A Rolex Submariner needs no introduction; all watch collectors know the iconic Rolex watch, its look, its history, and it's mythos. But within the extended Rolex watch collection exists a sports watch half brother of shockingly similar appearance and function; the Rolex Yacht Master.

Since 1992, the Yacht Master has been the aristocratic counterpart to the Rolex Sub, so what happens when we pit a blue blood/white gold Submariner that aims for the hearts and minds of Yacht Master buyers? Versus starts now!

The Rolex Submariner "Smurf" 116619LB was born at Baselworld 2008. This was an historic Rolex watch; the first "Cerachrom" ceramic bezel Submariner; the first "super case" Rolex Submariner; the first "Glidelock" clasp Rolex Sub; the first series production white gold Rolex Submariner. As with its steel counterpart, the white gold Sub is water resistant to 300 meters.

This white gold dive watch boasted a gloss lacquered blue dial that remains striking over a decade later; among Rolex sports watches, only the Rolex 116619LB still offers this distinctive dial. A matching gloss blue ceramic bezel insert in Rolex "Cerachrom" graces the unidirectional dive bezel. All hands and hour indices are composed of 18-karat white gold for resistance to tarnish, and a Cyclops Eye date magnifier serves both functional and branding purposes.

Rolex includes its 20mm "Glidelock" dive extension in its Oyster clasp. The system permits 2mm incremental adjustment to enable precise fit on the wrist as well as additional length for use over a diving suit.

The Rolex Yacht Master bowed at Basel 1992, but this 116622 in stainless steel and platinum arrived at Baselworld 2012. It features a bi-directional bezel for use timing the countdown to a match within a yacht regatta, and the bezel is constructed from platinum.

All other components of the Yacht-Master are composed of 904L stainless steel, a notably corrosion-resistant alloy made famous by Rolex. Although also 40mm in diameter, the shape of the Yacht-Master is more graceful and spare than the brutal "super case" lines of the Submariner. The Rolex Yacht-Master is water resistant to 100-meters, but its use of a Rolex Triplock crown suggests that reality might be even greater than the rated depth.

Each Rolex Yacht-Master 116622 includes an Oyster bracelet and Oyster clasp, but the internal mechanism includes a 5mm "Easylink" tool-free adjustment rather than the "Glidelock" system of the Rolex Sub.

The 116622 includes a vibrant sunburst blue dial with white gold hands and indices and a red lacquered seconds hand for precise reading of the countdown to a regatta match. The Cyclops Eye date magnifier matches that of the Sub.

Both Rolex watches features the manufacture caliber 3135. This automatic Swiss movement features a 48-hour power reserve, quickset date, and hacking (stop seconds). The 31 jewel movement includes a COSC Swiss chronometer certification in addition to Rolex's full-watch "Superlative Chronometer" certification of -2/+2 seconds per day of precision or better.

The Rolex caliber 3135 includes a full balance bridge, free sprung balance with Microstella variable inertia masses, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring composed of antimagnetic Parachrom Blue alloy.

The Rolex Submariner "Smurf" 116619LB is encased in 40mm of white gold surrounding a blue dial on a white gold bracelet. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The watch also measures 12.2mm in thickness and 48mm from lug-to-lug.

The Rolex Yacht Master 116622 is encased in 40mm of Oystersteel and platinum bezel surrounding a blue dial on an Oystersteel bracelet. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The watch also measures 11.6mm in thickness and 47.4mm from lug-to-lug.

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