The Rolex Yacht-Master was released in 1992 as a reworked version of the Submariner, combining everything that Rolex and its core customers loved about the Submariner and inputting it into a new and even more luxurious design.
This has long been the story that surrounds the Yacht-Master, an innovative professional model that is made to deliver waterproofing excellence and offer its wearer both the time of day and the date at a single glance. Yacht-Master timepieces are not only precise and reliable, but they are made to the highest standards, crafted from the best materials, and built to withstand the test of both wear and tear and changing trends.
Perhaps most importantly, though, the Rolex Yacht-Master is yet another example of Rolex’s incredible position at the forefront of the luxury market. When it was first released, and ever since, the Yacht-Master has remained one of the brand’s most stylish models – perfectly bridging its function with timeless design and class.
Which is why this timepiece is so popular with both fashion lovers and investment buyers alike.
Key Features of the Rolex Yacht-Master
The Yacht-Master was released as a second nautically themed Rolex, following the Submariner. When you place the two next to each other, they are incredibly similar – owing largely to the fact that both watches are designed to be used and worn at sea, and so combine bold hour and minute markers with a crystal-clear case and waterproof detailing.
The subtle differences in shape and structure give the Yacht-Master a slightly more refined look, which is why it ultimately became the more luxurious younger brother of the Submariner. With both commanding high demand and tapping into the nautical market, the Submariner ended up being considered the working captain’s watch, while the owner of the Yacht-Master was in charge of the entire ship.
Some of the key features from a design perspective include the versatile coloured and textured watch faces that differ by model and collection, the link bracelet, and the date window with cyclops lens to zoom in on the date. For example, Oystersteel and platinum are used in union in the Yacht-Master, combining the brand’s own unique steel material with high-grade platinum for resilient style. What’s more, luminescent material is used to ensure that the hands and markers on the watch face are visible in all conditions, while the Superlative Chronometer invention in 2015 means that every new edition and subsequent model boasts the assurance of comprehensive inhouse testing.
All of this proves a dedication to the outer design and intrinsic working detail of the watch. But what makes this particular model different from other luxurious watches in terms of an investment?
What Makes the Yacht-Master a Good Investment?
When it comes to buying a luxury watch as a tangible investment, there are a number of brands and collections for buyers to choose from. So, why Rolex and why the Yacht-Master?
For one thing, whenever you think about a luxury brand that’s built on a foundation of exclusivity and prestige, Rolex is the name that the highest percentage of people will quote. It’s world famous, owing to both its quality and to the considerable marketing campaigns that keep the brand at the forefront of its industry. Celebrity ambassadors, big-screen outings, and limited-edition collections all keep the spotlight on Rolex and ensure its popularity doesn’t wane.
The Yacht-Master is a particularly good investment piece because of its story, its use of quality materials that hold their value, and its flexible design, which makes it well suited to practical use and effortless style. When a watch can compliment so many wearers and suit so many different occasions, its audience of potential buyers and owners increases.
Is the Yacht-Master the Best Rolex for Me?
Suffice to say, buying any Rolex watch is an experience that’s reserved for those with connections and with wealth to spare. The limited supply of any Rolex model or collection, paired with the ever-growing demand for tangible investment goods and luxury accessories, means that, once an authentic watch has left the store from which it was purchased, its value elevates.
This of course depends on that watch being upheld to the highest quality, with original packaging and proof of purchase all kept intact. In fact, for many investment buyers, their watch never sees the light of day – with some buyers preferring to keep the lid on their watch until such a time as they come to sell.
However, the underlying style of the Yacht-Master and its everyday functions and features mean that this watch was made to be worn and enjoyed. Countless celebrity owners are classed among some of the biggest fans of the Yacht-Master, with other buyers accessing Rolex and other high-value watches through auctions and reputable resellers.
To put it simply, the Yacht-Master is a good investment for someone who wants to funnel their wealth into a luxury good that has enjoyed immense popularity and desire since its first release. The benefit that the Yacht-Master had over its predecessor, the Submariner, is that, from day one, the Yacht-Master was met with incredible demand. While the Submariner had to earn its place on the luxury must-have market, the Yacht-Master stepped onto the market with a waitlist in place.
So, if you can buy an authentic Rolex Yacht-Master, the chances are that your investment will pay off.
Buying an Authentic Rolex
Buying an authentic Rolex means first identifying your budget and the collections and models that you like, and then visiting a reputable reseller. Our advice is to always seek out a reseller who specialises in valuations and authentication checks as well as buying and selling stock, to ensure that your investment is protected.
