Why did Rolex use the name Yachtmaster in 1992 when omega already had several master brands?

emilycestmoi · Jan 20, 2020

This was a question that came up recently in my local redbar group and I'm curious if anyone has any insight.

Omega is somewhat synonymous with the "master" name for their watches: seamaster, speedmaster, railmaster, flightmaster.

So why did Rolex confusingly name their new watch the Yachtmaster in 1992?

Was it purely coincidental? Was Rolex trying to capitalize on Omega's branding? Was Rolex trying to take the name before Omega did?

I'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas!

Togri v. 2.0 · Jan 20, 2020

Why did Rolex name it the GMT-Master in 1954, when Omega already had a Seamaster line dating back to the late 40’s? Why did Omega name their Seamaster 300 the Seamaster 300, when they already had a Seamaster non-diver line and Rolex already had the GMT-line? Why do anyone name anything “Master” this or “Master” that? My guess is because it sounds f%#king awesome. It signifies that you “Master” something and “Master” also being part of an old naval officer title. Being a master means you rule something or someone. Having a watch that says “Master” on the dial makes you insanely cool. End of story. No further replies to this thread needed ::rimshot::

Tri-national-man · Jan 20, 2020

😁

Togri v. 2.0
Why did Rolex name it the GMT-Master in 1954, when Omega already had a Seamaster line dating back to the late 40’s? Why did Omega name their Seamaster 300 the Seamaster 300, when they already had a Seamaster non-diver line and Rolex already had the GMT-line? Why do anyone name anything “Master” this or “Master” that? My guess is because it sounds f%#king awesome. It signifies that you “Master” something and “Master” also being part of an old naval officer title. Being a master means you rule something or someone. Having a watch that says “Master” on the dial makes you insanely cool. End of story. No further replies to this thread needed

That was a masterful response

kip595 · Jan 20, 2020

In a way, I kinda suspect Togri is right. One of the Wesson's of Smith and Wesson supposedly suggested designating a new cartridge .357 MAGNUM (which is really a sort of .38 special on steroids in a longer shell casing) because he loved champagne and large bottles of champagne were called magnums, and now we use magnum for all sorts of 'tough/big' stuff. Master has sort of achieved that ubiquitousness, it seems.

khanmu · Jan 20, 2020

I’m a bit more curious about the “Yacht” bit - for the Mark 1, I could never see what it had over and above say a normal sub in terms of functionality, especially anything related to Sailing. At least the new one has a countdown timer anyway.

Longbow · Jan 20, 2020

Togri v. 2.0
Having a watch that says “Master” on the dial makes you insanely cool. End of story. No further replies to this thread needed

Well that’s a bit of a missed opportunity for a Master debate.

Some say the Rolex Submariner is the best all-round watch, but since it’s missing the key text in question I guess that makes it a Jack of all trades and master of none. But what to make of the Omega offerings?

Some Omegas have more masters than others. Omega used to allow Swiss Jewelers to co-sign their dials so a Seamaster from “Meister” would be a master-master. Then there’s the more contemporary offering of the Master Chronometers, so again master-masters. Following this approach you could end up with a Seamaster “Meister” Master Chronometer: a Master-Master-Master. So the question is can you have many masters or even too many masters?

As we Speed through the plethora of all these ego trips we might Rail against such nonsense and take Flight. Perhaps we should remind ourselves that, much like rings and highlanders, there can be only one. Enter the Globemaster, but as well known from Mr Bond, “The world is not enough” which neatly brings us to something even greater, a true master: A vintage Constellation.

janice&fred · Jan 20, 2020

Longbow
Some Omegas have more masters than others. Omega used to allow Swiss Jewelers to co-sign their dials so a Seamaster from “Meister” would be a master-master. Then there’s the more contemporary offering of the Master Chronometers, so again master-masters. Following this approach you could end up with a Seamaster “Meister” Master Chronometer: a Master-Master-Master. So the question is can you have many masters or even too many masters?

you forgot about the model Omega was proposing for the deck hands in charge of bait on the sport fishing boats participating in tuna tournaments. 😁

JwRosenthal · Jan 20, 2020

Longbow
Well that’s a bit of a missed opportunity for a Master debate.

Some say the Rolex Submariner is the best all-round watch, but since it’s missing the key text in question I guess that makes it a Jack of all trades and master of none. But what to make of the Omega offerings?

Some Omegas have more masters than others. Omega used to allow Swiss Jewelers to co-sign their dials so a Seamaster from “Meister” would be a master-master. Then there’s the more contemporary offering of the Master Chronometers, so again master-masters. Following this approach you could end up with a Seamaster “Meister” Master Chronometer: a Master-Master-Master. So the question is can you have many masters or even too many masters?

As we Speed through the plethora of all these ego trips we might Rail against such nonsense and take Flight. Perhaps we should remind ourselves that, much like rings and highlanders, there can be only one. Enter the Globemaster, but as well known from Mr Bond, “The world is not enough” which neatly brings us to something even greater, a true master: A vintage Constellation.

That just made my brain hurt

JwRosenthal · Jan 20, 2020

janice&fred
you forgot about the model Omega was proposing for the deck hands in charge of bait on the sport fishing boats participating in tuna tournaments. 😁

I thought they were proposing that name for a watch designed for the legal profession- it would be a chrono chiming watch that dings at 6 minute intervals.

blufinz52 · Jan 20, 2020

But are you master of your domain?

DaveK · Jan 20, 2020

The master debate continues....

Archer · Jan 20, 2020

emilycestmoi
So why did Rolex confusingly name their new watch the Yachtmaster in 1992?/QUOTE]

The same reason Rolex does most things - marketing.

Foo2rama · Jan 20, 2020

Why did Porsche release an Electric car with a trim level called Turbo?

why did BMW bend over backwards and change the name of one of its most iconic cars to make it fit BMW naming conventions of 4 doors odd numbers and 2 doors even numbers by renaming the M3 as an M4. Then 2 years later come out with a 4 door 6 series and 4 door 4 series?

Togri v. 2.0 · Jan 20, 2020

Longbow
Well that’s a bit of a missed opportunity for a Master debate.

Some say the Rolex Submariner is the best all-round watch, but since it’s missing the key text in question I guess that makes it a Jack of all trades and master of none. But what to make of the Omega offerings?

Some Omegas have more masters than others. Omega used to allow Swiss Jewelers to co-sign their dials so a Seamaster from “Meister” would be a master-master. Then there’s the more contemporary offering of the Master Chronometers, so again master-masters. Following this approach you could end up with a Seamaster “Meister” Master Chronometer: a Master-Master-Master. So the question is can you have many masters or even too many masters?

As we Speed through the plethora of all these ego trips we might Rail against such nonsense and take Flight. Perhaps we should remind ourselves that, much like rings and highlanders, there can be only one. Enter the Globemaster, but as well known from Mr Bond, “The world is not enough” which neatly brings us to something even greater, a true master: A vintage Constellation.

Grrrrrr.... I told you, no further replies to this thread 😡

bubu16 · Jan 20, 2020

And at times in my opinion, Master is a "superlative" adjective. Like the best among the group or something like that.😉

vbrad26 · Jan 20, 2020

Longbow
Well that’s a bit of a missed opportunity for a Master debate......

And I feel there was a bit of a missed opportunity for a joke here. I was expecting one at least...

Foo2rama
Why did Porsche release an Electric car with a trim level called Turbo?

why did BMW bend over backwards and change the name of one of its most iconic cars to make it fit BMW naming conventions of 4 doors odd numbers and 2 doors even numbers by renaming the M3 as an M4. Then 2 years later come out with a 4 door 6 series and 4 door 4 series?

This. This gets me fired up. When is the 2 series 4 door coming again?

bubu16 · Jan 20, 2020

"Master" Debate-pretty cerebral Brod-pun intended(lol).

Mad Dog · Jan 20, 2020

Speaking of “master”...check out what I received this last Christmas from the wife unit and our kid units. TMI? Probably. 😁

JwRosenthal · Jan 20, 2020

Mad Dog
Speaking of “master”...check out what I received this last Christmas from the wife unit and our kid units. TMI? Probably. 😁

...and there’s the poop joke! Knew this thread wasn’t complete yet. Thank you @Mad Dog for keeping us grounded.

flw · Jan 20, 2020

vbrad26
And I feel there was a bit of a missed opportunity for a joke here. I was expecting one at least...

This. This gets me fired up. When is the 2 series 4 door coming again?

I drive a REAL 2 series (with only two doors). I empathize.