Why is Yacht Prestige in 18k gold and not the Rolex Submariner?

With its bold and brash look of a large case, the replica Rolex Yacht Prestige has never been on my radar. It seems far removed from the original tool spirit of its brother, the Rolex Submariner. It also gave me the feeling of white slacks and a blue sport coat with brass buttons, which isn’t my style. But while the tool vibe of the Professional line is far removed from its legendary story, the Rolex Yacht Prestige has grown on me. But why would my only Rolex be the Yacht Prestige in 18k gold?
Back in 2015, when I first saw this, I was shocked. With Rolex’s expertise in steel straps, why would they make a rubber strap? And why was it marketed as a rubber strap with a molded metal support structure inside? It was mad science to me then, but it made sense after trying it on. It made the Yachtmaster look like a solid gold Submariner with a modified invisible bezel. I’m glad I was sitting and looking at it. But for some reason, the Stellar Gold 40mm and 37mm debuts resonated with me more than the Submariner.
Unlike most Rolex releases, what started as a guilty pleasure peep show has been with me for almost eight years now. This Hublot is meant to be completely different from the Rolex Submariner, but it seems to me that the brand acknowledges that the era of the true tool watch is over. The matte Cerachrom bezel with embossed numerals is a stroke of dark genius. Combining the printed crown and logo with the single line of red “YACHT-MASTER” lettering is completely unexpected and stunning.
While my favorite is the glamorous Everose version, a big shout out to copy Rolex for creating the monochromatic 18k white gold model 226659, it’s a bit big for my taste, but it’s one of the best examples of the Holy Grail of understatement, hands down. It’s also quite accessible as far as Rolex is concerned, and, now even better, it’s a great example of hidden wealth.
The juxtaposed charms of these master yachtsmen have proven successful, but as with everything Rolex, the numbers are kept secret. The limited edition 40mm in white gold, launched in March 2022 to celebrate the collection’s 30th anniversary, blew me away. I’m not much of a fan of gem-set replica watches, but studying color options for the diamond and sapphire-set bezel on the 126679SABR made a big impact on me. The diamonds accentuate the elegant lugs, and the combination of diamonds and pink and blue sapphires surround the dial in a way that I would wear it. I’m not a rapper, rock star, or TikTok celebrity, but I could imagine it on my wrist.