Is the Rolex Yacht-Master a very popular Rolex collection? In my impression, the last really popular Rolex Yacht-Master was probably the traditional 116680. The 42mm white gold Yacht-Master 226659 can also be considered one of the more popular models in recent years.
In the replica watch market, apart from the 116680, high-quality replicas can be found for almost all of the other Yacht-Master models.
At present, the main factories producing Rolex Yacht-Master replicas are VS, QF, and ER. VS has been producing them for quite some time, while QF and ER can now equip their Yacht-Master models with free-sprung 3235 movements. Unlike the so-called fake free-sprung design used by VS, QF’s free-sprung movement has balance weights.
VS has now upgraded this rose gold Yacht-Master to the V2 version. In fact, the main change is simply an increase in weight. Tungsten steel material has been added mainly inside the case, bringing the total weight of the watch to 129.7 grams.
Curved steel inserts have also been placed inside the rubber strap. The strap itself is a high-quality type that does not easily attract dust, and it is quite expensive even if you buy it separately. After adding the steel inserts, the strap feels like it fits the wrist better and is more comfortable to wear.
VS previously made two upgrades to another Yacht-Master model, the 226659, which has now reached the V3 version. The V2 version weighed more than 130 grams, while the V3 version weighs more than 140 grams. I do not know whether VS will continue increasing the weight of this rose gold Yacht-Master in the future and eventually release a V3 version.
This Rolex Yacht-Master is equipped with VS DD3235 movement, and there are both regulated and free-sprung versions available.
For a watch with a closed caseback like this, I personally feel that choosing a free-sprung movement does not have much meaning. If the watch develops a larger timekeeping error in the future, adjusting a free-sprung movement can also be more troublesome, especially in the case of VS fake free-sprung movement.
