White Gold Rolex Sky-Dweller vs Stainless Steel Yacht-Master II

.Model Comparisons.
Both on the larger side as far as Rolex models go, the white gold Sky-Dweller on black leather strap (Reference # 326139) and the stainless steel Yacht-Master II (Reference # 116680) offer unique complications and bold aesthetics that set them apart from other models. Introduced in the past decade, both are relatively new to the market compared to some of the watchmaker's classic models. However, they still maintain the classical design sensibilities that Rolex is known for with case sizes and complications that represent twenty-first century ingenuity. 

White Gold Rolex Sky-Dweller Case (left) and Stainless Steel Yacht-Master II Case (right)
The Sky-Dweller was created to allow the wearer to keep track of time around the globe with its patented interface: the Ring Command bezel. This feature makes it easy to set the time functions of the watch while maintaining the fluting that is characteristic of Rolex dress watches. It also features a Saros annual calendar and 24-hour display with dual time zones, giving the wearer a stylish but functional timepiece that can go with them anywhere. Like most of their date models, it also features a date aperture at 3 o'clock with a Cyclops magnifying lens affixed to the crystal above it. It is equipped with a 9001 self-winding mechanical movement with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. 

Stainless Steel Yacht-Master II Case atop White Gold Rolex Sky-Dweller Case
The Yacht-Master II features a complication that caters to skippers during yacht races: a professional regatta chronograph. Like the Sky-Dweller, its bezel interacts with the movement inside to operate the timer. It can be programmed up to 10 minutes with a fly-back reset function that allows one to synchronize the timer with the official countdown of the yacht race. The bezel features a blue Cerachrom insert that is virtually scratch-proof and will not fade over time. In the photo above, you can see that the YM2's 44 millimeter case is slightly larger than the Sky-Dweller's 42 millimeter case.  However, the Sky-Dweller's case is slightly thicker than that of the Yacht-Master II. The YM2 is equipped with a 4161 self-winding mechanical movement with a power reserve of 72 hours.

78210 Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet of the Yacht-Master II
The stainless steel Oyster bracelet (Reference # 78210) shown in the photo above belongs to the Yacht-Master II. All Yacht-Master II configurations feature an Oyster bracelet, whereas the Sky-Dweller is available with either a leather strap, like the black leather strap shown in the photo below, or an Oyster bracelet in 18 carat gold. The Sky-Dweller model is only available in precious metal configurations, with the YM2 available in either stainless steel, Everose Rolesor (combination of rose gold and stainless steel), yellow or white gold. The suggested retail price for the white gold Sky-Dweller is approximately $39,550 US. The stainless steel Yacht-Master II retails for approximately $18,750 US, with the white gold configuration priced closer to the Sky-Dweller at $48,150 US.

White Gold Rolex Sky-Dweller on Black Leather Strap
These models represent a new era for Rolex, with their large sizes and Ring Command bezels interacting with the movements inside their cases. The Sky-Dweller caters to those who take to the skies while the Yacht-Master II is ideal for those with a taste for the open seas. For more information on either of these wristwatch models, visit rolex.com or check out the Rolex Models section of this blog for more model comparisons, Rolex model information and technical information.

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2016 Rolex Milgauss 116400GV

.Rolex Models.
Worn by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva due to its resistance to strong magnetic fields, Rolex's Milgauss model was originally designed for engineers and technicians that are exposed to magnetism at their job sites. Its name is a combination of mille, the French word for thousand, and gauss, a unit that measures magnetism. The 2016 version of this model features many technological advances that help to protect its 3131 movement (manufactured in-house by the watchmaker) from malfunctioning due to exposure to magnetic energy. 

2016 Rolex Milgauss 116400GV (photo: Rolex/Jonathan Pease)
Available with the Z Blue dial shown in the photo above or a white or black dial, this model features a lightning bolt seconds hand that pays homage to the original version introduced in 1956. It comes in stainless steel on an Oyster bracelet with polished center links with an Oysterclasp fitted with a 5 mm Easylink extension. The case measures 40 millimeters in diameter and is sealed with a Twinclock winding crown. It has a depth rating of 100 meters and a power reserve of 48 hours. A distinctive feature of this model is its unique green tinted sapphire crystal.

A magnetic shield made of ferromagnetic alloys protects the movement within the case, with the oscillator and escapement made from paramagnetic materials to protect them from magnetic interference. The escapement wheel is made from a nickel-phosphorus alloy that is produced in-house through a process called UV-LiGA. The oscillator has a blue Parachrom hairspring that is also resistant to magnetism. Between the shield and the component parts, Rolex assures the wearer that the precision of this timepiece will not be affected by work environments in the telecommunications, aerospace and nuclear energy fields.

Most people are not exposed to large amounts of magnetic energy at their job sites, but that shouldn't stop them from looking at this charming wristwatch model. You don't have to be a scientist to sport a Milgauss, just like you don't have to be a professional diver to enjoy the Deepsea. The suggested retail price for the 2016 Rolex Milgauss (Reference # 116400GV) is $8,200 US. For more information on this and other 2016 model configurations, visit rolex.com or visit or local Authorized Dealer.

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Russell Peters Wears a Platinum Rolex Daytona

.Celebrities.
Russell Peters Wears Rolex in Netflix Special (photo: Russell Peters Facebook)
Canadian standup comic Russell Peters is the most financially successful comedian that most Americans haven't heard of. He was the first comedian to be given a standup special on Netflix (Notorious in 2013) and his current special on the streaming service, Almost Famous, pokes fun at his lack of name recognition while selling out shows across the globe. Peters was born in Toronto to Anglo-Indian parents and began his comedy career with the blessing of George Carlin, who told him to get on stage whenever possible. The comedian took the advice to heart and created a comedy empire in the years that followed, headlining at Madison Square Garden and O2 Arena in London to name a couple of his accomplishments in the world of standup.

Peters' comedy focuses on the humor in cultural differences between ethnic groups, as you can see in the clip embedded below from Notorious in which he talks about discussing paint color with a Mexican Home Depot employee. The comedian has yet to be embraced by Hollywood, which he attributes to not being 'in with the in crowd' or being introduced to Hollywood executives by a tastemaker. He is currently filming a television series set to air in Canada, with the possibility of being picked up in the US. For now, he makes his living touring the world with his comedy.

In his latest special, he wears a platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, a symbol of success and status that not every comic can claim. Almost Famous is now streaming on Netflix as Peters tours the US working on new material. For more information on Peters, including tour dates, visit his official website at russellpeters.com. To check out the 2016 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in all of its configurations, visit rolex.com.

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Top 5 YouTube Videos to Help You Spot a Fake Rolex

.Rolex Shopping Guide.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex (photo: Rolex/Jean-Daniel Meyer)
There are many different ways to tell the difference between an authentic Rolex and a knock off. Some fakes look quite convincing, but when they are taken apart they reveal their true origins. There are as many ways to spot a fake Rolex as there are ways to manufacture one, so I decided to compile a few YouTube videos to illustrate the differences between an authentic Rolex and a counterfeit. Seeing a fake next to the real thing is the best way to train your eye to spot the design flaws and technical inconsistencies that can help save you from being swindled on the gray market. Check out the videos I embedded below to find out what to look for in an authentic Rolex wristwatch.


Pawn Stars is a reality show on History Channel that centers around Pawn Shop owners. In the video above, one of them breaks down how he can tell the difference between a real Rolex watch from a fake. He focuses mainly on waterproof testing, checking for proper configurations and the magnification of the Cyclops lens.


Archie Luxury focuses on the finer points in his video, recommending taking the bracelet off the case to check the serial numbers on the case and bracelet for authenticity. He also comments on the stamping and printing on these watches, pointing out that some fakes have incorrect information stamped on them, like a stainless steel Explorer having an 18k gold stamp in the case - a dead giveaway that is less apparent than other inaccuracies.


The video above shows the movement of a fake Chinese knock off (you can skip to the 5:00 minute mark to get to the movement). I included this one so that you can see the difference between a fake Rolex movement and the real thing. The rotor on the fake only moves in one direction and the rest of the movement lacks the markings and parts that make a Rolex and Rolex.


The Daytona model is one of the watchmaker's most coveted and this video by TraxNYC is very helpful in comparing two counterfeit versions with the real thing. It goes into detail about the markings and design features of this model, something that would be helpful to watch on your phone when you are getting ready to check out a Daytona for purchase.


In this final video, a gentleman compares his authentic Datejust II with a knock off that his friend purchased. He goes into great detail, revealing the issues with the instantaneous date change and the winding crown that give away his friend's fake. It is very difficult to tell the difference just looking at them, so this video would be great for anyone on the market for a preowned DJ2.

There are other videos on YouTube that go into the difference between real and fake watches, but I feel watching these five will give you a good primer on what to look for in an authentic Rolex. The key is to know every single detail about the model you are looking at, from the finer details like stamping and markings to functionality and consistency. I would recommend going to rolex.com and printing out the PDF brochure for the model you are looking at before going to see the watch in person. Their model brochures include reference numbers and details about the dials, bracelets, crown and configurations that will help you know what to look for in an authentic Rolex.

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Rolex Lume Shots: Deepsea, GMT-Master II and Yacht-Master II

.Model Comparisons.
Rolex Deepsea Lume
Lume is an abbreviated term for the luminescent material used to distinguish the watch hands and hour markers from the dial in the dark. For the past few years, Rolex has used their Chromalight luminescence, a blue tinted luminescent material shown in the photo above on the Deepsea model. The reason they chose the color blue is that it is the last color distinguishable in the depths of the ocean. Previously, the watchmaker used a green tinted luminescent material called Super-Luminova. The GMT-Master II in the photo below shows the green lume that was used prior to Chromalight.

Rolex GMT-Master II Lume
Super-Luminova is the brand name for the strontium aluminate–based non-radioactive and nontoxic photoluminescent pigments invented in 1993 by Nemoto & Co., Ltd. of Japan. LumiNova pigments replaced radium-based luminescent paints in the watch industry and for other applications, like scientific instruments and signs. The pigments are activated by sun or artificial light to glow for hours at a time. According to speculation on the forums, it is believed that Rolex still uses paints from Nemoto in their Chromalight luminescence, even though it is branded as a proprietary material of the watchmaker. 

Rolex Yacht-Master II Lume
Regardless of how it is produced, the Chromalight luminescence creates a sharper contrast against the darkness, something that is more evident in models with smaller hour markers, like the Yacht-Master II shown above. Its square hour markers are substantially smaller than those of the Deepsea and GMT, but the clear blue light still allows the wearer to tell the time in the darkness. The amount of lume varies in each Rolex model, with the professional watches offering the most luminescent displays compared to other collections. 

Most wear their wristwatches in well lit spaces, but luminescence is important when the situation calls for it. Whether deep sea diving, exploring caves or camping under the night sky, a luminescent display makes your Rolex a useful tool in any environment. 

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