The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master (hereafter referred to as the Yacht-Master) is the watch of choice for watch enthusiasts who enjoy yachting and leisure activities at sea. What is the history of the Yacht-Master from its birth to the present? Let's take a look at the history of the brand and the yachting world, as well as the Yacht-Master's lineage.
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The History of Rolex and Yachting
The Yacht-Master luxury sports line for yachting is a relatively new collection within Rolex, but Rolex has had a deep connection with yachting since the 1950s.
Understanding the relationship between Rolex and yachts will make learning about the history and evolution of the Yacht-Master even more interesting.
1958: Partnership with the Yacht Club
As of 2023, Rolex watches have been selected as the official timepieces of the yacht races "SailGP" and "52 Super Series." Rolex has a very deep relationship with the yachting world.
Rolex's first partnership with a yacht club was with the New York Yacht Club in 1958. Since then, the brand has maintained ties with yacht clubs around the world and continues to support the sport of yachting.
Rolex's passion for the yachting world was the driving force behind the development of the Yacht-Master. Yacht racing requires precise positioning using a high-precision chronometer. Therefore, Rolex not only released the Yacht-Master, which was designed for beach resorts, but also the Yacht-Master II, which was designed for serious yachting sports.
Yacht-Master History and Lineage
The Yacht-Master is a professional collection that was introduced in the 1990s and is positioned above the Submariner in the entire Rolex collection.
Let's take a look at the history of the Yacht-Master, from the beginning of the collection to the introduction of a new generation movement.
1992: The first Yacht-Master is launched
When Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992, it further strengthened its ties to the yachting world.When Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992, it further strengthened its ties to the yachting world.
The first Yacht-Master was part of the yellow gold series, including the reference 16628. The Cyclops lens that magnifies the date display is made of sturdy sapphire crystal, and the movement Caliber 3135 featured a mechanism that instantly changed the date at midnight.
1999: The Rolesium Yacht-Master is introduced
The photo shows the current model, "Rolesium." Automatic (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve: approximately 70 hours. Stainless steel and platinum case (diameter 40mm, thickness 11.5mm). Water resistant to 100m.
Rolex introduced the Rolesium Yacht-Master in 1999. Rolesium is a material made from a combination of 904L stainless steel (Oystersteel) and 950 platinum.
By using some stainless steel for the watch, the price was lowered and it was marketed as a more affordable watch than previous models, and the Rolexium Yacht-Master quickly became a popular model.
There are also current Rolesium Yacht-Master models, such as the 40mm reference 126622. It features a bidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale, allowing you to measure sailing times.
2019: Release of the Yacht-Master equipped with Caliber 3235
In 2019, Rolex will release a Yacht-Master equipped with the new-generation movement, Caliber 3235, which is entirely manufactured in-house. Current Rolesium models include the previously introduced Ref. 126622 and Ref. 126655.
Rolex introduced the Caliber 3235 in 2015. This marks a generational change from the Caliber 3135, with approximately 90% of the parts being newly designed. In addition to improvements to improve the efficiency of the escapement, the hands rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation of the crown.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Ti case (diameter 42 mm, thickness 11.6 mm). Water resistant to 100 m.
The Caliber 3235 is also used in the new 2023 titanium Yacht-Master, Ref. 226627, which is crafted from RLX Titanium, a Grade 5 titanium alloy specially developed by Rolex.
A wide variety of current models
The Yacht-Master has undergone continuous evolution since the 1990s, and various models have been added to its lineup. Current models are available in case sizes of 42mm, 40mm, and 37mm, and within these sizes, variations in materials and designs are available. Some models are rare and difficult to obtain, but we hope you will find one that suits you.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18K yellow gold case (diameter 42 mm, thickness 11.6 mm). Water resistant to 100 m.
A rare model with a falcon's eye dial. Automatic (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18K white gold case (diameter 42mm, thickness 11.6mm). Water resistant to 100m.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. SS x 18K ERG case (diameter 40mm, thickness 11.5mm). Water resistant to 100m.
Automatic winding (Cal. 3235). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. 18KERG case (diameter 40mm, thickness 11.5mm). Water resistant to 100m.
Automatic winding (Cal. 2236). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. Stainless steel and platinum case (37mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m.
Yacht-Master II History and Lineage
The Yacht-Master II is a watch that was released as a higher-end model of the Yacht-Master. Unlike the Yacht-Master, which is designed for beach resorts, it was made for serious yacht racing. Rolex continues to release new models of this chronograph, which is on a par with the Daytona.
Learn about the history and evolution of the Yacht-Master II and use it as a reference when choosing your favorite one.
2007: Birth of a full-fledged yacht sports model
In 2007, 15 years after the release of the first Yacht-Master model, Rolex introduced the Ref. 116688 and Ref. 116689 as part of its professional line for yacht racing. These were the first models of the Yacht-Master II.
The Ring Command bezel of the Regatta Chronograph, which has a countdown function, is linked to an internal mechanism, allowing it to be set to match the start of the race. Another difference from the Yacht-Master is that it can correct any errors.
Its distinctive appearance is its large 44mm case size, which makes a stronger statement compared to the 40mm Yacht-Master.
In 2017, the design of the hands and indexes was changed for all models. The models currently in production feature the Mercedes hands and dot indexes that are synonymous with the Professional Line.
Automatic winding (Cal. 4161). 42 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K yellow gold case (diameter 44 mm, thickness 13.9 mm). Water resistant to 100 m.
2013: The Oystersteel model
Automatic winding (Cal. 4161). 42 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 44 mm, thickness 13.9 mm). Water resistant to 100 m.
The Oystersteel model of the Yacht-Master II was released in 2013. The Ref. 116680 is equipped with the Caliber 4161, an improved version of the Caliber 4160 found in the Yacht-Master II, improving countdown performance.
Oystersteel is a metal material exclusive to Rolex. It is currently more corrosion-resistant than stainless steel. The extremely hard Oyster case would not have been possible without this material.
The case and bracelet of the reference 116680 are made of Oystersteel. The graduated bezel is made of blue ceramic. Like the original Yacht-Master II, the current production model features Mercedes-Benz hands and dot indices.
Automatic winding (Cal. 4161). 42 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. SS x 18K ERG case (diameter 44mm, thickness 13.9mm). Water resistant to 100m.
The current lineup also includes Rolesor models in Oystersteel and 18K Everose gold, with the reddish Everose gold adding a touch of color, creating a watch that blends sportiness with elegance.
The history of Rolex and yachting on your wrist
When you pick up a Rolex Yacht-Master or Yacht-Master II, you can sense the brand's history with the world of yachting, a connection that stretches back more than 65 years, dating back to 1958.
The Yacht-Master has undergone many changes, from the first model to the current model. You can enjoy choosing your favorite watch while feeling the progress of the watch.
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