Rolex Yacht-Master Yellow Rolesor — Blue Dial | Ref. 16623

Reference 16623 is the original Yacht-Master in Yellow Rolesor — the two-tone configuration that launched alongside the model's debut in 1992 and became the definitive expression of the nautical sports watch in its early years. The combination of Oystersteel and 18ct yellow gold in the Rolesor format gives the 40mm Oyster case and Oyster bracelet their characteristic warmth, while the blue dial — a colour long associated with maritime tradition and the open sea — completes a coherent and enduring aesthetic that remains as fresh today as at its introduction.

Powering the 16623 is the Calibre 3135, Rolex's seminal self-winding movement that served as the backbone of the Datejust and Oyster Professional lines for decades. Running at 28,800vph with a bidirectional Perpetual rotor, Parachrom hairspring, and twin spring barrel, it delivers ±2 seconds per day accuracy and a 48-hour power reserve. The Yacht-Master's signature bidirectional rotatable bezel — crafted in 18ct yellow gold and engraved with raised numerals and minute graduations — is designed for elapsed-time measurement at sea, functioning equally as a striking piece of jewellery ashore.

The 16623 holds a special place in the Yacht-Master collector's canon as the founding reference of the 40mm two-tone line, predating the Yacht-Master II and the later Oysterflex-equipped generations. Its Oyster bracelet with yellow gold centre links and the classic 40mm case dimension represent the model as Rolex originally conceived it. Strong secondary market demand from collectors who prize the original reference over later iterations makes the 16623 a compelling acquisition, particularly in well-preserved condition with original bracelet and documentation.