quotazione rolex yacht master

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.

• Skip to content
• Skip to footer

• Français

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40

Related content

Oyster Perpetual Air-King

Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

Shop New Arrivals

Rolesium Yacht-Master 116622

With its debut just two years ago at Baselworld 2016, the Yacht-Master ref. 116622 has quickly established itself as a coveted Rolex luxury watch. Part sporty part precious, this modern Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 plays up both sides beautifully. Let’s explore all the glorious details.

The Rolesium Yacht-Master 40

Whereas Rolesor refers to Rolex combining steel and gold on a two-tone watch, Rolesium is when rugged stainless steel and ultra-precious platinum meet on a Rolex watch. The Rolex ref. 116622 is indeed a Rolesium Yacht-Master model where the 40mm Oyster case and sporty Oyster bracelet are crafted in stainless steel while the bezel is made from platinum.

Although steel and platinum are both white metals – thus lend a monochromatic look to the watch – the Yacht-Master offers great contrasting textures. From the opposing high-polished raised numerals on the bezel set against a sandblasted background to the polished center links on the bracelet flanked by the brushed-finish outer links, the Yacht-Master ref. 116622 is always interesting to look at.

In terms of dial options, there’s the dark rhodium dial accented with a turquoise seconds hand and the turquoise YACHT-MASTER text or the blue dial with red accents. There’s plenty of lume on the Rolesium Yacht-Master for ideal legibility in low light and of course, the signature date window at 3 o’clock along with the Cyclops magnification lens on the sapphire crystal.

The Yacht-Master’s Caliber 3135

Often dubbed as Rolex’s workhorse, the Caliber 3135 has been an important movement for the company since 1988. This particular automatic movement powers many of Rolex’s timepieces including the Rolesium Yacht-Master ref. 116622.

The Caliber 3135 provides a power reserve of around 48 hours and as of 2015—a year before the launch of the Yacht-Master ref. 116622—Rolex redefined their “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation to guarantee an impressive accuracy rating of -2/+2 seconds per day. The self-winding caliber also boasts the paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring for improved resistance to magnetic fields and daily knocks.

Date Function

Naturally, as one of Rolex’s newer models, the Rolesium Yacht-Master 116622 includes the quickset date function where the date window is adjusted independently from the center timekeeping hands, in addition to the hacking feature where the seconds hands stops when the crown is pulled out for precise time-setting.

Ready For Marine Lifestyle

Finally, as its name suggests, the Yacht-Master 40 is perfectly suited for a marine lifestyle thanks in part to its 100-meter (330 feet) water resistance. To keep the water and dust out, there’s the Triplock screw-down winding crown and the fluted caseback.

A wonderful addition to the Rolex catalog, the   Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 is casually elegant, yet practical and durable. Just the thing to wear while sailing the seas.

What do you think about the The Rolesium Yacht-Master 40? Do you like Rolesium Rolex watches? Share your opinions with us in the comment section below.

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.

Bob's Watches Blog Updates

Sign up and be the first to read exclusive articles and the latest horological news.

Bob's Watches / Rolex Blog / Watch Review

Recommended Articles

On a Mission with the MilSub 5513

Vintage Watch Reviews Under $30k: The Rolex Explorer Reference 1016

Dawn Patrol: Cruising With the Rolex Deepsea in the New Rolls-Royce

You may also like.

Rolex Explorer

Rolex Explorer 124273 Black Arabic Dial

Rolex Daytona

Rolex Daytona 116500LN Black Dial

Rolex Daytona 116500 Black Ceramic Model

• Review Your Watch
• Our Mission
• Fifth Wrist Radio

Owner Review: Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622

What's it like to wear the rolex yacht-master.

| Wrist Size: 7 inch

Before we get to my Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 review, we need some background. In 1992 Rolex introduced a watch that shared the silhouette of their beloved Submariner but in solid 18k yellow gold, embossed YG bezel insert soldered to the bezel, funky white dial, and the unusual name “Yacht-Master” written where “Submariner” would normally live. People then and now still wonder.. “Why?”.

Rumor has it Rolex wanted to drastically update the Submariner but were scared that the changes were too extreme. The Submariner was essentially their poster child and arguably their most iconic watch. Fearing backlash, they created a whole new line. Rolex rarely creates completely new watches, the last time they made a new watch before the Rolex Yacht-Master was in 1964 when the Daytona was introduced. Luckily it paid off as the Yacht-Master was pretty well received!

Even though the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 at first glance looks very similar to the Submariner it’s a totally different wearing experience. The case shape is completely different from the Sub. Its case profile is composed of compound curves with the lugs swooping downwards very similar to a Daytona, the case is also fully polished. My particular Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 being Roleisum (Rolex’s term for the combination of Platinum and Steel which was first introduced in 1999 with the ref. 16622), in combination with the blue sunburst dial and red accents, gives it such a unique aesthetic it sets it apart in Rolex’s catalog. Rolex I think perfected their blue dials, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Pictures do not do it justice whatsoever. In person, it appears much darker, almost black however in direct light that’s when the striking blue hue pops. The date function is also very convenient!

What is it like to wear a Rolex Yacht-Master? I would describe it as the most comfortable and stressful watch I have ever worn and owned. What most people don’t realize is that it’s a thin watch and I mean THIN. At 11.5mm it’s just as thin or even thinner than a 34mm 114200 Air-King! Like what? The case hugs your wrist amazingly while the oyster bracelet seems to caress you. It makes you want to wear it every single day, I mean how could you not? Thin, sporty, beautiful, comfortable and low key a strap monster. Until you see a scratch or nick on the solid Platinum bezel insert, call up Rolex Service Center to see how much it would be to replace it and they slap you in the face with a $2500 (before taxes) quote for JUST the bezel/bezel insert assembly (they’re soldered together remember?). Then you think “Okay, okay which Seiko ’s do I sell to cover the cost of a freaking bezel”. Did I mention the case is fully polished?

Has this ever happened to me? No, because I’m extremely OCD, however I was curious and called RSC, I also used to own the 16622 and was trained to wear long sleeves only, only wear it sparingly, cover my wrist when walking through doorways, never let it touch denim (yes, denim will scratch it apparently), and for all I know never sneeze near it or even look at it too long because for all I know that could probably scratch it too. To top it all off, of COURSE the bracelet and clasp has Polished Center Links! While I am exaggerating the fragility of the Rolex Yacht-Master, the stress of potentially scuffing it is real.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 is arguably one of my favorite watches ever made. I never thought I’d ever get to own one. It’s beautiful, ridiculously comfortable, relatively uncommon, however so stressful to wear. I have owned it for almost exactly one year and I personally try to enjoy every second I wear it; I even strap changed it with zero scuffs! I have and I do but my OCD and extreme caution lends itself to be a difficult one to fully appreciate without worry. I’ve debated if this watch was right for me all the time. However, I would recommend this watch to anyone minutely interested. I have no regrets having owned two of them like an insane person, but who in the watch collecting world isn’t insane?

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622

• Very comfortable to wear.
• Beautiful aesthetics.
• Has many color ways.
• Stressful to wear.
• Scratches relatively easily.
• Difficult to even buy.

Review Breakdown

• Wearability 0%

Related Posts

Owner review: Rolex Submariner Ceramic 114060

The supercase, love it or hate it, is a fixture of the Rolex Submariner Ceramic 114060. Despite its chunky lugs there is much to love about this Rolex staple. I had always lusted after the...

Owner review: Rolex 16234 DateJust

Are you tired of looking at your boring, unremarkable watch every day? Do you long for something that will make you the envy of all your friends? Well, look no further because the Rolex 16234...

Recent ROLEX Reviews

January 26, 2023

January 6, 2023

November 11, 2022

November 3, 2022

• A. LANGE & SÖHNE
• ARES WATCH CO.
• ARMAND NICOLET
• ASTOR+BANKS
• AUDEMARS PIGUET
• BELL & ROSS
• BRADLEY TAYLOR
• CALIPER TIMEPIECES
• CHASE DURER
• CHRISTOPHER WARD
• COLIBRICA DESIGN
• DANIEL ROTH
• ECHO/NEUTRA
• ESCAPEMENT TIME
• FELIPE PIKULLIK
• FRANCK MULLER
• FREDERIQUE CONSTANT
• FURLAN MARRI
• GERALD GENTA
• GIRARD-PERREGAUX
• GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL
• GRAND SEIKO
• GRUPPO GAMMA
• Hentschel Hamburg
• HOLTHINRICHS WATCHES
• J. N. SHAPIRO
• JAEGER-LECOULTRE
• JAQUET DROZ
• JS WATCH CO
• KIESER DESIGN
• KURONO TOKYO
• LUNDIS BLEUS
• MARTIN BRAUN
• MASSENA LAB
• MEISTERSINGER
• NICHOLAS HACKO WATCH
• NITE WATCHES
• NIVADA GRENCHEN
• NOMOS GLASHÜTTE
• OAK & OSCAR
• OCHS UND JUNIOR
• OLLECH & WAJS
• PAGANI DESIGN
• PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
• PATEK PHILIPPE
• PORSCHE DESIGN
• Ralph Lauren
• RICHARD MILLE
• ROEBUCK WATCH COMPANY
• ROGER DUBUIS
• ROMAIN JEROME
• SALVADOR DALI
• Seven Friday
• SPEAKE-MARIN
• STUDIO UNDERD0G
• TIAN HARLAN
• ULYSSE NARDIN
• Uncategorized Brands
• UNION GLASHUTTE
• UNIVERSAL GENEVE
• URBAN JURGENSEN
• VACHERON CONSTANTIN
• Vortic Watch Company

© 2024 Fifth Wrist - Brutally honest watch reviews.

• The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide
• Conditions of use
• Our mission

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

• Rolex Certified Pre-Owned
• Brands Featured Rolex Breitling Cartier Hublot IWC Schaffhausen OMEGA TAG Heuer TUDOR Brands A-Z 886 by The Royal Mint Accurist BALL Bamford Baume & Mercier Bell & Ross Bijoux Birks BOSS Breitling Bremont BVLGARI Calvin Klein Cartier Certina CHANEL Chopard Citizen DOXA   Duckworth Prestex Elliot Brown Emporio Armani Encelade 1789 Fabergé FENDI FOPE FRED Frederique Constant Garmin Georg Jensen Girard-Perregaux Glashütte Original Goldsmiths Grand Seiko Gucci Hamilton Hublot   ID Genève IKEPOD IWC Schaffhausen Jacob & Co Jaeger-LeCoultre Jenny Packham Junghans Kiki McDonough Lauren By Ralph Lauren Longines Louis Erard --> Mappin & Webb Marco Bicego MARIA TASH Maurice Lacroix MeisterSinger Michael Kors Messika Mondaine   Montblanc Nivada Grenchen NOMOS Glashütte NORQAIN Olivia Burton OMEGA Oris Panerai Pasquale Bruni Piaget Pomellato QLOCKTWO Rado RAYMOND WEIL Roberto Coin Rolex Seiko Sekonda   Skagen Susan Caplan SUZANNE KALAN SWAROVSKI Swiss Capsule TAG Heuer Ted Baker THOMAS SABO Tissot Tommy Hilfiger TUDOR Ulysse Nardin Vivienne Westwood William Wood Watches WOLF ZENITH

• Sell Your Watch Sell your watch We will expertly assess your watch and offer you a competitive and accurate valuation for the watch you wish to sell to us. Free Instant Valuation Drop off at any Showroom Unrivalled Knowledge & Expertise Get Your Valuation Information Get a Valuation Sell Your Watch FAQ Terms & Conditions

• Shop by Category
• Shop All Sale
• All Sale Jewellery
• Diamond Jewellery
• Engagement Rings
• Wedding Rings
• Eternity Rings
• All Sale Watches
• Mens Watches
• Ladies Watches
• Luxury Watches
• Designer Watches
• Pre-Owned Watches
• Mappin & Webb
• Vivienne Westwood
• View All Brands
• Less Than £50
• £101 - £250
• £251 - £500
• £501 - £1,000
• £1,001 - £2,500
• £2,501 - £5,000
• More Than £5,000
• Diamond Jewellery Offers
• Shop All Diamonds
• Diamonds Home
• Diamond Bracelets
• Diamond Earrings
• Diamond Necklaces
• Diamond Rings
• Diamond Gifts
• Bridal Sets
• Bijoux Birks
• Jenny Packham
• SUZANNE KALAN
• Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond
• Limited Edition
• Engagement Ring Offers
• Shop All Engagement Rings
• Engagement Rings Home
• Diamond Engagement Rings
• Coloured Gemstones Rings
• Solitaire Rings
• Three Stone Rings
• Cluster Rings
• Vintage Rings

• Yellow Gold
• Wedding Ring Offers
• 20% Off Selected Wedding Rings
• Shop All Wedding Rings
• Wedding Rings Home
• Ladies Rings
• Diamond Set
• Shop All Bridal Jewellery
• Bespoke Wedding Rings
• Bespoke Eternity Rings
• Recycled Wedding Rings
• Wedding Guide
• Jewellery Offers
• Shop All Jewellery
• Jewellery Home
• Jewellery Gifts
• Cases & Boxes
• All Gold Jewellery
• Pearl Jewellery
• Ruby Jewellery
• Sapphire Jewellery
• All Coloured Gemstones
• All Gemstone Jewellery
• 886 by The Royal Mint
• Calvin Klein
• Emporio Armani
• Georg Jensen
• Kiki McDonough
• Lauren By Ralph Lauren
• Marco Bicego
• Michael Kors
• Olivia Burton
• Pasquale Bruni
• Roberto Coin
• Susan Caplan
• THOMAS SABO
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Team GB x Mappin & Webb
• Luxury Jewellery
• Designer Jewellery
• Vintage Jewellery
• Online Exclusives
• Birthstones
• Ear Curation
• Luxury Collection
• Watch Offers
• Shop All Watches
• Watches Home
• Cases & Accessories
• Watch Winders
• Best Sellers
• Classic Watches
• Limited Editions
• Diamond Watches
• Dive Watches
• Smart Watches
• Baume & Mercier
• Bell & Ross
• Frederique Constant
• Girard-Perregaux
• Glashütte Original
• Grand Seiko
• IWC Schaffhausen
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• MeisterSinger
• Nivada Grenchen
• NOMOS Glashütte
• RAYMOND WEIL
• Ulysse Nardin
• Maurice Lacroix
• The Collection
• Visit Us In Store
• Womens Watches
• Gold Watches
• GMT-Master II
• Oyster Perpetual
• Cosmograph Daytona
• Yacht-Master
• Lady-Datejust
• Sea-Dweller
• Sky-Dweller
• Duckworth Prestex
• Elliot Brown
• Encelade 1789
• Swiss Capsule
• William Wood Watches
• Gifts For Her
• Gifts For Him
• Watch Gifts
• Jewellery Cases
• Travel & Storage
• £5,000 - £10,000
• More Than £10,000
• Shop All Pre-Owned
• Pre-Owned Home
• New Arrivals
• Pre-Owned Rolex
• Pre-Owned Patek Philippe
• Pre-Owned TAG Heuer
• Pre-Owned Cartier
• Pre-Owned Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Pre-Owned Breitling
• Pre-Owned OMEGA
• Pre-Owned Longines
• Pre-Owned Tudor
• Pre-Owned IWC
• Pre-Owned Panerai
• Pre-Owned Blancpain
• Pre-Owned Breguet
• Pre-Owned Chopard
• Pre-Owned Rado
• Pre-Owned Vacheron Constantin
• Pre-Owned Zenith
• Sell Your Watch
• Calibre - Watch News & Inspiration
• The Jewellery Edit - Jewellery News & Inspiration
• Store Finder
• Book an Appointment
• Delivery Information
• Click & Collect
• Returns & Refunds
• Payment Options
• Finance Options

• Rolex at Goldsmiths
• Rolex Collection
• New Watches 2023
• Our History
• Our Showrooms
• Servicing Your Rolex
• Rolex Watchmaking

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

Rolex yacht master watches.

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. For more information on the Rolex Yacht-Master watches we have for sale online and in our UK stores , simply get in touch and our team of specialists will assist you. Alternatively, select the 'Live Help' button to open our online chat for expert advice.

• Dark dial (6)
• Light dial (2)
• Coloured dial (1)
• Gem-set dial (1)
• Platinum (2)
• Oystersteel (1)
• RLX titanium (1)
• Large size (10)
• Mid-size (3)

Keep Exploring

* All prices are Rolex's suggested retail price inclusive of V.A.T. The prices of gem-set models are dependent on market fluctuations and therefore subject to variations. Rolex reserves the right to modify the prices and the models on this website at any time.

© 2024 Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secured Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

*Next day delivery available on most items. See product pages for more information.

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 Talking About Our Favorite GMT Watches From Tudor, Longines, And More

Watching Movies Robert Redford Debuts His Rolex 'Red Submariner' Ref. 1680 In The '70s Political Satire 'The Candidate'

Introducing Buci Paris And seconde/seconde/ Show Us Their Bleeding Heart For Poetry

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

Auctions A Unique Platinum Rolex Yacht-Master Is Coming Up For Sale. How High Could It Go?

Commissioned by the former rolex ceo for himself to commemorate rolex's 10 millionth chronometer, it's the most yacht-master of yacht-masters..

Rolex doesn't really make unique watches – at least, not that we hear about. That's what makes this platinum Yacht-Master, to be auctioned at Monaco Legend on April 22, so exceptional. It's a one-off prototype Yacht-Master commissioned by former Rolex CEO Patrick Heiniger in 1992, who had taken over as the CEO from his father, André, that same year.

Heiniger ordered the watch to celebrate the production of Rolex's 10 millionth chronometer-certified movement, as shown by the "Dix Millionieme Chronometre" on the dial. In addition to the platinum case, bracelet, and flip-lock clasp, the unique grey dial is set with blue sapphires and diamonds. The whole package is wonderful and opulent and gaudy in the best way possible. Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master line in 1992 as a kind of luxe alternative to the Submariner – the Sub was for divers in the ocean, the Yacht-Master for those cruising topside – and this prototype is the most Yacht-Master of Yacht-Masters.

The unique platinum Yacht-Master on Mark's wrist

For about as long as it's been around, Rolex has made accuracy and producing chronometers core to its identity and its omnipresent marketing. It's even given other landmark chronometers (the 50,000th or 100,000th, for example) to historical figures like Churchill and Eisenhower. But for number 10 million, it went all out with a platinum Yacht-Master.

In other words, when Rolex wanted to celebrate the most Rolex of anniversaries, this is how it did so. And it celebrated in the most Rolex of ways: the watch wasn't intended for the public, only Heiniger himself. By the way, it was an achievement worth celebrating – as our old friend Joe Thompson reported way back in 2010, Rolex made another seven million chronometers from 2000 through 2010, blowing by its next closest competitor, Omega, which produced 2.3 million during the same period.

According to Davide Parmegiani of Monaco Legend Group, on the day Heiniger introduced the new yellow-gold Yacht-Master in 1992, he had this platinum prototype on his wrist. Heiniger was CEO until 2008, and the Yacht-Master would be the only new model line he introduced during his tenure. Heiniger was just the third person to hold the top job at Rolex, after his father, who had run Rolex South America, took over the CEO position when Hans Wilsdorf died in 1960 (the job was left open for two years after Wilsdorf's death).

Monaco Legend Group has placed the estimate at €1 million to ⁠€2 million (about $1.1 to $2.2 million), and has even guaranteed the low estimate to the consignor, said to be a descendant of the Heiniger family.

This isn't the first platinum Rolex with Heiniger provenance we've seen over the past few years, and those previous watches have already brought in records, setting the mark for what a modern Rolex can achieve at auction.

In the late '90s, Heiniger also commissioned a series of platinum Daytonas – it's thought four were made, and that Heiniger kept one for himself. We've seen three sell at auction over the past five years, all with the reference number 16516 and each with a unique dial. In 2018, we saw the first appear: a platinum Daytona with a black mother-of-pearl dial. It sold for about $872,000 at Sotheby's . Then, in 2020, a 16516 with a lapis lazuli dial sold for $3.27 million . It set a record not just for an automatic Daytona, but any modern Rolex at auction. It was followed closely by the third example, a turquoise "Stella" 16516 that sold for $3.14 million in 2021 .

Unique platinum Daytonas, also commissioned by Heiniger – both sold for more than $3 million at Sotheby's over the past three years.

But this Yacht-Master is something different and completely unique. It also comes on a full platinum bracelet. And while at least a few of those Daytonas were gifts, the Yacht-Master was commissioned by Heiniger, for Heiniger.

"It's truly a prototype," said Justin Gruenberg of Loupe This and The Keystone. "Unlike those Daytonas, it wasn't serially produced, and has no serial or model number on it." As Parmegiani explained to us, it'd be years before Rolex made a platinum professional watch in series – the platinum Daytona only entered the catalog in 2013. 

While the Daytona has a lore all its own, the Yacht-Master isn't exactly considered "collectible" by modern standards – not yet, at least. You either love it or hate it. And especially among vintage collectors, more hate than love the Yacht-Master. 

"Like other relatively unpopular models – the original Explorer II 1655, the Milgauss – as style evolves, at a certain point there could be more of an appreciation for the Yacht-Master than there is today," Gruenberg said.

Meanwhile, some have already come around on the Yacht-Master, and this one in particular.

"It exemplifies today's trend of 'quiet luxury,'" dealer Zoe Abelson said, "with such a classic sporty design in a full platinum case and a silver dial that makes the diamonds somehow look subtle." While the platinum Yacht-Master might be the pinnacle of modern Rolex, it doesn't exactly scream so, even with its diamond and sapphire indices. Sure, it's a lot, but relatively subtle, as much as sapphires and diamonds on a platinum Rolex can ever really be subtle.

Most I talked to seemed to agree that despite (or perhaps, because of ) its love-it-or-hate-it aesthetic, the Yacht-Master should surpass the record for a modern Rolex set by that lapis lazuli Daytona ($3.27 million). As the 1990s edge farther into the rearview and attain the status of vintage, or at least "neo-vintage," we're starting to see collectors take more interest in this era of Rolex and figuring out the most collectible watches from the period. As far as rarity, none can match a unique Yacht-Master, even if the model itself is still a bit of an odd duck.

No, it's not Paul Newman's Paul Newman , the Bao Dai , or even Marlon Brando's GMT-Master , and it might not bring in bidders from outside watches – it's a Rolex celebrating Rolex . Parmegiani even admitted to us that, if a larger auction had been able to take this Yacht-Master on an international roadshow to tell its story, it might achieve a bigger result. Still, he's confident that smart collectors are paying attention and will understand the value of a truly one-of-one Yacht-Master. 

That's because, while a four-digit vintage Rolex might capture the heart (or at least, my heart) in a way a 1992 Yacht-Master never could, this platinum Yacht-Master is perhaps the first opportunity bidders have ever had to buy a guaranteed unique Rolex, and one with all kinds of historical importance to the brand. That's worth a lot, and by the time auction day rolls around, could make for a record-setting result.

As Rolex gets bigger and continues to command more of the watch world's attention, the myth around the brand also grows. And with that, watches like this become more interesting. Watches that are important if for no other reason than Rolex made them to be important, even if it never exactly intended for the public to see them.

Update: this Yacht-Master sold for $2.57 million (including buyer's premium) at Monaco Legend on April 22.

Auctions A Unique Habring² x Monochrome Split-Seconds Doppel 38 For Charity

By Anthony traina

Auctions Our Favorite Lots From This Weekend's Monaco Legend Auction

By Mark kauzlarich

Inside The Manufacture A Tour Of Tudor's New Manufacture In Le Locle

By James stacey

Pre-Owned Picks Five Rolex Watches Under $10K That Are Available Without The Wait

By Mark hackman

Top Discussions

Introducing Tudor Shocks Us All With The New Black Bay Chrono ‘Pink’

Recommended Reading Earth Is Spinning Faster Than Expected, And We May Have To Subtract A Whole Second From The World's Clocks

Last Week’s Top Stories

Introducing MoonSwatch + Snoopy! The Omega x Swatch 'Mission To The Moonphase' Has Landed

By Danny milton

Introducing Citizen's New Series 8 Is An Affordable Take On A Familiar Design (Live Pics)

Introducing The 42mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Is Back – Now In Titanium Or Rose Gold – And It's Really Good (Live Pics)

In-Depth Swiss High Court Rules On Lawsuit Between Rolex And Customizer Artisans de Geneve

Watching Movies Sigourney Weaver Battles The Xenomorph Wearing A Custom Double Casio F-100 In 'Alien'

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold m126621-0001

Price PHP 877,500 All prices are Rolex suggested retail prices inclusive of V.A.T. Prices can be modified at any time without notice.

Models availability

+63 2 8519 6107

Send us an email

Find a store

Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

Everose gold bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated with raised numerals

water-resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

3235, Manufacture Rolex

power reserve

Approximately 70 hours

Oyster, flat three-piece links

certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Size: Large size

Material: Oystersteel and gold

Watch Dial: Coloured dial, Dark dial

Collection: Rolex Yacht-Master

Bidirectional Rotatable Bezel

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made of precious materials. 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.

Chocolate Dial

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.

Everose Rolesor

Gold is coveted for its lustre and nobility. Steel reinforces strength and reliability. Together, they harmoniously combine the best of their properties. A true Rolex signature, Rolesor has featured on Rolex models since the early 1930s, and was trademarked as a name in 1933. It is one of the prominent pillars of the Oyster collection.

MODEL AVAILABILITY

All Rolex watches are assembled by hand with the utmost care to ensure exceptional quality. Such high standards naturally restrict Rolex production capacity and, at times, the demand for Rolex watches outpaces this capacity.

Therefore, the availability of certain models may be limited. New Rolex watches are exclusively sold by Official Rolex Retailers, who receive regular deliveries and independently manage the allocation and sales of watches to customers.

Lucerne is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Retailers and can provide information on the availability of Rolex watches.

How to set your Rolex Yacht-Master

Synonymous with excellence and reliability, Rolex watches are designed for everyday wear, and depending on the model, perfectly suited for a wide range of sports and other activities. Built to last, these timepieces are characterized by their distinctive and timeless aesthetics. The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is a unique regatta chronograph. Learn more about its features and how to set the time and, for the perfect race start, how to use the exclusive countdown function by watching the video.

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.

Rolex Yacht-Master

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

Title Mr Ms Mrs

I can confirm I have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy . I accept receiving marketing information about Rolex from ‭Lucerne.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cosmograph Daytona

Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and yellow gold

Yacht-Master II

Oyster, 44 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

Explorer 36

Oyster, 36 mm, Oystersteel and yellow gold

Datejust 41

Oyster, 41 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

GMT-Master II

Yacht-Master 37

Oyster, 37 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

Choose your dates

Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

See photo of the meeting point