yacht master ehliyeti

Shop New Arrivals

Rolex Yacht-Master

• Yacht-Master
• Yacht-Master II
• Rolex 16622
• Rolex 168622
• $7,000 to $10,000
• $10,000 to $15,000
• $15,000 to $20,000
• Stainless Steel
• Yellow Gold
• 2010 to Present

Cash wire prices shown. Prices may be higher if other payment methods are selected.*

About The Rolex Yacht-Master

The Rolex Yacht-Master has an intriguing history that dates to the early 1990s, when it first debuted. The regatta timer was developed as an homage to the world of watersport and was designed to be both elegant and functional. Over the years, the Yacht-Master has transformed into a symbol of the Rolex brand's dedication to excellence and groundbreaking watchmaking.

Why Choose Us

Bob's Watches is a trusted and established purveyor of pre-owned Rolex watches with decades of experience. We promise a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that customers are fully satisfied with their purchase or they can return it for a full refund. With a team of specialists who authenticate and examine each watch, and fair pricing on a large inventory of models, Bob's Watches is a reliable option for those looking to buy a pre-owned Rolex watch.

Looking to Sell Your Rolex?

Unlock the value of your treasured timepiece by selling your Rolex with Bob's Watches. Our expert team handles each watch with utmost care and professionalism. With our seamless and trusted process, we ensure your experience is top-notch. Parting with your luxury watch becomes as effortless and rewarding as the moments it has tracked for you. Get started today by visiting our Sell Rolex watch page.

Testimonials

Nathaniel g..

"I had wanted a Yacht-Master for as long as I could remember, but could never justify the high price of buying new. Once I realized that buying pre-owned might be a smarter option, I searched around the internet, but only Bob's Watches made me feel comfortable with making such a large purchase online. I understood their business model, and past customers' reviews were very positive. The prices were competitive as well, and rivaled those of less-trustworthy dealers. Once I made my choice, there was a slight hiccup in the process to wire funds, but when I called in, the problem was quickly resolved.

I received my watch a few days later, and it looked stunning. When the site says "mint condition," it means it! Bob's was also able to tell me when the watch was last serviced, which (in combination with the one-year warranty) gives me peace-of-mind. As I look to expand my collection of watches, I'm sure I'll be a repeat customer of Bob's Watches."

Review originally published on Trustpilot

"I have been shopping for the Rolex Yachtmaster for the better part of a year. I visited multiple jewelers & brokers in my area. Either they were of poor condition or over priced. Then I found Bobs Watches. The staff was expeditious and courteous. They sent me new photos of the watch upon request with no hesitation. The service, price, and condition of the watch was without compare. I am now a lifelong customer of Bobs Watches, I cannot imagine buying from any other source."

Review originally published on Google

Expert Opinion

"The Rolex Yacht-Master is a striking maritime watch that combines high style and functionality in a single package. The collection features a resilient waterproof case, a clean and legible dial, and a rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations. With its innovative design and phenomenal performance, the Rolex Yacht-Master is a prime investment for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line luxury watch."

- Paul Altieri, Founder and CEO of Bob's Watches

Price Trends

The Rolex Yacht-Master is a renowned luxury watch intended for yachting enthusiasts. Pre-owned prices for this remarkable collection often sit between the mid-level and top-tier Rolex price ranges, depending on factors such as the materials used, complexity of the design, and rarity of the watch.

Used Rolex Yacht-Master Prices

disc. = discontinued

Popular Rolex Yacht-Master Watch Comparisons

Yacht master 37mm vs 40mm.

The primary difference between the Rolex Yacht-Master 37mm and 40mm models is their case size. The 37mm model is categorized as a smaller and more delicate option for smaller to average-sized wrists, while the 40mm model is larger and more  on par with the size and weight of a classic Rolex sports watch. However, both editions share similar amenities such as the standard bi-directional rotating bezel and the high-performance mechanical Perpetual movement.

Yacht Master rhodium vs blue

The Rolex Yacht-Master is produced in a range of dial color variations, two of which are rhodium and blue. The rhodium edition sports a silver-colored dial, while the blue edition has a classic blue dial. Both options exude a stylish and sophisticated aesthetic, but the blue dial Rolex Yacht-Master is often deemed more desirable and eye-catching. Ultimately, the choice between rhodium and blue is a matter of personal preference and style.

Popular Nicknames

The Rolex Yacht-Master has earned many nicknames over the years due to its charm and maritime roots. One common moniker for the watch is the "Captain's Watch," because of its association with the yachting community.

Rolex Yacht Master Reference Models

The Rolex Yacht-Master has seen a few changes and updates since its release in 1992, which has produced several reference models. The original Yacht-Master featured a 40mm case, while later models also included a smaller 35mm case and a mid-size 37mm case. The latest Yacht-Master offering has a 42mm case and is equipped with a next generation mechanical movement.

Learn more about the collection by visiting our Rolex Yacht-Master buying guide .

Key Features

Rolex yacht-master dials.

The Rolex Yacht-Master has a traditional sports watch dial design, which contributes to the collection's overall aesthetic appeal. The dial of the Yacht-Master is often decorated with a standard sunburst finish. Additionally, the watch's hour markers and hands are usually filled with luminescent material to enhance visibility in low-light environments.

Rolex Yacht-Master Movements

The Rolex Yacht-Master is powered by high-precision automatic movements , which guarantee precise timekeeping and consistent performance. These movements are chronometer-certified, implying that they have been tested and certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) for precision and accuracy. The latest edition of the Yacht-Master features a high-performance automatic movement, which boasts a power reserve of up to 70 hours.

Rolex Yacht-Master Sizes

The Rolex Yacht-Master is offered in several sizes, including 35mm, 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm. Selecting a size is a matter of personal taste and depends heavily on influences such as wrist size and  style. The smaller 37mm and 40mm models are often regarded as more standard and versatile, while the larger 42mm model takes a bolder stance on the wrist.

Rolex Yacht-Master Materials

The Rolex Yacht-Master is produced in a selection of remarkable materials , including stainless steel, gold, and platinum. The watch's bezel is also commonly made from different materials, such as ceramic or precious metals. The type of material can affect the watch's durability, weight, and overall style, with each option offering a different aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the cheapest rolex.

The value of the Rolex Yacht-Master is based on on personal preferences and importance. As an expensive luxury watch, it may not be worth the investment for every collector. However, for those who value its unique design, premium materials, and dependable performance, the Yacht-Master can be a valuable investment that can hold its worth over time.

Is Rolex Yacht-Master worth it?

Rolex watches are so expensive due to a variety of factors, including the brand's reputation for exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and durability. Additionally, Rolex invests heavily in research and development to ensure that their watches incorporate the latest technology and materials, further adding to their value. The brand's limited production and high demand also contribute to their high prices, as collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for these highly coveted timepieces.

Does Rolex Yacht-Master hold value?

The Rolex Yacht-Master is deemed a valuable timepiece because it is a luxury watch with an impressive reputation for excellence, endurance, and style. Its high price and limited inventory can make it a prized collector's item, which can add to its value long term. Additionally, Rolex watches overall are known to appreciate, and the Yacht-Master is no exception.

Why is Rolex Yacht-Master so expensive?

The Rolex Yacht-Master is an expensive watch for several reasons. Rolex uses the best materials on the market such as gold, platinum, and stainless steel in the fabrication of the Yacht-Master. Additionally, the watch is submitted to a rigorous testing and certification processes to guarantee precision and accuracy, and it boasts a distinctive design that is iconic and widely sought-after by collectors.

IYT Kaptanlık Ehliyeti, Nereden Alınır | oneyacht.org

Kaptanlık ehliyetini, dünyada 58 ülke tarafından kabul gören International Yacht Training Worldwide (IYT WW) eğitim müfredatını kullanarak profesyonel eğitmenlerimiz ile siz değerli müşterilerimize teorik ve pratik eğitimlerle veriyoruz.

Profesyonel olarak verilen yelkenli yat ve motoryat eğitimlerinin sonucunda sizlerin uluslararası sularda geçerli olan IYT kaptanlık ehliyeti sahibi olmanızı sağlıyoruz.

IYT Kaptanlık Ehliyeti

Uluslararası sularda sorun yaşamadan, dünyanın her yerinde özgüven ve bilgiye sahip bir şekilde, birçok devlet tarafından tanınan bir sertifikanız olduğu takdirde en çok tercih edilen ve güvenilir kaptan siz olabilirsiniz.

Dünyada en çok bilinen yachtmaster ehliyetine One Yacht ile sahip olabilirsiniz. Yachtmaster ehliyeti ile yeterli bilgi ve birikime, gerekli yeteneğe ve güvenilirliğe sahip olduğunuzu kanıtlamanız daha kolaydır.

Kaptanlık Eğitimlerimiz

Uluslararası yatçılık eğitimlerimize katılarak hayalinizdeki mesleğe ya da hobiye sahip olabilirsiniz.

Başlangıç eğitimlerimizden, Uluslararası Filo Kaptanlığı (IYT Flotilla Skipper) eğitimi ile 5 gün süresince lider bir tekne kaptanı eşliğinde teknenizi kullanabilirsiniz, teorik olarak bu eğitim diğer eğitimlerimizden olan Uluslarası Gezi Sınıfı Tekne Kaptanı (IYT Bareboat Skipper) eğitimi ile aynıdır fakat filo ile olmak deneyim kazanmanın en güvenli yoludur.

İki eğitim sonucunda aldığınız ehliyetler ile de, 78ft/ 24metre boyutlarında yat ile gündüz saatlerinde, uygun hava ve deniz koşulları sağlandığı takdirde 20 deniz mili uzaklığa kadar seyir gerçekleştirebilirsiniz.

Kaptanlık ehliyeti almak için yine Orta seviye eğitimlerimizden, Yachtmaster Kıyı Kaptanlığı (Yachtmaster Coastal) Eğitimini alarak 78ft/ 24 metre boyutlarında ki bir yat ile orta karar rüzgâr ve deniz koşullarında, 60 deniz mili uzaklığa kadar tekne ve yat ile seyir gerçekleştirebilirsiniz.

İleri seviye eğitimlerimiz ile de kaptanlık ehliyeti alabilirsiniz. Yachtmaster Açık Deniz Kaptanlığı (Yachtmaster Offshore ) eğitimi ile 5 gün boyunca denizcilik bilginizi en üst seviyelere çıkartarak, kıyıdan 150 deniz mili uzaklığa kadar seyir gerçekleştirebilirsiniz. Yacht Master Okyanus Kaptanlığı (Yachtmaster Ocean) eğitimi alarak dünyanın tüm okyanus ve denizlerinde tekne ve yat kullanabilirsiniz.

Ayrıca Avrupa'da tekne ve yat kiralamak için Uluslarası Yeterlilik Sertifikası (ICC) almanız gerekmektedir. Gezi Sınıfı Tekne Kaptanlığı (IYT Bareboat Skipper) eğitimini başarıyla tamamlayan değerli müşterilerimiz ICC sertifikasını da almaya hak kazanır.

IYT Kaptanlık ehliyeti almak ve eğitimlerimizi incelemek için buraya tıklayabilirsiniz.

Yelkenli Tekne Kiralarken Dikkat Edilecek En Önemli 5 Şey

Belki de hepsinden önemlisi Tekne kiralama şirketidir. Orta ölçekli şirketler genellikle daha kişise...

Göcek Günlük Tekne Kiralama Nasıl Yapılır? | Tekne Kiralama Fiyatları

Göcek günlük tekne kiralama nasıl yapılır? Özel günlerinizde ve eğlenceli vakit geçirmek istediğiniz...

Yelken Kursu Fiyatları , İstanbul & Marmaris | oneyacht.org

Deniz aktiviteleri arasında sevilen bir yere sahip olan yelkencilik faaliyetleri gün geçtikçe popüle...

Bodrum Yelken Eğitimi | Denizdeki Maceranızı Yelkenle Başlatın

Bodrum yelken eğitimi, deniz severlere yelken sporuna giriş yapma ve yelkenli teknelerle serüven dol...

IYT Yatçılık Eğitimi, İstanbul & Marmaris | oneyacht.org

Yatçılık deniz ve tekne severler arasında gittikçe popülerleşen bir akım haline gelmiş durumda. Deni...

Çevre Dostu Yelkencilik İçin 10 İpucu

Tutkulu denizciler olarak, onlarca yıldır dünyanın eşsiz yelken sahalarında en iyi yelken tatillerin...

Yelkenli Kiralama Fiyatları

Ülkenin birçok alanında denizcilik kültürünü yaymakla birlikte yelkenli kiralama fiyatları ve tekne...

Yelken Kiralama Hakkında Her Şey

Yelken kiralama, bir tekne sahibi olmadan açık suları keşfetmenin zahmetsiz bir yolu olarak popülerd...

Yelken Eğitimi Fiyatları Ne Kadar | Yelken Okulu Fiyatları

Yelken eğitimi tecrübeli birçok insanın yanı sıra, yeni başlayanlar tarafından da keyifle yapılan bi...

Göcek Yelken Eğitimi | Fethiye Yelken Okulu

Göcek, son yıllarda dünyanın dört bir yanından yerli ve yabancı turistleri çeken yelken ve tekne tur...

Tekne Charter | Tekne Charter Hizmetler

Charter kiralama ve tekne kiralama hizmetleri için sunmuş olduğumuz ayrıcalıklar içerisinde sizlere...

Fethiye'de Tekne Kiralama | Denizde Unutulmaz Bir Macera

Denizde Unutulmaz Bir Macera! Fethiye'nin güzelliklerini keşfetmek için tekne kiralama seçenekleri....

Yelkenli Tekne Devrilir mi?

One Yacht olarak bu sektördeki en önemli sorulardan birine siz değerli kullanıcılarımıza cevap verme...

Göcek Tekne Tatili | Eşsiz Bir Deneyim

Göcek, Türkiye'nin güneybatısındaki Muğla ilçesinde yer alan bir tatil beldesidir. Göcek, sakin sula...

One Yacht Yelken Kursu

One Yacht, İstanbul, İzmir, Fethiye lokasyonlarında faaliyet gösteren bir yatçılık okuludur ve özell...

BİZE ULAŞIN

• +90 212 351 9100
• [email protected]

The Watch Of The Open Seas: History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

Instagram: @rolex

In the year 1992, Swiss watchmaker Rolex would debut a new model line at the Baselworld show that was strikingly similar to the already-popular Submariner. It featured the same 40mm Oyster case with a rotating bezel, the same chronometer-certified caliber, and the same Oyster bracelet.

Seemingly the only difference between the two was the white dial of that first Yacht-Master, a style which has never been an option on a Sub, and the inferior depth rating of 100m when compared to the Sub’s 300m.

Yet, the Yacht-Master was well-received upon launch, and with the passing of time, the yachting-inspired model has evolved and pioneered its own path within Rolex’s catalog.

Read on with us as we go back to the beginning and track the catalysts that paved the way for the most recent Yacht-Master release, the Yacht-Master 42 (226659), to become one of the hottest sports timepieces of the year.

History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

We’ve broken down our overview of the Yacht-Master into the following segments:

• Release Of The Yacht-Master

The Submariner/Yacht-Master Theory

• Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master
• Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The Maxi Dial Yacht-Master

• Two-Tone Rolesor Yacht-Master

The Yacht-Master II

• Six-Digit Yacht-Master

The Oysterflex Yacht-Master

Keep scrolling to read this guide from its beginning, or use the links above to jump down to a specific point.

Browse Bob’s Watches Rolex Catalogue

The Release Of The Yacht-Master

The first Yacht-Master watch was launched in 1992 under reference number 16628. It featured a yellow gold case, a bidirectional graduated bezel, and a matching full-gold Oyster bracelet. Its dial was white with black hour indices, while at center were gold Mercedes hands, and beating inside was the 3135 movement.

Rolex ref. 16628. Instagram: @m_j_watches

Previous to the Yacht-Master’s introduction, Rolex had not released a new model line in a quarter century. So, why did they go with the Yacht-Master, a design that risked being a detractor from their existing Submariner? Let’s take a look at the inspiration.

The sport of yachting is one which demands precise timing and extreme coordination of the entire crew for optimal performance, particularly in offshore competitions.

Prototype Daytona Yacht-Master ref. 6239. Image: Christies.com

Rolex believed their waterproof and chronometer-grade timepieces to be more than qualified to handle the knocks of a regatta and keep ticking accurately. The brand is also notorious for their marketing prowess, which led them to act quickly in establishing an association with the sport.

Beginning in 1958 with their first sponsorship of a race, the relationship has endured until today, when the brand sponsors over a dozen international yachting events.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny that there exists a large gap between first contact in 1958 and the release of the yacht-inspired timepiece in the early ’90s. Why wasn’t the Yacht-Master released earlier on?

Well, Rolex played around with the idea of yachting chronograph early on, though it never materialized. All that’s left of these trials are an extremely limited number of Daytona ref. 6239 chronograph prototypes with a 39mm case (vs standard 36mm) and modified regatta dials.

Unfortunately, the Yacht-Master concept was scrapped and would not reappear until decades later.

When it did return, none of the previous Yacht-Master’s DNA was there. Furthermore, the 1992 Yacht-Master was bizarrely similar to the 16610 Sub of the time.

Interestingly enough, Rolex folklore tells of a time in the ’80s when the brand sought to update their Submariner . What resulted was less of an update and more of an overhaul, manifested as what we know now as the first Yacht-Master.

Apprehensive of the repercussions that making such aggressive design changes to their staple offering could bring, the brand chose instead to release the watch intended to be a new Submariner as the reborn Yacht-Master instead.

The move worked, and the new Yacht-Masters started flying off the shelves. The Yacht-Master was perceived as a more luxurious Sub, though its bidirectional bezel proved useful for on-the-fly countdowns which are critical in sailing competitions. The waterproof nature of the Oyster case further cemented the Yacht-Master as the ideal first mate.

Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master

In 1994, just two years after the debut of the 16628, Rolex would introduce the same design but in smaller case sizes. These were:

• Ref. 68628: Yacht-Master “Mid-Size” in 35mm
• Ref. 69628: Yacht-Master Ladies’ in 29mm

This marked the first time that Rolex ever offered one of their sports models in a smaller case size; all previous instances of case size changes were increases as opposed to reductions. It has been speculated that the smaller cases were intended for the Asian market.

Yacht-Master ref. 16628. Instagram: @thewatchcentre

In the same year, Rolex also offered the same 16628 but this time with a deep blue dial. Blue dials tend to make for broadly-liked watches, and coupled with the gold case and bracelet, the new version was once again a hit.

The Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The next update to the model line would come in 1999 with yet another home-run: the Rolesium Yacht-Master. The new watch featured a stainless steel case and bracelet with a platinum dial and platinum-insert bezel. Rolesium, a term registered by Rolex back in the ’30s for a combination of steel and platinum in a watch, was finally put to use.

The new platinum Yacht-Master ref. 16622 was not only more accessible than the previous all-gold varieties, it was also more versatile. This would lead the 16622 variety to become the face of the Yacht-Master line.

In fact, many online resources erroneously label it the first Yacht-Master ever; this should offer an idea of how emblematic it is in the watch industry.

The 16622 also presented a new dial and hand style that would mark Rolex as a whole through to the modern day. The new Yacht-Master boasted what is now recognized as the “maxi dial”.

Rolex Yacht-Master 16628 w/ maxi dial. Instagram: @kellokonttori

The maxi dial is characterized by oversized hour indices as well as larger hands at center. To the untrained eye, the difference may be difficult to spot, though experienced collectors will note the change instantly.

The maxi dial became the style of choice for all modern Rolex sports watches, though it got its start in the 1999 platinum Yacht-Master. A Submariner would first feature a maxi dial in 2003, with the release of the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner “Kermit” (16610LV).

All versions of the Yacht-Master produced after the introduction of the maxi dial would also feature the new dial design. This included the blue, gold, and white dial versions from years past.

The Two-Tone (Rolesor) Yacht-Master

Six years after the Rolesium Yacht-Master came to be, Rolex would once more put on display their mixed-metal Rolesor style in the two-tone Yacht-Master 16623.

Yacht-Master ref. 16623. Instagram: @v.davidofftimepieces

The 2005 debuts possessed a 40mm steel case, a yellow gold bidirectional bezel, and a two-tone Oyster bracelet. As far as dials, many of the previous styles were also available like the black-on-white, though mother of pearl version were also introduced.

It was during Baselworld 2007 when Rolex would introduce the Yacht-Master’s younger and much larger sibling, the Yacht-Master II. Whereas the original Yacht-Master was very close functionally to the Sub, the Yacht-Master II was completely the opposite.

It can be said that the only overlap between the YM and the YMII is be the name, as the second iteration looks like a whole new watch. This time, though, it’s clear that the watch has been designed with the needs of yachting professionals in mind.

The first Yacht-Master II were marked by a 44mm Oyster case, an Oyster bracelet, a white dial,  and a blue Cerachrom (ceramic) Ring Command bezel. The first two references, 116688 and 116689, were made of yellow gold and white gold, respectively.

Powering the YMII was another innovation – Rolex’s in-house calibre 4161. It features the COSC-chronometer certification and 72-hour power reserve that are today’s standard, though they were industry-leading at the time. Most notable, though, was the 4161 movement’s functions.

The new caliber boasted a “ programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. ” Naturally, the programming of the movement required the use of the Ring Command bezel, a feature which had also never been encountered on a Rolex watch before.

In later years, Rolex would go on to release Rolesor and full-steel versions of the Yacht-Master II, both of which have been relatively successful. The Yacht-Master II has certainly earned a spot in the brand’s catalog, and is sure to stick around for next couple of decades.

The Six-Digit Yacht-Master

Yacht-Master 116622

Twenty years after it debuted as the 16628, the Yacht-Master would see in 2012 the modernization that had been sweeping Rolex’s other model families.

Aside from receiving a new six-digit reference number (116622), subtle aesthetic changes were also present, as was an outstanding new dial option – the Cobalt Blue dial.

The case was now a “super case”, which retained the 40mm diameter but was styled differently. The bezel was now completely platinum, where previous versions were made of steel with a platinum insert. The Oyster bracelet had likewise been upgraded.

A platinum bezel / platinum dial option was still part of the collection and therefore received the same upgrades. Unfortunately, this iconic “albino” look would be completely discontinued in 2017.

The subsequent and most recent significant change to the Yacht-Master family took place in 2015, when Rolex first introduced the Everose Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655.

Rolex Everose Yacht-Master on Oysterflex bracelet

The newest iteration of the YM possessed some new features. The case was made of Everose, and the bezel now boasted a black Cerachrom insert. Securing the watch to the wrist was another Rolex first – the Oysterflex rubber ‘bracelet’.

Before the 116655, no Rolex watch had ever sported a rubber band. The brand still refers to it as a bracelet given the metal elements within the band, but these are not obvious even with the watch in the hand.

This same style of Yacht-Master would receive the next update in 2019, when Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold.

What’s Next?

With the recent changes that the Yacht-Master line has had, it is clear that Rolex intends to keep this model family alive and well for years to come. Consumers are likewise responding to each new release, offering plenty of feedback with their pocketbooks.

If you’d like to read up on any of Rolex’s other model families, make sure to check out some of our extensive watch guides below:

• History Of The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
• Overview Of The Most Luxurious Pilot’s Watch: The GMT-Master
• How Did The Day-Date Become The President’s Watch?
• Review Of Rolex’s Longest Running Watch Model
• Rolex Watches That Could Become The Investment Of A Lifetime

"I have always been a fan of the Yacht-Master, but I had no idea that it didn't exist until the 1990s. Thanks for the information, and thanks for keeping it entertaining. Well done!"

Watch Content

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Skip to content
• Skip to footer

• Français

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

Related content

Oyster Perpetual Air-King

Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40

The fastest and most secure way to protect the watches you love.

We've minimized the paperwork and maximized protection, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.

In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately.

Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. Rest easy and travel safely.

If you suffer a covered loss, there's no deductible and no gimmicks. Ever.

Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy).

Our quotes are based on historical sales and real-time market data allowing us to give fair prices without all the hassle.

Popular Searches

HODINKEE Radio Why Are Some Watch Brands Underappreciated?

In-Depth The History Of The Micro-Rotor, And How Dominique Renaud And Julien Tixier Have Reinvented It With Their Brand's First Watch

Hands-On Gold And Titanium Meet With The 38mm ‘The Citizen’ LE – A Most Surprising Watch

Editors’ Picks

How To Wear It The Cartier Tank Cintrée

In-Depth Examining Value And Price Over Time With The ‘No Date’ Rolex Submariner

Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1: A Model Of Mass Production

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 .

Introducing The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master, In 18k Everose Gold On The New "Oysterflex" Bracelet

By Hodinkee

Watching Movies Tom Selleck's Tiny Timex And Two-Tone Rolex In 'Three Men And A Baby'

By Danny milton

Seven Of Our Favorite Watches To Engrave

By James stacey

Sunday Rewind Take A Deep Dive With The Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600

Last Week’s Top Stories

Introducing It's Finally Here: Omega Announces A White Dial Speedmaster In Steel – Oh, And It's A Lacquer Dial

By Mark kauzlarich

Introducing Rolex Quietly Announced A New Day-Date 40 In Everose Gold For The 2024 Academy Awards

Introducing The Next Generation Of Seiko's Prospex '20MAS' – Now Smaller And With A New Movement (SPB453, SPB451 & SPB455)

Hands-On The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer Limited Edition (Live Pics)

Watch Spotting At The 96th Annual Academy Awards

By Malaika crawford

Yacht-Master II

Created for competition

The Yacht-Master II is the only chronograph in the world featuring a programmable countdown with a mechanical memory. An essential tool for skippers to gauge their best course of action.

Ring Command system

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.

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 patented system of interaction between the bezel, the winding crown and the movement, developed by Rolex. A technical feat made possible by the brand’s in-house mastery of the entire watch design and manufacturing process, from the case to the movement.

A distinctive aesthetic

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.

On the right-hand side of the middle case, the Yacht-Master II sports two countdown pushers, specially designed to suggest winches, the manual winding gear on a sail boat. The Yacht-Master II is always fitted on an Oyster bracelet with a Oysterlock safety clasp, equipped with an Easylink comfort extension link.

The Yacht-Master II measures 44 mm in diameter, its large size contributing to the optimal legibility of the dial in all conditions.

Cerachrom bezel insert

The blue monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert of the Yacht-Master II is made of an extremely hard, virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays, seawater or water that is chlorinated. 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.

Oyster bracelet

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.

Complex in design, but simple in use, the Ring Command bezel is functionally beautiful.

Calibre 4161 Superlative movement

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with calibre 4161, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its architecture, manufacturing quality and innovative features make it exceptionally precise and reliable. This abundance of Rolex technology includes a patented function – a programmable countdown with a mechanical memory – and comprises some 360 components. Some of them are made by UV-LiGA, a micromanufacturing technology entirely mastered in-house by Rolex.