated bezel that allows divers to tell how long they have been underwater, it also has a date aperture at 3 o'clock with a Cyclops magnifying lens affixed to its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Its 300 meter depth rating is surpassed only by Rolex's Deepsea and Sea-Dweller models.

Rolex Yacht-Master II and Submariner Date Cases

The Yacht-Master II model appeared on the scene in 2007 and features a unique complication designed to aid skippers in keeping accurate time during yacht races. The regatta timer can be set to countdown up to ten minutes and has a flyback function that allows the user to synchronize the timer with the official countdown of the race. The 44mm case of the YM2 is one of the largest Rolex offers and features a ceramic Ring Command Bezel that rotates to allow the wearer to access the timer function. Fitted with a 4161 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured in-house by Rolex, it has a power reserve of 72 hours, 24 hours more than the Sub Date's power reserve.

While both stainless steel configurations come with Oyster bracelets, the center links of the Yacht-Master II's bracelet are polished while the Submariner Date's are brushed. The inner clasp of the Submariner is sandblasted and the YM2's is polished, shown in the photo below side by side. The Oysterlock clasp on the Sub comes with a Glidelock extension system that increases the length of the bracelet by 20mm in 2mm increments. The Yacht-Master II's Oysterlock clasp comes with an Easylink that increases the length of the bracelet by 5mm for additional comfort. As you can see in the photos, the Submariner's Glidelock increases the length of the clasp, something to consider if you have a small wrist.

Inner Clasp of Rolex Submariner Date vs Yacht-Master II

Perhaps the main difference between these two professional nautical watches is the price. The stainless steel Submariner Date (Reference # 116610LN) retails for 8,100 Swiss francs or approximately $8,196 US while the stainless Yacht-Master II model (Reference # 116680) retails for 17,800 Swiss francs for approximately $18,112 US. With a price difference of over $10,000, the decision would come down to price for most people. Size would also be a determining factor, as the YM2's 44mm case may sit too large for small to midsize wrists. However, the significant increase in price for a precious metal Yacht-Master II configuration makes the stainless steel configuration more attainable for anyone who prefers its design aesthetic and functionality.

Rolex Submariner Date and Yacht-Master II Side by Side

For additional information about the Submariner, check out my previous post about the popular LV configuration of this model here. To check out the Yacht-Master II in depth, take a look at this post featuring the two-tone configuration. If you are looking for more model comparisons, click here.

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