In 1999, things started to get more interesting with the Yacht Prestige. That was when Rolex introduced the steel Ref 16622. I say steel, but the technical name (at least as invented by Rolex) is Rolesium, which means that – in Rolex’s words – the case combines both steel and platinum. The Yacht Prestige was the first to feature this pairing. Since then, Rolex has kept it in the collection. 
I have no idea why Rolex chose platinum for the bezel of the Steel Yacht Prestige. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say it was to distinguish it as a “luxury first” watch. Whatever the reason, the end result is actually pretty cool. The bezel itself has a sandblasted finish. The raised numerals, on the other hand, are highly polished. Combined with the sandblasted platinum dial, this creates a very attractive monochromatic effect. (And yes, the dial is actually made from platinum.) The second hand and the bright red “Yacht-Master” text add just the right amount of contrast.
Today, you can get a quality Ref 16622 for about $10,000. That’s reasonable for a steel Rolex. This watch still hasn’t found favor with collectors. But it is practical for everyday wear and still offers the precision of a chronometer. If you are in the market for one, check out our retail partner WatchBox.
In 2012, Rolex Yacht-Master introduced an upgraded version of the Ref 116622, the Yachtmaster model that most people are familiar with. While there are some key changes, it is not too different from its predecessor. The main one is the introduction of a rich blue dial with sunburst decoration. I don’t know what it is, but the platinum case and the blue dial go together like ham and cheese. Even if the use of platinum is sparing, as in the case of the Yacht-Master. These two dials (platinum and blue) also feature Chromalight for the first time.
Rolex retired the platinum dial in 2016. It was replaced by the now-familiar rhodium dial with light blue contrast. For some, this was a bad decision. After all, the platinum dial was one of the hallmarks of the Yacht Masters collection. Others welcomed the change, saying that it gave the model a more modern appeal. In addition, the watch feels less heavy on the wrist. I can see both, although I do think the platinum dial has a very cool grain.