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Hands-On Rolex Yacht-Master II Review

So, I got a YachtMaster II. But hear me out… It was an insanely, and undeserved gift (“the company you keep”, right?). This got me to thinking about a lot of Rolexes offerings , and brought me around to the idea that the Yacht-Master II, no matter how niche a complication, no matter how specific, no matter how big, no matter how ridiculous - Might be one of my favorite models - And I’m not just saying that because I didn’t actually make the purchase.

Let me clear the elephant in the room. That’s the “You’re just saying you like the watch because it was free” statement that is absolutely BOUND to shroud my DM’s after this goes live. And that’s fine, I expect it, I welcome it, and I recognize the privilege that I’m projecting here. However, I would like to clear the air on where this review is going to come from - I have had plenty, and I mean PLENTY of opportunity to buy, sell, handle, photograph, and write about Rolex in the past decade. While I have on occasion, I’ve never particularly found Rolex to be a terribly interesting brand to review. Incremental changes over decades and decades tend to run together, and very few of those changes are worth lengthy, wrist-time in order to trump the (literal) thousands of reviews on the internet already - So I’ve mostly passed up on writing any kind of in-depth article or review on the brand. I’ve always felt that was better left for the Rolex boys, who are probably more qualified than myself to write about them anyway.

That is, until I have been wearing this particular model for a decent period of time. I started to notice that so many of the Rolex Yacht-Master II reviews on the internet, have often come from people who are attempting to sell you the watch. With the exception of a few “Hands On” articles floating around, I have had a very difficult time finding an open and honest review of this particular watch from someone who has actually owned one, and has worn it for a significant portion of time. So that is what I’m going to attempt to do here. This is going to be a wordy, however, comprehensive review of the Rolex Yacht-Master II (Ref 116680) - Arguably the most polarizing modern watch Rolex has produced.

If you’ve been around Rolex circles for any serious amount of time, you’ll likely have heard that the Yacht-Master II is simply too large of a watch for Rolex to have made - And to be fair, it’s very big by Rolex standards. The watch is the only Rolex produced that measures in at 44mm with a significant 14mm thickness and is made of 904L Stainless Steel. So to the more introverted Rolex collector, this is probably not the watch for them. While this model is definitely heavy, I have never once felt this watch to be uncomfortable or a nuisance on the wrist.

I have seen a number of comments that the Yacht-Master II is too bulky and heavy, however I do not feel that is the case. In fact, my Omega Planet Ocean is only 42mm x 15.7mm, and feels much bulkier and heavier than the Yacht-Master II.

The case is alternating with polished and satin-finished and features a nautical blue ceramic bezel. The pushers are, as is Rolex’s MO, a perfect length. Even though I’m left handed, and therefore wear my watch on my right wrist, I had no issues with the pushers digging into my wrist, or catching on my sleeves. The rounded and tapered case, although thick, cleanly buffers between the oversized bezel and any sleeve you wish to pull over it. I live in Tampa FL, so I am always tucking it away under a sleeve… cause… I don’t want to get robbed in a parking lot.

The pushers are easy to use, cause it’s Rolex, and of course they are. The triple-lock crown screws down easy and fits tight against the case, so I never feel like there is any risk in the water - Even though the watch carries a 100m water resistance rating.

The bezel is often criticized for it’s ostentatious nature. I mean, there is no doubt what watch is on your wrist with the huge, bold, and easily seen “YACHT-MASTER II” etched into the bezel itself. The bezel function works with the movement (which we will get to in a minute), as it turns 90 degrees in order to program the indicators (which we’ll also get to). The matte finish with crescent grippers makes the bezel easy to use, and readily available when needed.

This is the ref. 116680, which means there were some moderate adjustments made to the dial by Rolex over the previous er… 116680 (Rolex opted not to change the reference number). Personally, I find them to be minimal, and unless you’re insanely familiar with the Yacht-Master II line of watches, will likely be largely unnoticed, but I feel it important to discuss anyway.

For starters, the indicators are not simply square all the way around the dial anymore. Instead of every indicator remaining the same shape and angle, the 12 o’ clock indice was changed to an elongated triangle to easily dictate the top of the watch. Additionally, the 6 o’clock indicator was changed to an elongated rectangle, again, to easily dictate it’s location. Is this likely to be a deal-breaker for Regatta enthusiasts when looking to time 60 second intervals with a flyback function? Probably not. But it does make the dial a lot more legible, and I suppose, a certain percentage more useful.

Additionally, the other major changes were too the handset. Instead of the heat treated blued handset of prior models, the 116680 features skeletonized hands with lumed tips and an added “mercedes” hour hand. This allows for the wearer to see the Regatta timer lap ring with minimal interruption - Although, I think the blue handset would have helped - The polished hands can get lost against the slick white dial in certain light. Lesser changes include some thickening of lines, a bit darker tint of blue, and some added lume.

Overall, the dial is exactly what you’d expect from Rolex. It’s superbly legible, displays the utility of the movement well, and is innately “Rolex”. The updates definitely add to the legibility, even when using the lap timer, however, I’ve never known a Rolex to really struggle in that department to begin with.

THE MOVEMENT:

Inside the Yacht-Master II is the Rolex Calibre 4161. The movement is formidable, and the functions make sense for the extremely specific times a captain would need to use it. Essentially, the “chronograph” functions as a 10 minute countdown sectioned off in “laps”. When activated, the movement counts the ten lap starting sequence of a regatta race.

Interestingly, because of the internal memory, the movement can be programmed for any position within the 1-10 sequence for even more precise timing. This can be done by rotating the “Command bezel” 90 degrees and pressing the start / stop pusher to adjust the position. Interestingly, Rolex boasts that it’s one of the first watches in the world to utilize a bezel in conjunction to the movement.

The 360+ part Calibre 4161 beats at 28,800 VpH, features a 72-hour power reserve, and Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring for better anti-magnetism.

THE BRACELET:

The watch comes on an Oystersteel bracelet with a pretty unique clasp feature that allows for the adjustment of the links to 5mm - or a half link. This was super handy for my wrist, because the watch sat just a hair too lose, but taking out a third link would cause the watch to flop around more than I’d like. Admittedly, I hadn’t had much experience with this feature, but learned on the fly how easy it was to use. Where the bracelet connects to the clasp, there is a little fold half link. You can either pull up and flip it back down to set it in place, or pull slightly back to release it. This either shortens, or lengthens the link. This is great for hot days when your wrist swells. And the added ability to do it quick, on the fly, and without tools was a huge bonus to the watches utility.

Obviously, there isn’t much improving on the Oyster bracelet. It’s insanely comfortable, it flexes perfectly when it needs to, it’s clasp is solid and doesn’t buckle (no pun intended) and it’s fit to the lugs is perfect for the watch.

The Yacht-Master II is very top-heavy, so it’s important for the bracelet to manage that efficiently, and this is Rolex we’re talking about, so it does. Are there times that swelling and moisture, and dirt / sand affect the comfort? Sure, but there’s nothing the bracelet can do to fix that.

CONCLUSION:

While, admittedly loud, I found myself leaning into the oversized and exaggerated nature of the watch more and more. Is it massive and recognizable? Yes. Obviously. Does it take away from the watch at all? No. I feel it compliments it. Rolex as a whole has a difficult time being identified without, it becoming your entire identity - If that makes any sense, and the Yacht-Master II case is one of the few (in my opinion) Rolex watches that comes with it’s own personality - even if that personality tends to get lumped in with the loud and obnoxiously rich people that tend to strive to own it.

As my first Rolex, I recognize that it’s not exactly the normal “First” for the brand, but I’ve grown to love the watch. In fact, I think it’s a staple in my collection. It’s hefty and legitimately feels like a sports watch worth wearing, and still classic and toned down enough to be a dinner watch. I don’t have much to fault the watch with that isn’t built into the foundations of what the watch is to begin with. I feel and criticism I could really throw at it would be met with “Yeah, we know, that’s the point”, and that just feels… well, pointless.

How much is the Rolex Yacht-Master II?

If you can find one at retail, you’re looking at a price tag of $18,700 USD but is going for around $24,000 to $29,000 on the secondary market.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium M226627-0001

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Light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is the ally of those seeking freedom of movement. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it puts watchmaking excellence at the service of sporting performance.   The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX titanium released by Rolex after the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, confirming that lightness is a quality to be taken seriously..

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Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 Black Dial 44mm PVD Stainless Steel Case Watch

$ 23,690.00

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Rolex Yacht-Master II Ultimate Buying Guide

There are some Rolex watches that are more or less universally loved, with a simple and versatile aesthetic that leaves little room for any sort of animosity. However, there are others within the portfolio that almost seem to have been created specifically to invite controversy, taking the brand away from its traditional design base and into more contentious territories. The Rolex Yacht-Master II collection is one of those watches.

When it arrived in the mid-2000s, the Yachtmaster II was so far removed from anything Rolex had created before that nobody seemed to know quite what to make of it. The watch was a big, bold and extremely expensive addition to the catalog, and while it was obviously slotted into the brand’s Professional Collection, it stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. However, that was back then. Looking at the brand’s catalog today, it seems that Rolex was simply ahead of the game.

The Yacht Master II’s once challenging looks have matured, and although it is still most definitely a visually striking watch, it is no longer considered completely over the top. Mechanically, it is also incredibly impressive. On its debut, it instantly became Rolex’s most complicated watch, with a one-of-a-kind functionality aimed at about as niche a group as you could imagine. Below we have laid out a complete guide to the Rolex Yacht-Master II with everything you need to know in order to make an informed decision.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

Yacht-Master II Key Features:

– Year Introduced: 2007

– Case Size: 44mm

– Materials: Oystersteel; Everose Rolesor; 18k Yellow Gold; 18k White Gold & Platinum

– Functions: Time w/Running Seconds, Programmable Regatta Timer w/ Mechanical Memory

– Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Ring Command, Blue Ceramic or Platinum Insert w/ 10-Minute Countdown Scale

– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 4161

– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet

– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet

– Retail Price: $18,750 – $48,150 USD (Approx.)

For more info, visit our guide on how to use the regatta timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Rolex Yacht-Master II History

Launched in 2007, the Rolex Yacht Master II debuted some 15-years after its original Yachtmaster namesake. However, the similarities between this watch and the model that first carried the Yacht-Master name are pretty much zero.

Where the earlier model is essentially a more luxurious take on the Rolex Submariner, the Yacht-Master II is a fully-fledged item of luxury professional sailing equipment, designed from the outset to assist skippers keep track of time during the complicated starting sequence of a regatta. That technically leaves the Yacht-Master II in the tool watch category, but this is a long way from the likes of the more utilitarian Explorer II and evidence of that can be found in its release schedule.

The first versions of the Rolex Yacht Master II to be unveiled were the 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 and the even more opulent 18k white gold version fitted with a platinum bezel, the ref. 116689. Quite a bit removed from the brand’s usually conservative styling, this large, gleaming, in-your-face effort that shouted its own name across its bezel, was an immediate opinion splitter. Traditionalists were horrified, lamenting Rolex’s continued straying from its roots, while others who enjoy having their watches noticed, embraced it wholeheartedly.

The financial crash that followed in 2008 altered the landscape for watchmakers (along with everyone else) and called for more affordable pieces to come forward. The Yachtmaster II collection expanded in 2011 with the unveiling of the ref. 116681, an Everose Rolesor model with a stainless steel case and outer bracelet links paired with a winding crown, pushers, and central links in Everose gold. That was followed by the version everyone was clamoring for in 2013 – the ref. 116680 in full stainless steel, which also introduced a new caliber, the Cal. 4161, replacing the former Cal. 4160.

The only other change the watch has undergone since then occurred on its 10th anniversary in 2017, when it was given a facelift so slight that Rolex didn’t even feel it warranted a new reference number. The square hour markers at the six and 12 o’clock were changed to a rectangle and inverted triangle respectively, and the simple stick handset was swapped for the Mercedes type to bring them in-line with much of the rest of the brand’s Professional Collection.

How Much Is A Rolex Yacht-Master II?

When the Rolex Yacht-Master II first arrived, the combination of its exclusively precious metal construction and the extraordinary engineering going on inside its movement meant that it was among the most expensive offerings in Rolex’s catalog . This left many admirers priced out of the picture, but the introduction of stainless steel and two-tone references would soon open the Yacht-Master II up to a much wider range of buyers.

The Rolesor model from 2011 sacrificed some of that wall-to-wall gold for 904L stainless steel and more or less cut the asking price in half, while the full steel version dropped the retail price even further. Today, brand-new examples vary from $18,750 for the full stainless steel model up to $48,150 for the white gold and platinum version. But what about pre-owned prices?

The rather love-it-or-hate-it visuals of the Rolex Yacht Master II means that it doesn’t attract quite the same level of universal frenzy as the Daytona or Submariner. It is not completely out of the question for an authorized retailer to even have a model or two in stock, which isn’t something that can be said about the vast majority of the brand’s other sports watches. For that reason, pre-owned models do command a bit of a premium, but nowhere near as much as some of the other models in the brand’s catalog.

You can expect to pay a minimum of around $18,000 for an unworn steel piece on the secondary market, while the Everose Rolesor edition comes in closer to about $25,000. The 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 also holds pretty steady, with most examples falling somewhere in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, depending on age and overall condition. Finally, the ref. 116689 – the top-of-the-line model in white gold and platinum, is where the biggest discounts can be found. A brand-new example costs $48,150 at an authorized dealer, but an older example on the pre-owned market can often be found for just under $30,000.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Design

The Yacht-Master II is arguably the least “Rolex-looking” Rolex watch ever made, which is the core reason behind why it ruffled so many feathers among purist collectors upon its release. It’s arrival took the brand down previously unexplored experimental paths, a very far cry from the sort of discreetly restrained icons present throughout the rest of its portfolio.

The Yacht-Master II is a hard-working watch with a lot of information to present and as a result, it has what initially looks like somewhat of a cluttered dial. However, a lot of that is down to a trick of the eye concerning the bezel’s 1-10 numerals being mirrored exactly around the horseshoe-shaped track on the face. This is obviously the regatta countdown scale, designed to help yacht skippers synchronize their boats’ movements with the race’s starting gun (we’ll get onto this more a little later).

What it means for the overall styling is a lot of numbers on the watch that you will not be using for the vast majority of the time you are wearing it. But while it may come across as a little jam-packed – particularly when you add in the chronograph hand, arrowhead countdown pointer, and a small running seconds sub-dial at the bottom – once you get used to it, you can’t help but be impressed with how much Rolex’s technicians have achieved with so little. No, it isn’t exactly the Explorer’s 3/6/9 arrangement, but it is perfectly readable with a little familiarity and conveys the information it provides in a clean and legible manner.

Despite only containing four models (all of which have white dials), the series actually covers a good range of tastes. The ref. 116688 could be in the running for most showy standard-production Rolex currently available, its all-yellow gold case somehow making the bright blue bezel pop even more. At the other end, the white gold and platinum ref. 116689 is as low-key and reserved as a 44mm wide, 14mm thick, highly-complicated, solid-gold sports watch can be. The virtual monochrome is lifted only by the red chrono hand and arrowed pointer.

In-between, the stainless steel and Everose Rolesor models do the job of appealing to more middle-of-the-road palates. Their color combinations, along with the mix of brushed and polished elements on the watch itself, keep it all on the right side of overdone, and the two-tone model’s bezel numerals also being filled in Everose gold is a nice touch. Unlikely to ever be described as subtle, any version of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is guaranteed to receive some attention.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Functions

Looks aside, the big talking point around the Rolex Yacht Master II lies in what it can do. There is a strong argument against calling the watch a genuine chronograph as it doesn’t so much keep track of elapsed time in the traditional sense, as it does count backwards from a specific starting point, up to a maximum of 10-minutes.

How is that useful? It is all down to how a professional regatta gets underway. Due to the nature of wind and water, it simply isn’t possible to get a bunch of yachts all lined up at a particular spot in the ocean and have them set off at the same time. Instead, the start of a race goes in stages, with each one marked by a gunshot or other audible signal. The first is usually sounded 10-minutes before the start (although it can also be seven or even five), and the skippers must maneuver their boats back and forth in front of the line without crossing it, jockeying with the other competitors for prime position.

There follows two further preparatory signals at precise intervals, and crews must coordinate their approach so they are as close to the start point as possible at the exact moment the race officially begins. It is that pair of additional signals that call into action one of the party tricks of the Yacht-Master II’s unique complication. Should the watch fall out of sync with the regatta reference clock for any reason, a press of the lower pusher activates the flyback (or fly-forward) function, snapping the chronograph hand to the nearest minute to allow the two timers to match up again. Even more notably, it is the only mechanical watch in the world with a programmable memory, meaning the wearer can reset back to the specified original countdown point at any time.

Giving access to all this engineering virtuosity is what Rolex has dubbed its Ring Command Bezel. This was the first appearance of the concept, with the second generation taking control of the Sky-Dweller’s myriad of functions a few years later. On both models, the bezel is directly linked to the internal movement, and on the Yacht-Master II, it acts as an analogue on/off switch. Rotating it 90° unlocks the functionality and allows for the countdown timer to be set with the crown. Turning it back again locks everything in place, and engages the memory. The watch is then operated as a standard chronograph, with the top pusher activating the starts and stops, and the bottom taking charge of the reset or flyback/fly-forward functions.

For a manufacturer not renowned for the complexity of its watches (quite the opposite, in fact) Rolex’s regatta timer is a seriously impressive performer. It may have been created for an especially select group, but it is truly surprising how useful it can be to count down accurately from 10-minutes, even for those of us who may not own a yacht – particularly if you like your pasta al dente.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Movement

The first run of the Rolex Yacht-Master II was powered by the in-house Caliber 4160. At the time, it was the most component-heavy movement the brand had ever created, but it was essentially a heavily reworked version of the Cal. 4130 from the Daytona. The column wheel, vertical clutch and ball-bearing rotor were all carried over from the brand’s legendary racing chronograph.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with that, and the Rolex Daytona’s movement remains one of the most reliable and accurate mass-produced chronograph calibers of the modern era. However, with the arrival of the long-awaited stainless steel Yacht-Master II in 2013, Rolex also unveiled a new mechanism, the Caliber 4161, the product of additional refinements and some 35,000 hours of development.

Made up of over 360 components, including those produced via a highly specialized fabrication process called UV-LiGA which uses ultraviolet light to build microstructures, this dedicated movement provided a crisper feel to the pushers and greater reliability. With that in mind, both the Cal. 4160 and the Cal. 4161 benefitted from Rolex advances such as the blue Parachrom hairspring, as well as providing users with a highly-respectable 72-hour power reserve and a 28,800vph balance frequency.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Bracelet

At the present time, all of the various Rolex Yacht-Master II models are fitted with the three-link Oyster bracelet, as befits a true sports watch. On each version, the inner links have been given a high polish to match the gleaming case, while the outer links receive a satin finish to provide a contrast against the lugs.

As for material, the bracelet is crafted from the same metal as the watch head: stainless steel, yellow gold or white gold. With the Rolesor example, the innermost links are forged from Everose gold, leaving the outer side links in 904L stainless Oystersteel. Tying it all together is the Oysterlock folding clasp, equipped with the brand’s Easylink extension system that allows for approximately 5mm of tool-free bracelet adjustment, completely on the fly and without the use of any tools.

The Yacht-Master II was something of a retaliation from Rolex against decades-worth of naysayers criticizing the brand for the lack of complicated watches in its lineup. Rolex’s rebuttal, while not the most all-encompassing in terms of looks or utility, still stands as a hugely significant piece of technical dexterity. Rolex has always produced tool watches, but as the company continues to make the transition towards being a true luxury manufacturer, the tool watches it produces also take on a more luxurious nature and the Yacht-Master II perfectly embodies this. Large and uncompromising, it is perhaps the most eccentric model Rolex has to offer – and it is always happy to take center stage.

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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Rolex - Yacht-Master

116680, Stainless Steel, Mercedes Hands, White Dial, 44 mm

226627, RLX Titanium, Black Dial, 42 mm

126621, Stainless Steel and Rose Gold, Chocolate dial, 40 mm

268655, Oysterflex, 18K Rose Gold, Black Dial, 37 mm

116688, 18K Yellow Gold, White Dial, 44 mm

126622, Oyster, Steel & Platinum, Blue Dial, 40 mm

126621, Steel & 18K Rose Gold, Black Dial, 40 mm

• Black 4 items
• Blue 1 item
• White 2 items
• Chocolate 1 item
• Yacht-Master 5 items
• Yacht-Master II 2 items
• Yacht-Master 40 1 item
• Unworn 3 items
• Pre-Owned 5 items
• Stainless Steel 3 items
• Yellow Gold 1 item
• Rose Gold 2 items
• Titanium 1 item
• Stainless Steel and Rose Gold 1 item
• 37MM 1 item
• 40MM 4 items
• 42MM 1 item
• 44MM 2 items
• Rubber 2 items
• Stainless Steel and Gold 1 item
• Stainless Steel 2 items
• $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 4 items
• $20,000.00 - $30,000.00 1 item
• $30,000.00 - $40,000.00 1 item
• $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 1 item
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.css-1c7en8u{font-size:clamp(1.375rem, 1.25rem + 0.3125vw, 3.125rem);line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:1rem;} Yacht-Master 40 .css-1g7r01k{font-weight:300;font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.9375rem + 0.1563vw, 1.25rem);line-height:1.2;text-wrap:balance;}.css-1g7r01k span{display:block;} Oyster, 40 mm, Everose gold Reference 126655

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Staying on course

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 in 18 ct Everose gold with an Oysterflex bracelet.

The oysterflex bracelet, highly resistant and durable.

The Yacht-Master’s new Oysterflex bracelet, developed by Rolex and patented, offers a sporty alternative to metal bracelets. The bracelet attaches to the watch case and the Oysterlock safety clasp by a flexible titanium and nickel alloy metal blade.

The blade is overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer which is particularly resistant to environmental effects, very durable and perfectly inert for the wearer of the watch. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with a patented longitudinal cushion system that stabilizes the watch on the wrist and fitted with an 18 ct Everose gold Oysterlock safety clasp. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, designed by the brand and patented. This inventive toothed mechanism, integrated beneath the clasp, allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length by some 15 mm in increments of approximately 2.5 mm, without the use of tools.

18 ct Everose gold

An exclusive patent

To preserve the beauty of its pink gold watches, Rolex created and patented an exclusive 18 ct pink gold alloy cast in its own foundry: Everose gold.

Introduced in 2005, 18 ct Everose is used on all Rolex Oyster models in pink gold.

Bidirectional Rotatable Bezel

Timing the distance.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt, sand-blasted background.

This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Intense black dial

Exceptional legibility.

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 40 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display.

The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   126655

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Oyster, 40 mm, Everose gold

Oyster architecture

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

Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matt black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

3235, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Instantaneous date with rapid setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 70 hours

Flexible metal blades overmoulded with high-performance elastomer

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system

Intense black

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 40

Contact an Official Rolex Retailer

Only official Rolex retailers 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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