The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The 2008 Fratello Watches article that carried this headline, written by Robert-Jan Broer and published on 27 November 2008, does not cover three watches. It discusses four Rolex models, and its euro figures are 2008 list prices and grey-market quotes, not current market prices. This guide sets out which watches the article compared, how the reviewer judged them, and what that comparison still helps a buyer weigh today.
What the 2008 article compared
The headline promises three watches, but the text adds a fourth comparison model: the GMT-Master IIc. The article’s review material originates with a reviewer named Percy (also listed as “PCS”), whose full review appeared on the German R-L-X Rolex forum. Broer’s Fratello piece summarises that review and adds his own observations.
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| Model | Reference named in the 2008 article | 2008 list price (as stated) | 2008 grey-market figure (as stated) | Verdict quoted in the 2008 article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolex Cosmograph Daytona | 116520 | €7,200 | About €8,000; described as hard to get in 2008 | No verdict quoted in the summary |
| Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea | Not stated in the 2008 article | Not stated in the 2008 article | €6,500 to €7,000, below list | “the toolwatch in FULL effect” |
| Rolex Yacht-Master (Rolesium, steel and platinum) | 16622 | €7,200 | About €5,500 for new grey-market stock | “most bang for the buck” with a fair discount |
| Rolex GMT-Master IIc | 116710 | €5,350 | About €5,000 | “The Perfect One” |
All price figures above are the 2008 article’s own numbers, recorded at that time. They describe the 2008 market only.
The four models, one by one
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520
The article gives the Daytona’s 2008 catalogue list price as €7,200 and describes the watch as difficult to obtain that year, with grey-market offers around €8,000. It is the only model in the piece framed mainly by availability rather than by a quoted judgement. For the Daytona’s current function and positioning, see the comparison section below.
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Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea
The article presents the Deepsea as a model Rolex had introduced at the Basel fair shortly before the review. Grey-market offers in 2008 were reported at roughly €6,500 to €7,000, below list. Percy’s summary line, “the toolwatch in FULL effect,” is a subjective assessment of the watch’s diver character, not a measurement. Broer states that he personally found the Deepsea oversized for his own wrist and disliked the taper of its bracelet. That is his individual reaction, not a general finding about comfort.
Rolex Yacht-Master 16622
The article covers the steel-and-platinum Rolesium version of the Yacht-Master. Its 2008 list price was €7,200, and new grey-market stock was reported around €5,500. The reviewer’s phrase “most bang for the buck” is conditional: it applies to a buyer who obtains the watch at a fair discount. The article also dates the gold Yacht-Master to 1992 and places the introduction of Rolesium in 1997.
Broer discloses that he bought a used 2004 Yacht-Master with box and papers in 2007. He describes how the platinum dial looks in direct sunlight compared with indoor lighting. This is his own experience with one watch, not an independent test.
Rolex GMT-Master IIc 116710
The GMT-Master IIc is the article’s added comparison model. Its 2008 list price was €5,350, and the approximate market price was around €5,000. The article highlights its ceramic bezel and the way that bezel turns. Percy’s judgement, “The Perfect One,” is a personal verdict from 2008 and should be read as the reviewer’s taste rather than a ranking.
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How the review judged the watches
According to Broer’s summary, the full review covers the bracelet, clasp, case and function of each watch, and includes comparison photographs of size, shape and side profile. The quoted verdicts are short and subjective: one favours value, one favours overall character, and one praises a single model outright. None is an objective test, and none was written as a current market assessment. A reader who wants to use them should treat them as the views of one reviewer, at one point in time.
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- SWIM-READY DURABILITY: This bracelet watch for women is water resistant up to 50m (165ft), wearable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering but not diving or snorkeling; 5 ATM
Why the 2008 prices do not carry over
The euro amounts in the article belong to 2008, and this guide does not restate them as current prices. No current German list prices, used-market prices or stock levels for these references were checked, so none are given here.
Rolex’s current collection still lists the families named in the article: Daytona, Sea-Dweller, Deepsea, GMT-Master II and Yacht-Master. That confirms the families are active. It does not confirm that references 116520, 16622 or 116710 are in production today, and it does not establish their availability.
Two 2026 developments are relevant for current buyers, though neither applies retroactively to the 2008 references:
- Rolex Newsroom announced a 2026 exclusive Cosmograph Daytona configuration in Rolesium, the combination of Oystersteel and platinum.
- Rolex has extended its Superlative Chronometer certification in 2026 to seven criteria, including resistance to magnetic fields, reliability and longevity. This describes the newer certification standard and does not change the specification of the 116520 reference from 2008.
Comparing these models for today’s use
Rolex’s own product descriptions frame the four families by function rather than by ranking. The table below uses those official descriptions as the basis for comparison.
| Family | Primary function per Rolex’s product material | Key feature to check on any example |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmograph Daytona | Chronograph for timing intervals and measuring speed with its tachymeter scale. Rolex’s Newsroom describes the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona as standing “for speed and performance.” | Chronograph function and tachymeter scale condition |
| GMT-Master II | Displays two time zones at once, using a 24-hour hand and a rotatable bezel, with the hour hand set independently for local time | Bezel action and whether the independent hour hand is working |
| Sea-Dweller and Deepsea | Positioned by Rolex in its professional diving line; the Deepsea was launched in 2008 as the 2008 article describes | Case size on your wrist and the condition of the bracelet taper |
| Yacht-Master | Positioned in the nautical line; Rolesium steel-and-platinum versions are the ones discussed in the 2008 article | Dial and metal finish under your own lighting |
Choosing between these depends on what the watch is for. Timing intervals points to the Daytona, two time zones to the GMT-Master II, and diving use to the Sea-Dweller or Deepsea. The Yacht-Master suits a buyer who wants a nautical look in a precious-metal mix. Wrist size matters more than any of these labels, so try the case on the wrist before deciding.
Quick Recap
Checks before comparing any used example
- Confirm the reference number and production year against the case and papers. The 2008 article names references, and a sale listing should match them.
- Check originality: dial, hands, bezel, bracelet and clasp should be original to the reference.
- Ask for the box and papers, and for any service history.
- Compare the asking price with current dealer listings, not with 2008 figures.
- Check the seller’s track record and return terms before paying.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
