The Rolex Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II embody the spirit of the sailor. Inspired by the rich heritage that has bound Rolex to the world of sailing since the 1950s, the Yacht-Master blends function and style, while the Yacht-Master II brings together the finest in Rolex technology to create a regatta chronograph built for yachting competition.
Sleek, sporty, distinguished: the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master symbolizes the privileged ties between Rolex and the world of sailing that stretch back to the 1950s. It is the only Oyster Professional model offered in three sizes: 42, 40 and 37 mm.
The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made of Cerachrom insert in black ceramic, 18 ct yellow gold or 950 platinum. 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.
The Yacht-Master’s Oysterflex bracelet, developed and patented by Rolex, offers an attractive 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 over moulded with high-performance black elastomer, particularly resistant to environmental effects. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with a patented longitudinal cushion system. It is fitted with an 18 ct Everose or white gold Oysterlock safety clasp that prevents accidental opening.
The Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, at the forefront of the art of watchmaking, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. This calibre equips a Yacht-Master watch for the first time.
The Yacht-Master II is designed to meet the needs of professional sailors. This regatta chronograph features the world's first programmable countdown with a mechanical memory. It provides precise synchronization with the crucial starting sequence of a yacht race. The design of the Yacht-Master II is inspired by Maxi yachts, those masters of the seas that marry technology, elegance and performance. Its lines are fluid and functional. The pushers suggest racing yacht winches wound with sheets. On the bezel, the name of the Yacht-Master II is displayed like the name of a boat on the hull. The rotatable bezel, with its function of setting the regatta countdown, is reminiscent of a yacht’s wheel.
As in any contest of speed, precision is of the essence in a regatta. The Yacht-Master II features an unprecedented mechanical function: a countdown that can be programmed from 1 to 10 minutes and allows skippers to precisely time and follow each race’s official starting procedure. This flexibility is one of the major assets of the Yacht-Master II; its development was a considerable technological challenge. Rolex engineers devoted 35,000 hours to developing this complication.
The programming can be mechanically memorized. Furthermore, once the watch’s countdown is launched, it can be synchronized with the official race countdown.
Rolex achieved perfection when it turned its attention to redefining the purpose and functionality of the bezel. Typically, a rotatable 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.
