Diksia.com - The Rolex Yacht-Master is a watch that embodies the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s. Designed specifically for navigators and skippers, the Yacht-Master provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water.
The Yacht-Master is easily recognizable for its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel, which enables the wearer to read time intervals, such as the sailing time between two buoys. The bezel is made of precious materials, such as platinum or gold, and has raised numerals and graduations that stand out against a sand-blasted background.
The Yacht-Master also features a distinctive dial, with large hour markers and hands coated with luminescent material for enhanced legibility in all lighting conditions. The dial bears the name “Yacht-Master” in red or turquoise, echoing the color of the seconds hand. The date window is located at 3 o’clock, with a Cyclops lens for magnification.
The Yacht-Master is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, certified as a Superlative Chronometer by Rolex and the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This means that the watch has passed rigorous tests of precision, reliability, and resistance to shocks, temperature variations, and magnetic fields. The movement also has a Perpetual rotor, which allows the watch to be wound by the natural movements of the wrist, and a Parachrom hairspring, which enhances the stability of the oscillator.
The Yacht-Master is fitted with an Oyster bracelet, which is robust and comfortable, and has a folding Oysterlock safety clasp to prevent accidental opening. The bracelet also has an Easylink extension system, which allows the wearer to adjust the length by about 5 mm, for optimal comfort in any situation.
The Yacht-Master is available in different sizes, materials, and colors, to suit the preferences and personalities of its owners. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and recent models of the Yacht-Master, and discover why this watch is the emblematic watch of the sailing world.
The Yacht-Master 40
The Yacht-Master 40 is the classic and versatile model of the Yacht-Master range, with a case diameter of 40 mm. It was launched in 1992, as the first Professional-category watch to be offered in three sizes: 29, 35, and 40 mm. The Yacht-Master 40 has a water resistance rating of 100 metres (330 feet), and a triple-locking winding crown system taken from Rolex’s famous family of saturation diving watches.
The Yacht-Master 40 is available in different combinations of materials and colors, such as:
- Rolesium: a combination of Oystersteel and platinum, with a platinum bezel and a steel case and bracelet. The dial can be dark rhodium or blue, with a red or turquoise seconds hand and inscription.
- Everose Rolesor: a combination of Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold, with an Everose gold bezel and a steel and Everose gold case and bracelet. The dial can be chocolate or slate, with a turquoise seconds hand and inscription.
- Yellow Rolesor: a combination of Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold, with a yellow gold bezel and a steel and yellow gold case and bracelet. The dial can be black or champagne, with a red seconds hand and inscription.
- Oysterflex: a combination of Oystersteel and Everose gold, with an Everose gold bezel and a black elastomer strap with flexible metal blades inside. The dial can be black or chocolate, with a turquoise seconds hand and inscription.
The Yacht-Master 40 is a watch that can adapt to any occasion, from casual to formal, from sporty to elegant. It is a watch that reflects the spirit of the open seas, and the passion for sailing.
The Yacht-Master 42
The Yacht-Master 42 is the newest and largest model of the Yacht-Master range, with a case diameter of 42 mm. It was introduced in 2019, as the first Yacht-Master to be crafted in 18 ct white gold4. The Yacht-Master 42 has a water resistance rating of 100 metres (330 feet), and a triple-locking winding crown system taken from Rolex’s famous family of saturation diving watches.
The Yacht-Master 42 has a striking contrast between the black ceramic bezel and the white gold case and bracelet. The bezel has a Cerachrom insert, which is scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and unaffected by UV rays. The bezel also has a patented system that allows for a precise and secure setting of the time intervals.
The Yacht-Master 42 has a black dial, with large hour markers and hands coated with luminescent material for enhanced legibility in all lighting conditions. The dial bears the name “Yacht-Master” in red, echoing the color of the seconds hand. The date window is located at 3 o’clock, with a Cyclops lens for magnification.
The Yacht-Master 42 is powered by the calibre 3235, a new-generation movement that incorporates the Chronergy escapement, which increases the efficiency of the power reserve by 15%. The movement also has a Paraflex shock absorber, which improves the resistance to shocks by 50%. The movement has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer by Rolex and the COSC.
The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with an Oyster bracelet, which is robust and comfortable, and has a folding Oysterlock safety clasp to prevent accidental opening. The bracelet also has an Easylink extension system, which allows the wearer to adjust the length by about 5 mm, for optimal comfort in any situation.
The Yacht-Master 42 is a watch that exudes sophistication and refinement, with a touch of sportiness and adventure. It is a watch that showcases the excellence and innovation of Rolex, and the allure of the sailing world.
The Yacht-Master II
The Yacht-Master II is the most complex and functional model of the Yacht-Master range, with a case diameter of 44 mm. It was launched in 2007, as the first watch to feature a programmable countdown with a mechanical memory, which can be synchronized on the fly. This function is designed for yacht racing, as it allows the skipper to precisely time and follow each race’s official starting procedure.
The Yacht-Master II has a distinctive and colorful dial, with a blue ceramic bezel and a red triangular countdown hand. The bezel is marked with a 10-minute scale, which can be rotated to set the desired countdown duration. The bezel is also linked to the movement, which allows for a simple and intuitive setting of the function.
The Yacht-Master II has a water resistance rating of 100 metres (330 feet), and a triple-locking winding crown system taken from Rolex’s famous family of saturation diving watches. The dial has large hour markers and hands coated with luminescent material for enhanced legibility in all lighting conditions. The dial also has two sub-dials, one for the small seconds at 6 o’clock, and one for the countdown at 3 o’clock. The date window is located at 4:30, with a Cyclops lens for magnification.
The Yacht-Master II is powered by the calibre 4161, a self-winding mechanical movement that incorporates the Ring Command system, which allows the user to activate and adjust the countdown function by rotating the bezel. The movement also has a column wheel and a vertical clutch, which ensure a precise and smooth start and stop of the chronograph. The movement has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer by Rolex and the COSC.
The Yacht-Master II is available in different combinations of materials and colors, such as:
- Oystersteel: with a steel bezel, case, and bracelet. The dial can be white or blue, with red and blue accents.
- Everose Rolesor: a combination of Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold, with an Everose gold bezel and a steel and Everose gold case and bracelet. The dial can be white or blue, with red and blue accents.
- Yellow gold: with a yellow gold bezel, case, and bracelet. The dial can be white or blue, with red and blue accents.
- White gold: with a white gold bezel, case, and bracelet. The dial can be white or blue, with red and blue accents.
The Yacht-Master II is a watch that demonstrates the technical mastery and innovation of Rolex, and the passion and excitement of yacht racing. It is a watch that offers a unique and sophisticated function, with a bold and distinctive design.
The History of the Yacht-Master
The Yacht-Master is a relatively young model in the Rolex family, as it was introduced in 1992, more than 40 years after the first Rolex watch dedicated to sailing, the Submariner. However, the Yacht-Master has a rich and fascinating history, as it is the result of decades of research and development, and of close collaboration with the sailing community.
The origins of the Yacht-Master can be traced back to the 1960s, when Rolex experimented with a new model called the Sea-Dweller, which was designed for professional divers who needed a watch that could withstand extreme depths and pressures. The Sea-Dweller had a helium escape valve, which allowed the excess gas to escape from the watch during decompression, and a thicker case and crystal, which increased the water resistance to 610 metres (2,000 feet).
However, Rolex also realized that there was a demand for a more elegant and refined version of the Sea-Dweller, which could appeal to the leisure divers and the yacht owners, who did not need such a high level of performance, but still wanted a reliable and stylish watch. Therefore, Rolex created a prototype of a new model, which was based on the Sea-Dweller, but had a slimmer case, a date window, and a bi-directional bezel with 15-minute graduations. The prototype was named the Yacht-Master, and was intended to be launched in 1967, but it never made it to the market, as Rolex decided to focus on the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller instead.
The Yacht-Master prototype remained a secret for many years, until it was revealed to the public in 1992, when Rolex finally launched the Yacht-Master as a new model, with a case diameter of 40 mm. The Yacht-Master was the first Professional-category watch to be offered in three sizes: 29, 35, and 40 mm. It was also the first Rolex watch to feature the Rolesium concept, which is a combination of Oystersteel and platinum.
The Yacht-Master was well received by the sailing enthusiasts, as it offered a perfect balance between functionality and elegance, and a distinctive nautical style. The Yacht-Master also became the official watch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the most prestigious and challenging sailing events in the world.
In 2007, Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master II, which was a revolutionary watch that featured a programmable countdown with a mechanical memory, which could be synchronized on the fly. The Yacht-Master II was designed for yacht racing, and was the result of more than 35,000 hours of development. The Yacht-Master II was also the first Rolex watch to have a case diameter of 44 mm, and to be crafted in 18 ct white gold .
In 2019, Rolex added a new model to the Yacht-Master range, the Yacht-Master 42, which was the first Yacht-Master to have a case diameter of 42 mm, and to be crafted in 18 ct white gold. The Yacht-Master 42 had a striking contrast between the black ceramic bezel and the white gold case and bracelet, and a new-generation movement that increased the power reserve and the precision.
The Yacht-Master is a watch that reflects the evolution and innovation of Rolex, and the passion and tradition of the sailing world. It is a watch that has a rich and fascinating history, and a bright and promising future.
Why Choose the Yacht-Master?
The Yacht-Master is a watch that offers many benefits and advantages for the sailing enthusiasts, and for anyone who appreciates a high-quality and stylish watch. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose the Yacht-Master:
- The Yacht-Master is a watch that combines functionality and style, as it provides useful features for sailing, such as the bidirectional rotatable bezel, the luminescent dial, and the programmable countdown, and also has a refined and elegant design, with precious materials, such as platinum, gold, and ceramic .
- The Yacht-Master is a watch that is reliable and durable, as it has a water resistance rating of 100 metres (330 feet), a triple-locking winding crown system, a self-winding mechanical movement, a Perpetual rotor, a Parachrom hairspring, a Paraflex shock absorber, and a Chronergy escapement . These features ensure that the watch can withstand the harsh conditions of the sea, and the daily wear and tear, and maintain a high level of precision and performance.
- The Yacht-Master is a watch that is versatile and adaptable, as it is available in different sizes, materials, and colors, to suit the preferences and personalities of its owners. The Yacht-Master can also be worn on any occasion, from casual to formal, from sporty to elegant, as it has a timeless and universal appeal.
- The Yacht-Master is a watch that is emblematic and prestigious, as it embodies the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s. The Yacht-Master is also the official watch of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the most prestigious and challenging sailing events in the world.
The Yacht-Master is a watch that is more than just a watch, it is a symbol of excellence and passion, of adventure and sophistication, of tradition and innovation. It is a watch that is the perfect companion for the sailing world, and for the world at large.
