SIGNED ROLEX, YACHT-MASTER MODEL, REF. 16622, CASE NO. A809962, CIRCA 1999

Rolex wristwatches with prototype dials are recognized as highly important links charting the early development and progression of a reference through to its final production model. The present Yacht-Master reference 16622 dating from 1999, the first year of the reference, is fitted with an incredibly rare, prototype dial of a design that is not seen on the serial produced examples of the reference. Furthermore, this dial does not have the ‘Yacht-Master’ designation.

The majority of serial production watches of reference 16622 feature a sandblasted platinum dial with white luminous indexes, red centre seconds hand and Yacht-Master designation. In contrast, the present white gloss dial with black indexes, white triangular inner indexes and black centre seconds hand was evidently trialled experimentally on the present watch but no similar dial appeared on the Yacht-Master model until five years later with the introduction of the two-tone steel and gold reference 16623 in 2005. However, the 16623 dial differs in having gold index surrounds, yellow gold hands and of course, the Yacht-Master designation.

A fascinating addition to any modern Rolex collection, this ultra-rare and visually striking prototype is undoubtedly a key and historic component in the development of the Yacht-Master model.

The nautically inspired Yacht-Master luxury sports watch reference 16622 was introduced in 1999. The case and bracelet are made of stainless steel and the bezel of 950 platinum, this combination of steel and platinum is called ‘Rolesium’ by Rolex. The Yacht-Master was the first and is still the only Rolex Rolesium model.