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 Rolex Yacht-Master, 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 Rolex 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.
There is a certain level of exclusivity within the Rolex 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 Rolex Yacht-Master fitted with an Oysterflex™ bracelet, a highly sought after strap that made its way into the collection in 2015 with the Rolex Yacht-Master 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 Rolex Yacht-Master without mentioning the Rolex Yacht-Master II, equipped with a regatta chronograph, adjustable countdown timer with flyback functionality, and mechanical memory—a truly stunning, technological timepiece. It’s also important to note that since 2019, all Rolex 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.
As the world’s leading platform for buying, selling, and trading pre-owned luxury watches, we provide collectors and enthusiasts with the unique opportunity to find exquisite and rare Rolex Yacht-Master timepieces. Whether you’re looking for a piece with a blue dial on a stainless steel Oyster bracelet, or a watch featuring 18k Everose gold, our collection has something for everyone. Discover our recommendations on the ultimate Rolex collection by reading this artic;e, or find similar pieces to the Rolex Yacht-Master by perusing our collections of sport, gold, and platinum watches.