Rolex Yacht-Master

Über Yacht-Master

Introduced in 1992, the Rolex Yacht-Master has a rather short but impressive history, serving as a staple collection in the world of sailing watches. The brand’s relationship with yachting was established years prior to the release of the Yacht-Master collection, fostering ties with prestigious yacht clubs and regattas since the 1950s. Interestingly in 1966, Sir Francis Chichester became the first person to circumnavigate the globe on a solo trip with only one companion by his side—a Rolex wristwatch that he praised for its durability and functionality upon return. Once the Yacht-Master launched with sailors in mind, it quickly appealed to collectors due to its range of size options, as well as design hallmarks like the bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel that calculates sailing time. Interested in other nautical-inspired Rolex watches? Browse our collection of pre-owned Submariners and Sea-Dwellers for near-mint condition luxury timepieces.

Discover the Yacht-Master Collection

There is a certain level of exclusivity within the Yacht-Master suite as it’s the only Rolex collection to feature Rolesium, the brand’s proprietary combination of a stainless steel bracelet and a bezel in 950 platinum. Collectors can also get a Yacht-Master fitted with an Oysterflex™ bracelet, a highly sought after strap that made its way into the collection in 2015 with the Ref. 116655. Coincidentally, this was also the first Yacht-Master to be offered in Everose. Although the collection boasts some exclusivity in material, it certainly does not fall short in its wide range of case sizes including 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm options, making it a fine choice for women looking for smaller sizes. From time to time, you can even find the discontinued 29mm and 35mm versions on the pre-owned market as well. And of course, it would be impossible to discuss the Yacht-Master without mentioning the Yacht-Master II, equipped with a regatta chronograph, adjustable countdown timer with flyback functionality, and mechanical memory—a truly stunning, technological timepiece. If you’d like to learn more about the nuances between the Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II, watch this video for an expert review. It’s also important to note that since 2019, all Yacht-Master timepieces have a 70-hour power reserve made possible by their in-house calibre 3235. If you’d like to learn more about Rolex’s innovations, read this article to discover their selection of proprietary materials.