why is rolex yacht master 2 not popular

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Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II.

A detailed comparison on these two luxurious Rolex sport watches.

The Yachtmaster II and Yachtmaster 40mm are both great sports watches especially with professional sailors and yacht racers. They both are classy and sporty at the same time. But what are the key differences and what makes these two watches special in their own way? Have a look below at a detailed description of the differences.

Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II

Let's take a look at one of the latest and most spoken about Rolex Yachtmaster watches, the 116655. This watch is a special watch for many reasons. Namely, this is a historical landmark for Rolex since it is the first Rolex watch to ever use a rubber strap. Most people wouldn't bat an eye at the idea of a Rolex with a rubber strap so why the fuss? This is not any typical rubber strap. Rolex has been raving about this new rubber Oysterflex bracelet which is not only very comfortable to wear, it is also hypoallergenic.

The research and development team at Rolex has engineered a bracelet that is as easy to wear as a rubber bracelet but also holds its shape like a metal bracelet. They do this by using nickel-and-titanium inserts inside the band. They also instituted a patented shape on the inside of the bracelet which has a cushioning system built-in to it which allows the bracelet to take the natural shape of a wrist making the Oysterflex possible the most comfortable rubber watch band. An Oysterlock safety clasp keeps the watch from opening and looks stunning in 18ct Everose gold. Everose gold is a patented 18kt pink gold alloy that is unique to Rolex watches and has been used with all their pink gold oyster cases since 2005.

You'll also find a black matte Cerachrom dial which is a hardened ceramic material that is a tough and highly scratch resistant material that has anticorrosive properties and is impervious to discoloration from exposure to Ultra Violet rays. Perfect for spending your days relaxing on the deck of a luxury yacht.

The dial on the Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 with its cyclops date magnifier could be passed as that of a Submariner if it weren't for all the Everose gold used. You can find this material used on the rims of the index hour markers, the Rolex logo, and luminous filled hands. You won't find rose gold on the dial of any watch in the Submariner series (yet?). The combination of black and Everose gold is a real eye-grabber giving this the look of a really luxurious watch.

What's running inside this stunning watch? The Yacht-Master 40mm runs off an automatic Rolex perpetual movement, the Rolex caliber 3135. This 31 jewel movement beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of about 50 hours.

Rolex Yachtmaster II

At a glance, this watch is an impressive piece of eye-candy with a polished case and two-tone rose gold and stainless steel bracelet. The design used vibrant colors from the blue Cerachrom bezel to the rose gold pushers and patented Triplock crown. The white dial is equally full of harmonic colors with blue steel hour, minute and subdial seconds hands and rose gold and red chronograph hands. A rose gold rimmed sub-dial and applied rose gold rimmed index hour markers tie it all together.

A unique feature of the Yachtmaster II is the regatta chronograph and features the world's first mechanical programmable countdown with a memory. You can accurately sync the watch with the starting sequence of a yacht race.

Unlike most bezels which don't operate as a component of the movement, the easy-to-use and bi-directional Ring Command bezel on the Yachtmaster II operates in conjunction with the regatta chronograph as an integral component of the movement. This bezel is the method in which you can synchronize the countdown timer to the start times of a race. Each time you press the button you can adjust the timer by one-minute increments for up to a 10-minute countdown timer. When you adjust the rotating bezel back to its default middle position, it resets the chronograph back to its main function.

This COSC certified Swiss chronometer is the self-winding caliber 4161 automatic movement beats at 28,800 vph and is completely manufactured by Rolex. This movement features the Rolex antimagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. After receiving a COSC certified chronometer certification, the movement the goes through a thorough in-house chronometric testing once installed into a watch case. Once the watch achieves a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day in the case, it gets a Rolex Superlative Chronometer designation. Even with all these mechanical features, the 31 jewel caliber 4161 movement holds its power for 72 hours.

Rolex Yacht-Master VS Yacht-Master II - Side By Side Comparison

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Almost Obscure: The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689

Published by mike razak.

View all posts by Mike Razak

Rolex does not simply release watches on a whim. New models are rare, and updates to existing models are often minor, sometimes not even warranting an announcement. Regardless of timing or subtlety, everything The Crown does is met with scrutiny and drama. So, too, it was when the Yacht-Master II was released in 2007. The watch was met with mixed reactions: With an obscure complication that no one really asked for and the largest case in Rolex’s catalog, some thought it sullied the robust elegance of its forebear. Others rightfully praised its technical innovations. Fast forward more than a decade and the model seems to have won out: the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 seen here (and its sister references) remains in the Rolex catalog and is a favorite among those seeking a Rolex with a bit more panache and functionality than the standard Submariner.

When the original Yacht-Master was introduced in 1992, it was Rolex’s first entirely new model since the Sea-Dweller in 1967. The watch was an immediate hit with the seagoing elite, and has remained incredibly popular, with a variety of colorways and sizes released to satisfy demand.  Then, in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was released. Rolex spent over 35,000 hours designing the movement for the watch, which was designed to aid skippers in tracking the starting sequence of a regatta, including a novel integrated bezel and programmable countdown timer with memory function. Two models were part of the original release: the 116688 in solid 18kt gold with a blue ceramic bezel and the 116689 in 18kt white gold with an embossed platinum bezel.  

Design Details

At 44mm wide and 14mm thick, the Yacht-Master II features the largest production case Rolex offers. Despite its size, the watch is good to just 100m of water resistance—certainly sufficient for most aquatic adventures, but a subtle hint that Yacht-Master II is aimed at those who plan to remain aboard. The solid 18k white gold case and bracelet of the 116689 remain classic Rolex: polished throughout, with gentle curves, it gives way to the dual-finished Oyster bracelet, which features an Oysterlock clasp and Easylink 5mm extension for fine-tuned sizing. The patented Triplock crown and its guards maintain the aesthetic, with ringed chronograph pushers at its flanks. A white gold bezel—dubbed the Ring Command bezel for its added functionality—features a frosted platinum insert with embossed, polished numerals and model name. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal. 

Despite the watch’s functionality, Rolex has kept things extremely legible with a clean white dial. Square hour markers are applied and filled with the brand’s proprietary Chromalight lume. At 9 o’clock, the Crown logo is accompanied by the traditional Rolex dial text. At 6 o’clock, a running seconds subdial features a radial finished ring. The hands are all blued, with the hour and minute featuring lume; the minute hand has a cutout to allow for better timing legibility. In a large arc bounded by bright blue, the 10-minute regatta scale lines up perfectly with both the applied markers and the bezel. The countdown time is displayed by a bright red chronograph sweep hand and a lumed triangle minute hand.

To set the countdown timer, turn the Ring Command bezel 90 degrees counterclockwise, press the 4 o’clock pusher, and use the crown to set the desired interval (the triangle hand will snap back to 0 if pushed past 10). After rotating the bezel back, the watch’s pushers operate similarly to a normal chronograph. But Rolex has added two unique functions. When the timer is set, the initial countdown time is memorized: if the countdown is 7 minutes and needs to be restarted, stopping and resetting the timer will return it to 7 minutes. Equally impressive, the watch can be resynchronized to the official race countdown if necessary: pressing the reset pusher without stopping the timer will jump the timing hand to the nearest minute. 

Inner Workings

Powering the Rolex Yacht-Master II is the automatic Rolex 4161 caliber, based on the 4130 chronograph movement (seen in the Daytona). Comprising over 360 components, including 44 jewels, the movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a robust 72 hours of power (a number of the constituent parts are so small, they require specialized micromanufacturing mastered in-house by Rolex). The watch is further equipped with Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock system, together delivering exceptional antimagnetism and shock resistance. As with all modern Rolex movements, the 4161 is certified to their Superlative Chronometer standards, accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day. 

Instead of the traditional chronograph functions of its base movement, the 4161 has been retooled to allow for use as a countdown timer. In conjunction with a vertical clutch, a column wheel extends through the main plate, allowing for the programmable countdown. Additional reworking has added instantaneous re-synchronization functionality and countdown memory; and as discussed above, the bezel is coupled to the movement to allow its use as a locking mechanism for the timer (though considering the bezel part of the movement might be a stretch). All of these decidedly niche features make for one of the most complicated Rolex calibers ever made. 

Versus the Competition

Watches and regattas have been linked for quite some time, and indeed many brands sponsor teams, races, or entire series. Omega and TAG Heuer have both released limited edition America’s Cup watches featuring countdown mechanisms. Panerai makes the Luminor 1950 Regatta Chrono Flyback and Ulysse Nardin has its Marine Regatta model. Of course, sometimes only a Rolex will do, in which case one can opt for the timing function of the Daytona, the Ring Command bezel of the Sky-Dweller, or the nouveau riche appeal of the original Yacht-Master. 

Personality

While the original Yacht-Master appealed to the owners of superyachts by providing a higher-end alternative to the Submariner, the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 builds on that appeal with the added bona fides of regatta timing functionalities. In the white gold execution, it’s perhaps best suited to the sailing enthusiast with who enjoys the occasional regatta and may even partake in one from time to time, but also likes a splash of luxury on the wrist and isn’t afraid to let others know.  

Final Thoughts

Be it as it may an undeniable piece of luxury sailing kit, the Yacht-Master II does what only a few Rolexes do: provides both the exceptional quality the brand is known for and unique functionality. For that alone, the model is well worth a look.

See More of the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689

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Hands-On The Rolex Yachtmaster II Regatta Timer, Ref. 116680

The rolex yacht-master ii: for those who consider themselves rolex enthusiasts, it's one of the most polarizing watches the crown produces. and yet there is more – much more – to this relative behemoth than meets the eye. we wanted to see what would happen if we met this technically unique, programmable flyback yacht timer chronograph on its own terms – read on to join us in our journey into one of the most idiosyncratically styled and mechanically sophisticated rolexes ever made..

I’m going to be completely honest: I was thoroughly prepared to have a negative reaction to this watch. Let’s face it; it’s a head-scratcher for the average Rolex/Submariner/GMT Master/Day-Date lover. First of all it’s pretty damned big. This is a 44 mm watch; it was born a 44 mm watch and it’ll die a 44 mm watch and that is nothing you or anybody else can do about it. You can have it in four different metals, and therefore, weights, ranging from steel (heavy) to gold/steel (heavier) to solid yellow gold (even heavier) to  platinum and white gold combined (Schwarzeneggerian). It has a Cerachrom bezel in an absolutely screaming shade of blue, and it says YACHT-MASTER in giant letters right across the bottom third or so just to remove any lingering shade of doubt in the minds of any small-craft skipper for leagues around that they are in the presence of, well, the Master of a Yacht; it is not an introverted watch by any stretch of the imagination.

On top of everything else, the Yacht-Master II has a complication that pretty much no watch guy or gal ever can remember what do with, or has a perceived need for: it is a regatta timer, which is about as niche a complication as you can imagine. If you get a bunch of watch nuts together there is an excellent chance that you can get a more lucid explanation out of somebody for the Equation of Time than you can for a regatta timer (which is saying something) and it says something about the relative obscurity of the complication in general, and the relative niche-ness of the Yacht-Master II in particular, that when we got it into the office we had five people who live and breathe watches sitting around scratching our heads because no one could quite remember how the darned thing works. You put all those things together and you should have a watch that a dyed-in-the-wool horological classicist should thoroughly disdain. Right?

Actually, wrong. But let’s back up a bit.

First of all this is technically a very interesting watch and it’s worth your attention just on the level of interesting horological problem solving alone. A regatta timer is used by the skipper of a yacht to determine when their vessel is allowed to cross the starting line. Sailboats can’t just hover at the starting line of a yacht race, so what happens is that the racing committee establishes a countdown period during which the boats have to tack back and forth at the starting line without actually crossing; if you cross early, there is a penalty and if you are too cautious and cross late you will probably cross the finish line behind the boats that made it over the start line ahead of you. The countdown can be anywhere from five to ten minutes depending on the rules and race.

The Yacht-Master II is a programmable, flyback regatta timer that allows you to select a countdown interval of anything from one to ten minutes; in addition if you have started the countdown early or late, you can synchronize your watch “on the fly” when you hear the second of the two audible signals which are usually given at the start of a race (the signal to start the countdown comes first, and is usually followed by a warning signal closer to the start). Here’s how it works.

To set the countdown timer, you turn the bezel (Rolex calls it the "Command Bezel") a quarter turn to the left. This locks the lower chrono pusher and engages the setting mechanism for the triangular red countdown hand. You then unscrew the crown to its first position, and set the countdown hand – setting is one-way only but at 10 minutes, if you continue to turn the crown, the countdown hand will fly back to 1 and you can continue until you reach the desired number of minutes. When you’re done, you screw the crown back down, and turn the bezel back to its starting position, and you’re ready to regatta.

When the first gun (or other audible signal) is heard, you start the countdown . . . and that’s it. Now a really neat trick here is that you may, for some reason, have started your countdown too early, or too late. If that’s the case, all you have to do is wait for the second gun/signal, and hit the re-set button – the seconds hand will fly back to the zero mark and begin running again immediately; and the minute countdown hand will fly back to the nearest minute and likewise start counting down again. It’s the fact that the flyback is to the nearest minute, not to zero, that allows you to re-synch your countdown with the official countdown time, that gives the Yacht-Master II much of its utility, and much of its technical interest.

Okay, sure it’s technically interesting – but what about the aesthetics? All I can tell you is that, much to my very pleasant surprise, it was colossally fun to wear in every sense of the word. The fact that it is so unapologetically extroverted is actually the secret to its appeal.  The weight isn't a problem (at least, not for me, and not in steel) and I found I could wear it all day without discomfort despite the overall size – partly thanks to the downward curvature of the lugs, which ensured a comfortable fit on my 7 inch wrist.  The sharply contrasting deep blued hands, white dial, and red countdown hand – and, yes, that bright blue bezel – give the whole watch a suitably jaunty, nautical feel and make it a pleasure to look at (and at night visibility is very good; the lume on the hands and dial is almost startlingly bright).

Yes, this is an extroverted watch, but the quality of execution is very clean and very high (as is usually the case with Rolex) and it’s so much the opposite of what I’d ordinarily wear that having it on gave a feeling almost like a Walter Mitty fantasy coming to life. I felt like a guy who’s worn a blue suit and rep tie and driven a four door Merc his whole life, who somehow one day finds himself in a pair of ripped jeans and a beat up flight jacket, cruising down some winding secondary road on an old shovelhead Harley, and suddenly catches himself thinking, My god, all the wasted years. Ultimately I started to feel that objecting to the over-the-top-ness  of the Yacht-Master II was silly, even narcissistic – if you go into a Joss Whedon actioner expecting a Lars Von Trier art-house tearjerker to unspool, you probably have only yourself to blame.

It is a rationally appealing uitlitarian tool watch? I'm not the one to ask. There is no way for me to evaluate what someone who actually owns a ’36 Herreshoff classic yacht and takes it on the regatta circuit would actually think of the Yacht-Master II, or whether they would find it useful. But I can tell you that it is actually a ton of fun to wear, and a big part of the reason is the very thing many object to at first – that this is a watch that pulls no punches when it comes to being larger than life.

It has that one most essential element for something to be a successful style exercise: the courage of its convictions, and if you think of yourself resolutely as a smaller-than-forty millimeter, tasteful restraint kinda guy, get one on your wrist for a surprisingly refreshing change of pace, and you can feel larger than life too.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 as shown, $18,750, 44 mm diameter case in 904L stainless steel. Bidirectional rotatable "Command Bezel" with blue Cerachrom insert; water resistance 100 meters/10 bar.

Movement, Rolex 4161 self-winding programmable flyback regatta timer with mechanical memory and "on-the-fly" synchronization; Parachrom blue antimagnetic balance spring.  

Bracelet, Oyster, flat three piece links with Oysterlock safety clasp.

More info, of course, on Rolex.com .

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Top 10 Facts About Rolex Yacht-Master II – Interesting Things to Know

The Yacht-Master II, also called Yacht-Master 2 is one of Rolex’s most complicated watches. Together with the Sky-Dweller, the Yacht-Master II makes up what are the two most complicated watches in Rolex’s collection.

We have already looked at the most interesting facts about the Yacht-Master in this article, but this time, we’re taking a closer look at the Yacht-Master II.

The fact is that the Yacht-Master II is far from Rolex’s most popular or well-known model. It’s a rather niche watch that is built for a specific purpose, is quite large, and doesn’t appeal to everyone. Technically, it’s a very impressive watch, but its niche:d design makes it a watch that is often forgotten and neglected in favor of other, more recognized models.

But still, this model deserves recognition due to its great complexity and innovative characteristics. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in this article. Below, we take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about the Yacht-Master II.

Top most interesting facts about the Rolex Yacht-Master II

1. the yacht-master ii has been made in several metal configurations.

Despite being a watch that has been in the backseat and often neglected, Rolex has consistently released new versions in the form of different materials. The Yacht-Master II has been made in full white gold, stainless steel, yellow gold, and steel, rose gold and steel, and yellow gold. The only executions it has not been made in is full rose gold ( Everose ) and full platinum.

So despite it not being a very popular model (relatively speaking), Rolex has still continued to release new versions and variants to keep and boost the public’s interest in it.

2. The Yacht-Master II is one of Rolex’s largest watches

The Yacht-Master II is at the top of Rolex’s watches when we talk about size. It is a rather hefty timepiece that makes a bold statement on the wrist, measuring 44mm in diameter. Only the Deepsea Sea-Dweller has the same diameter of 44mm.

Moreover, in terms of design, the Yacht-Master is a very eye-catching model that stands out and grabs people’s attention. Combine this with its large size and you have a  very bold timepiece.

3. The Yacht-Master II is a spin-off of the Yacht-Master

Rolex has long had a closer relationship with yachting. But for a long time, they didn’t have a watch that was dedicated to the sport. And so in 1992, Rolex released its first yachting-dedicated watch, the Yacht-Master. The thing is that the Yacht-Master didn’t have a lot of truly useful functions for yachters. It has a bi-directional rotating bezel that can be used to time different things. But apart from that, it doesn’t do much except for telling the time.

The Yacht-Master II, on the other hand, is a completely different story. This watch is developed to be truly useful by yachters and features multiple functions such as a regatta timer.

So whilst the Yacht-Master and the Yacht-Master II don’t look similar to each other, they are both built for the same purpose. And the yacht-Master II is based on the concept and idea of the Yacht-Master, just developed to be more practical as a useful tool rather than solely a stylish accessory.

4. The Yacht-Master II was first launched in 2007

The Yacht-Master was launched in 1992 but the upgraded version, the Yacht-Master II was launched in 2007. 

The watch became the world’s first watch with a programmable countdown timer and a mechanical memory. As already discussed, the watch was developed specifically for sportsmen to use while regatta racing. This meant incorporating functions that were truly useful for these athletes.

5. The Yacht-Master II is only available in one size

Unlike the Yacht-Master which is available in two sizes (and has been available in multiple sizes further back in history), the Yacht-Master is only made in one size, 44mm. There are several reasons for this. But most importantly, it has to do with the complexity of all the functions. It’s a complex watch with a complex mechanism that cannot be cramped into a smaller case just by taking the movement and putting it into a different case.

Moreover, since this watch is intended as a tool, one size is considered sufficient.

6. The Yacht-Master II is one of Rolex’s most complex watches

The Yacht-Master II is packed with functions and features and therefore has a very complex mechanical movement.

The Yacht-Master II has a programmable countdown timer which is used to measure how much time is left until the start of the race. The regatta programmable countdown chronograph can be selected between one and ten minutes. When the chronograph starts, the countdown is accurately timed.

Moreover, it has a flyback and fly-forward function that allows for easier synchronization if they have to restart the race sequence.

Simply put, the Yacht-Master II is the world’s first watch that is equipped with a programmable countdown timer and a mechanical memory.

4. The Yacht-Master II is one of Rolex’s youngest models

It’s not often that Rolex releases a new model so when they do, it’s quite a big deal. Rolex frequently upgrades and revises its existing models but these changes are often just minor changes. Releasing a completely new model only happens every tenth year or so at a maximum.

Being released in 2007, although it may sound like a long time ago, it’s not very long if we are talking in Rolex terms. The only model that Rolex released after that is the Sky-Dweller in 2012 .

5. Rolex updated the movement of the Yacht-Master II in 2013

Whilst Rolex doesn’t frequently release new models, they do relatively frequently revise and improve its existing models. One such event for the Yacht-Master was in 2013 when Rolex changed the movement of the Yacht-Master II from caliber 4160 to caliber 4161 . This was an upgraded and improved movement with better performance.

6. The Yacht-Master II features a Ring Command bezel

Ring Command means that the bezel is “integrated” into the movement. In other words, when the bezel rotates, it puts the movement into different positions. The 10 minutes countdown can be set solely by rotating the bezel counterclockwise. The bezel is so cleverly developed is developed so the countdown feature can be locked and unlocked by rotating the bezel 90 degrees. The fact of the matter is that the Ring Command bezel is one of the first watches in the world to have a bezel that worked together with the movement. Only the Sky-Dweller has the same functionality, which was released several years later.

In other words, the bezel is an integrated part of the movement which makes the watch easier and more practical to use.

7. It took many years before the Yacht-Master II was made in steel

Originally, the Yacht-Master was exclusively available in solid gold, making it both expensive and uncommon. Rolex wanted to profit off of this movement as much as possible and it was likely therefore that Rolex exclusively launched the model in full gold, both yellow and white gold with references 116688 and 116689. Most likely, this was due to the huge costs associated with developing such a complicated movement.

But in 2011, Rolex released a bi-color version in Everose gold and steel, and in 2013, for the first time ever, in full stainless steel.

8. The movement of the Yacht-Master II took nearly four years to complete

This is one of the reasons why Rolex doesn’t release new models very frequently. At least not with completely new movements. The fact is that the Yacht-Master II movement took nearly four years to develop, approximately 35,000 hours. Being one of the most complicated movements Rolex has ever created, it’s not surprising that the research and development behind it are extensive.

9. The movement consists of 360 parts

This goes to show the great complexity of this movement, both to develop but also to assemble. It explains why it took nearly four years to create it and is also part of the explanation of why it is so expensive.

10. The Yacht-Master has clever functions

We have already talked about the functionality of the Yacht-Master but one particularly clever feature that the yacht-Master has is the Regatta synchronization. If the wearer has started the countdown too early or too late, it is possible to synchronize it by pressuring the start/stop button at the 2 o’clock position. You can also use the reset button at the 4 o’clock position to reposition the countdown hand to the nearest minute, whilst the seconds countdown hand returns to 0.

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A buying guide to most popular Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Guide To Popular Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Rolex debuted the Yacht-Master watch in 1992 as a luxury sports watch crafted in precious gold yet durable enough for an active life at sea. The nautical-inspired Rolex watch featured a rotating timing bezel, a water-resistance rating of 100 meters, and a time and date dial. The Yacht-Master shared many design traits with the famed Submariner watch—such as a similar dial layout, case silhouette, and bracelet style—but it was a touch more luxurious thanks to its own set of design details. Over the course of its history, the Rolex Yacht-Master collection has expanded into a varied lineup with watches offered in several sizes, materials, and colors. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular Rolex Yacht-Master watches, ranging from discontinued models to current-production ones.

Where it all began:

The very first Yacht-Master model that Rolex released was a full yellow gold version. It sported a 40mm yellow gold case, a yellow gold rotating bezel with raised numerals, and a yellow gold three-link Oyster bracelet. Two years later in 1994, Rolex followed it up with two other yellow gold models—a ladies’ 29mm version and a midsize 35mm version. While Rolex no longer produces full yellow gold Yacht-Master models, they remain popular in the secondary market.

In 2015, Rolex introduced the very first Everose gold (the brand’s own rose gold pink alloy) Yacht-Master. However, rather than a full gold model, the Everose gold Yacht-Master models (available in 40mm and 37mm) included black ceramic bezels with raised numerals and a brand new black rubber-clad metal band called the Oysterflex bracelet. Dial options include sleek black and lavish diamond-paved. It’s also worth mentioning that there are some rare Everose gold Yacht-Master 40 models furnished with rotating bezels set with multi-colored precious gems (diamond, sapphire, and tsavorite). 

Here is a flamboyant version of it of the Everose gold Yacht-Master 40:

Finally, in 2019, Rolex released the first white gold Yacht-Master watch. Not only is this the only white gold Yacht-Master model ever made, but with its 42mm case, it is also the largest. 

Similar to the Everose gold model, the white gold Yacht-Master is fitted with a black ceramic bezel and black Oysterflex bracelet, along with a black dial. 

Prices (current collection):

• Everose Gold Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268655: $23,250 - 41,000
• Everose Gold Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126655: $27,300 – 47,150
• White Gold Yacht-Master 40 ref. 226659: $28,900

Rolesium Rolex Yacht-Master Models

In 1999, Rolex presented a new metal combination the brand called Rolesium, which brings together stainless steel and platinum on one watch. Like the yellow gold models, the Rolesium Yacht-Master models were offered in 40mm, 35mm, and 29mm versions. 

Regardless of the size, all the watches include stainless steel cases, stainless steel Oyster bracelets, and platinum rotating bezels with raised numerals. Particular popular versions of the Rolesium Yacht-Master watches are those with sandblasted platinum dials—although discontinued, these platinum dial Yacht-Masters are still widely available in the pre-owned market. 

Currently, Rolex still makes steel and platinum Yacht-Master watches. However, size options have been scaled down to 40mm and 37mm since Rolex stopped making 29mm or 35mm versions of the Yacht-Master around 2015. The Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 offers the choice between a rhodium gray or a blue dial while the Rolesium Yacht-Master 37 only comes with a rhodium gray dial. 

Prices (current collection): 

• Rolesium Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268622: $11,250
• Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622: $12,000

Rolesor Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Rolesor is the term Rolex gives to its models that mix gold and steel details—better known as two-tone watches. The first two-tone Yacht-Master watches, which featured steel cases topped with yellow gold bezels and steel Oyster bracelets with yellow gold center links, were launched in the mid-1990s. However, Rolesor Yacht-Master watches were first only offered in midsize (35mm) and ladies (29mm) sizes. The men’s 40mm two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel Yacht-Master joined the lineup in the early 2000s. Rolex stopped making yellow gold and steel Yacht-Master models a few years back but the brand has replaced them with another Rolesor option—two-tone Everose gold and steel ones. The current-production two-tone Yacht-Master models include stainless steel cases topped with Everose gold bezels and stainless steel Oyster bracelets with Everose gold center links. The Everose Rolesor models are available with 40mm or 37mm cases and both sizes offer the option between a black or brown dial. 

• Everose Rolesor Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268621: $13,150 
• Everose Rolesor Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126621: $14,500

In less than three decades, the Yacht-Master has grown to become Rolex’s most diverse sports watch collection, offering a vast assortment of sizes and styles for both men and women. From the discontinued models to the current-production ones, the Yacht-Master’s distinct combination of luxury and robustness has paved the way for its enduring popularity.

Find out more:

To find out more about which Rolex hold their value you can read more of our guides where we cover all Rolex Nicknames or our classic guide to the Day Date models and our comparision with their sister brand: Rolex vs Tudor .

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Why isn't the Yachtmaster I more popular?

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Rolex noob here. I've been eyeing a Yachtmaster I for the longest time. Can someone tell me why it never appreciated as much as a 25 year old Submariner? Based on precious metals content alone, the Yachtmaster I seems like it should be worth more than a Sub. I know you can write a whole treatise on why Submariners are in high demand, but I'm just curious as to why the Yachtmaster never saw that level of popularity after it was discontinued?  

Your girlfriend is purdy!  

Too heavy, too Blingy and too overpriced.  

It looks too much like a.Grand Invicta.  

olikatz said: ... but I'm just curious as to why the Yachtmaster never saw that level of popularity after it was discontinued? Click to expand...

Strike that.  

It is not that the Yachtmaster isn't popular. It's just that the Submariner is super duper popular and in very high demand. The Submariner is the quintessential dive watch, the dive watch where all other dive watches are compared to. On the other hand, no company makes a sailing or yachting watch. I see the occasional YM in the marina. It's for old men and rich ladies to wear their beater sports Rolex. [emoji23] By the way, the YM isn't discontinued. You must be thinking that since the YM II is out. Just check out the Rolex page and you can see that the standard YM is still around in a different colour dial or different case material, mostly gold or platinum. At the end of the day, I think it's a matter of personal preference. They are a Rolex after all. Buy it if you like it.  

Dogbert_is_fat said: ...On the other hand, no company makes a sailing or yachting watch. I see the occasional YM in the marina. It's for old men and rich ladies to wear their beater sports Rolex. [emoji23] ... Click to expand...

You or I have no idea just what the sales figures are for the Yachtmaster, or any other model for that matter, as Rolex doesn't release sales figures for specific models. What you can surmise is that YM owners don't feel the need to congregate on internet watch forums in any large numbers, posting photos and bragging about their acquisitions and wondering about the rising and falling secondary market prices. If Rolex is still offering them, you might conclude that sales are high enough to warrant continued production, whatever that number is.  

Kawika said: You or I have no idea just what the sales figures are for the Yachtmaster, or any other model for that matter, as Rolex doesn't release sales figures for specific models. What you can surmise is that YM owners don't feel the need to congregate on internet watch forums in any large numbers, posting photos and bragging about their acquisitions and wondering about the rising and falling secondary market prices. If Rolex is still offering them, you might conclude that sales are high enough to warrant continued production, whatever that number is. Click to expand...

My opinion only, the YM costs more and doesn't have a unidirectional bezel or as good of water resistance as a sub so for the price difference I'd rather have a sub.  

100,200,300, 3900m what difference is it going to make to you?  

Im all for YM 40. Especially in second hand market. I wouldn’t buy one new. It still has slim case and interesting dial color options compared to current sub (everyone’s uncles & cousins own one).  

The rhodium dial Yachtmaster is simply stunning. I actually think it does a better job than the Submariner in being the one watch to have (if you only want one watch). It bridges the dressy (with the polished centre links) and casual. Personally I would have the numbers indented like the sub rather than raised. May be with the edges of the numbers chamfered to make it more dressy.  

The Submariner has a more adventurous ethos, gotten from history and Hollywood. Navy Seals, underwater explorers, and James Bond all wore Submariners. The YM can’t match that. We live in an informal age. The YM is a little too flashy for most. I really loved and miss the white dial YM.  

LINVS said: The Submariner has a more adventurous ethos, gotten from history and Hollywood. Navy Seals, underwater explorers, and James Bond all wore Submariners. The YM can't match that. We live in an informal age. Click to expand...

Simple answer: price. Based on 2019 price list, a Sub Date is 7,800 € versus a YM SS-Platinum 10,800 € wich is 550 € less than the price of a Daytona C 11,350 €. De facto, a models in the lower bracket prices being accessible to more people is more scarce due to higher sales and higher demand. Even the TT YM is more expensive than the TT Sub, that's 13,100 € versus 12,350 €, not a big difference, but still enough to consider that Rolex has placed the YM at a different level.  

YM has a higher level of finishing and comfort compared to the sub. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

I have the rhodium YM I along with subs. The YM is a pretty nice watch. As has been stated, it’s the Thurston Howell, III of the Sub line and was meant to be so. I wear it with a suit to work all of the time and save my Subs for the weekend.  

playinwittime said: I have the rhodium YM I along with subs. The YM is a pretty nice watch. As has been stated, it's the Thurston Howell, III of the Sub line and was meant to be so. I wear it with a suit to work all of the time and save my Subs for the weekend. Click to expand...

I think it has a lot to do with image and naming, the sub has more mass appeal and just the name 'yatchmaster' invokes an image of eiitism / snobbery, it is a shame because the rhodium dial YM is a stunning watch.  

I love YMI but YM II is just a different level of ugly. Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk  

It strikes me as a ladies watch. It is completely devoid of all the qualities that have made Rolex a great brand. In my opinion that is also the case with most of the new 6 digit references. However that’s a very controversial statement, and I don’t want to start a fight!  

CellestinoHernendes said: ...and I don't want to start a fight! Click to expand...

The YM has an ugly bezel. Simple answer. The new gold and rubber YM with the great looking black bezels are sexy as all get out. It’s completely the ugly bezel. Along with a higher price for no apparent reason. Dirty South OoO Bro  

AL9C1 said: The YM has an ugly bezel. Simple answer. The new gold and rubber YM with the great looking black bezels are sexy as all get out. It's completely the ugly bezel. Along with a higher price for no apparent reason. Dirty South OoO Bro Click to expand...

It’s blingy, quirky and outdated in a time where simplicity is favoured. It is the ‘90’s era TAG Heuer’ of the Rolex catalogue. + it kind of says you have a very small yacht. These problems were addressed with the 2019 release. (which is not as good as the ceramic sea master)  

Bluco said: It's blingy, quirky and outdated in a time where simplicity is favoured. It is the '90's era TAG Heuer' of the Rolex catalogue. + it kind of says you have a very small yacht. Click to expand...

The average rolex owner does not own yachts and an average yacht owner does not wear a pleb's watch like rolex.  

Strange, all my yacht owners friends wear Rolexes when they are on their boats, but, out of curiosity, what does yours wear?  

Attachments

VicLeChic said: <snip> The first Rolesium with platinum dial ref 16622 was launched in 1999 and discontinued in 2016 when its succesor 116622 took over. The 16622 was a huge success back in the early 2000s with waiting lists. Celebrities were wearing it. <snip> Click to expand...

The YM is popular, but it's a very different watch from a Sub. - Yachtmaster -> Lifestyle watch. You wear this while having cocktails with friends on the aft deck. - Submariner -> Tool watch. This is what your teenage to young adult sons wear while playing in the water as you and your friends have cocktails on the aft deck.  

Gunnar_917 said: ^^ tells the truth on Internet forums Click to expand...

Black5 said: Fits the formula of a bait thread. Identify parochial target audience - Rolex afficionado's. Say something subjectively offensive about the object of their affections - unpopular, ugly, poor value retention etc. Identify equivalent or larger antithesis - Rolex has many detractors, so this was easy. State an unverified opinion as fact - unpopular, discontinued. Invite opinions Get popcorn. Subscribed... So many watches, So little time... Click to expand...

Not sure about the old ones. I would say the new models have a limited steel only selection and even at that they are close to $19k for the YMII plus it is a 44mm. I do think the YM40 is a great looking watch, especially with the blue face, but it is 12,000. most people would prefer a $9k Hulk  

If MOST people have a hulk then to me there's no better reason to go for a YM.  

Totally agree. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

StingF18 said: Totally agree. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Click to expand...

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Is the Yacht-Master Rolex’s Most Underrated Sports Watch

It’s no secret that Rolex sports watches have become incredibly hard to find at a retail level. Most fan-favorite models have lengthy waiting lists, and many trade hands on the open market for significant premiums above their original retail prices. However, when it comes to the Rolex Yacht-Master collection, a surprising value proposition exists among all of the hype, and it might just be the brand’s most underrated sports watch.

A True Luxury Sports Watch

While the Rolex Yacht-Master may not have a history that includes military use or the early days of exploration, its intended purpose of being a true luxury sports watch actually best suits the way that most high-end timepieces are worn in the real world. Collectors appreciate Rolex’s sports models for their robust construction and purpose built nature, but most people really just need a durable timepiece with a versatile aesthetic that can make the transition from the beach to the boardroom. 

When it comes to Rolex watches that fit this description, there are few candidates more appropriate than the Yacht-Master. Unlike many of the brand’s legendary Professional models, the  Rolex Yacht-Master was always intended to be a luxury-oriented sports watch and it truly excels at this core objective. Models from the Yacht-Master collection have highly-practical 60-minute rotating timing bezels and 100 meters of water resistance, yet even the most humble editions feature bezels crafted from either solid gold or platinum.

Retail vs. Pre-Owned Prices

Rolex positions the Yacht-Master as a premium option within its greater sports watch lineup and at a retail level, the Yacht-Master costs more than entry-level options from either the Submariner or GMT-Master II collections. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to find any Rolex sports watches at retail without a wait, and when you start looking at prices on the open market, the Yacht-Master collection becomes a whole lot more appealing.  

If you are lucky enough to buy one brand-new from an authorized retailer, the least expensive Rolex Yacht-Master 40 will cost you $12,350. Again, most retailers will have a waiting list, so if you want to get your hands on one today, it will actually set you back around $16,000 to $18,000 when buying from a seller on the open market. A several thousand dollar premium is certainly significant, but when you consider that stainless steel examples of the GMT-Master II are trading hands for values that are anywhere between two and three times their official retail price, the premiums being asked for the Rolex Yacht-Master are ultimately rather reasonable by comparison. 

The Value Proposition of the Rolex Yacht-Master

The Rolex Yacht-Master’s closest relative is the Submariner, but the main reason why the least expensive Yacht-Master 40 retails for over $2,000 more than the classic all-black Submariner Date (despite having a lower depth rating) is because it features a bezel crafted from solid 950 platinum. However, if you are shopping for these same models on the open market, pre-owned prices will be incredibly similar and you will even find current-production Yacht-Master watches that cost less than their Submariner counterparts. 

This value proposition becomes even more attractive when you start looking at older Yacht-Master models. For example, the reference 16622 is one of only a handful of Rolex sports watches that can still be purchased for under $10k, and it features both a platinum dial and a platinum bezel. Additionally, when you consider that the Yacht-Master is the only Rolex sports watch that is available in multiple case sizes, the fact that the collection doesn’t receive more attention is rather surprising. 

With that in mind, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Rolex Yacht-Master and British professional sailor and Rolex Ambassador Ben Ainslie has recently been spotted wearing a  titanium Yacht-Master 42 prototype . If Rolex releases anything even remotely close to that prototype later this year, you can almost guarantee that the Yacht-Master will no longer be a contender for the title of Rolex’s most underrated sports watch.   

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What Is The Only True Regatta Chronograph in Rolex’s Line-up?

The original Rolex Yacht-Master was essentially a luxury version of the Submariner. Although it had a regatta-inspired name, the original rendition did not possess any special complications or features that catered to the world of yacht racing. Rolex must have realized this oversight, because in 2010 they released an entirely new line of watches specifically intended for regattas: the Yacht-Master II.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

Unlike the first Yacht-Master that shared many components with Rolex’s Submariner line of watches, the Yacht-Master II was an entirely new design . At the heart of the watch beats a caliber 4161 movement, which gives the Yacht-Master II the world’s first programmable countdown with a mechanical memory.

Once the countdown has been initiated, it can still be adjusted, entirely on the fly. This allows sailors to synchronize their watch with the official race clock to ensure maximum accuracy. Unlike the design of most other watches, the rotating bezel on the Yacht-Master II is actually connected to the movement inside, allowing it to function as the control interface for the adjustable countdown.

Like all watches made by Rolex, the movement and internals are shielded from the elements by an Oyster case with a screw-down crown and case back. This gives the Yacht-Master II a depth rating of 100 meters, while a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal protects the dial.

Visually speaking, the Yacht-Master II is a rather large deviation from Rolex’s usual aesthetics, and its design is anything but subtle. The watch measures 44mm in diameter, making it the largest in Rolex’s current lineup, and the red hands and bright blue, Cerachrom bezel give the watch a nautical appearance, further adding to its extroverted style.

The Yacht-Master II is currently available in four different metal options: stainless steel, yellow gold, Rolesor (stainless steel and rose gold), and a white gold/platinum edition. At 44mm wide with a solid-link bracelet, the stainless steel Yacht-Master II already has some heft to it, and weight only increases from there with the use of 18-karat gold and platinum in the premium metal versions.

The Yacht-Master II may not the most practical watch for boat racing; a contemporary digital regatta timer would probably be a more reasonable option. However, much like a solid-gold dive watch, the Yacht-Master II is more than just a utilitarian tool watch; it is intended to be a status symbol, alluding to one’s participation in a lifestyle sport.

While the first rendition of the Yacht-Master lacked any features specifically intended for boat racing, the Yacht-Master II’s regatta countdown complication makes it about as niche of a sports watch as one can find. Overall, the Yacht-Master II is luxurious, playful, and larger-than-life – just like the sport for which it was created.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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Yacht-Master II

THE SKIPPERS’ WATCH

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is a unique regatta chronograph dedicated to both experienced sailors and yachting enthusiasts.

A PROFESSIONAL REGATTA CHRONOGRAPH

As in any contest of speed, precision and synchronization are of the essence in a regatta. The Yacht-Master II is equipped with a countdown that can be programmed from 10 to 1 minutes, allowing the wearer to precisely time and follow each race’s specific official starting procedure, which generally unfolds in three stages, marked by sound and visual signals. This flexibility is one of the major assets of the Yacht-Master II; its development was a considerable mechanical challenge. Furthermore, the programming can be mechanically memorized, which makes it possible to start a new countdown without having to reprogramme the watch, for example in the next leg or a subsequent regatta with identical countdown duration.

Once launched, the countdown can be synchronized on the fly to match the official countdown via the ‘fly-back’ reset function of the seconds hand and adjustment of the countdown minute hand to the nearest minute.

RING COMMAND SYSTEM

The countdown’s sophisticated functions were designed to be easily set and operated. The preliminary programming of up to 10 minutes is accessed, and then locked, via the rotatable bezel thanks to Ring Command, a system of interaction between the bezel, the winding crown and the movement, developed by Rolex. Its development, a feat of technical prowess, was made possible by the brand’s complete in-house mastery over the design and manufacturing processes, from the case and bracelet to the movement with its many components.

BEZEL WITH CERACHROM INSERT

The bidirectional rotatable bezel on the Yacht-Master II is equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom insert in blue ceramic. This patented insert is made of an extremely hard, virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. The numerals and inscriptions are moulded in the ceramic and coloured with gold or platinum using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process.

CHROMALIGHT DISPLAY

The Yacht-Master II is an extremely legible watch in all circumstances and even in the dark thanks to the Chromalight display; the hour markers and hands are filled or coated with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow – for up to two times longer than traditional phosphorescent materials.

THE YACHT-MASTER II, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED

Like all Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation attests that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests are carried out on the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria for precision that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing upstream during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to strong magnetic fields and to shocks.

THE OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS

The Yacht-Master II’s Oyster case, 44 mm in diameter and guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel or 18 ct gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only certified Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. It is protected by a crown guard that is an integral part of the middle case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses .

PERPETUAL CALIBRE 4161

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with calibre 4161, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement offers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 4161 is based on the 4130 chronograph movement, which equipped the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona until 2022. It is fitted with a traversing column wheel and vertical clutch for an instantaneous and extremely precise chronograph start.

The movement incorporates the blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. In addition to resisting strong magnetic fields, this hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.

The oscillator of calibre 4161 has a large balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance.

Calibre 4161 is fitted with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. It offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

The Yacht-Master II’s movement will be seen only by certified Rolex watchmakers, yet it is beautifully finished and decorated in keeping with the brand’s uncompromising quality standards.

BRACELET AND CLASP, SECURE AND COMFORTABLE

The Yacht-Master II is available on a three-piece link Oyster bracelet that is equipped with a Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The bracelet is additionally fitted with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand. This system allows the wearer to easily increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, for additional comfort in any circumstance.

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The art of command

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II in Oystersteel and Everose gold with an Oyster bracelet and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a blue Cerachrom insert .

Ring command bezel, a synchronized countdown.

Rolex achieved perfection when it turned its attention to redefining the purpose and functionality of the bezel. Typically, a bezel operates independently from the internal mechanism; however, the Ring Command bezel in the Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph operates in conjunction with it.

As a mechanical component linked to the movement, the bezel literally acts as the key to the programmable countdown, allowing it to be set and synchronised to the sequence of race start times. Complex in design, but simple in use, it is functionally beautiful.

A characteristic aesthetic

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with a new dial, and new hands that are characteristic of Rolex Professional models, enhancing legibility and sharpening its aesthetic appeal. The dial now features a triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock and a rectangular hour marker at 6 o’clock for more intuitive reading of the watch.

A luminescent disc on the hour hand clearly distinguishes it from the minute hand. The Yacht-Master II’s countdown can be programmed for a duration of between 1 and 10 minutes. The programming is memorized by the mechanism so that at a reset it returns to the previous setting. Once launched, the countdown can be synchronized on the fly to match the official race countdown.

Everose Rolesor

A meeting of two metals.

Gold is coveted for its lustre and nobility. Steel reinforces strength and reliability. Together, they harmoniously combine the best of their properties.

A true Rolex signature, Rolesor has featured on Rolex models since the early 1930s, and was trademarked as a name in 1933. It is one of the prominent pillars of the Oyster collection.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex.

This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   116681

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Oyster, 44 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

Oyster architecture

Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Everose Rolesor - combination of Oystersteel and Everose gold

Rolex Ring Command (bidirectional 90° rotatable interacting with the movement) in gold with blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic and numerals coated in gold

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph

4161, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o'clock. Programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 72 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Learn how to set the time and other functions of your Rolex watch by consulting our user guides.

Yacht-Master II

Contact an Official Rolex Jeweler

Only official Rolex jewelers are allowed to sell and maintain a Rolex watch. With the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, they guarantee the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex and help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.

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