Rolex is a brand that’s known for its direct link to exploration and adventure. Some of its most notable watches and timepieces are intrinsically linked with specific activities and sports, from the Submariner that was built for divers, to the Daytona that tracks the average speed for a race car driver.
However, one thing that Rolex does not do lightly is release entirely new models. Prior to the rollout of the Yacht Master in 1992, the last brand new watch that Rolex had manufactured and released was the Daytona in 1964. So, while innovation is very much at the heart of Rolex’s collection and the design of each and every timepiece, the brand does not take new models on without extensive consideration.
But we have to be honest… the Yacht Master watch was worth the wait.
Despite being the second Rolex watch to have a somewhat nautical theme, following the Submariner, which arrived on the market decades before, the Yacht Master boasts a selection of features that define it as a more modern, more versatile accessory for watch lovers and sailors alike.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Rolex Yacht Master came to be and how the design has evolved.
The Inspiration Behind the Rolex Yacht Master
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Rolex Yacht Master, certainly with regard to its history and the inspiration behind its design, is that Rolex didn’t necessarily set out to create a new watch.
What’s more, the idea for the Yacht Master dates back as far as 1967, with the original Yacht Master Chronograph never released to market, despite being designed and produced by Rolex.
The modern Yacht Master, as released in 1992, brought the trademark name and vision back to life – though the new version could just as easily be defined as an extension of the Submariner. The story goes that Rolex designers wanted to modernise the Submariner, but were then too scared to change the much-loved and highly sought-after Submariner design too radically.
By releasing the new design as a brand-new model, resurrecting their original vision for a Yacht Master timepiece, Rolex could continue to bridge its respect for the past with innovation and a look to the future. It became known across the luxury timepiece market that the new Yacht Master model was a luxury Submariner-style piece, for the Yacht-owning millionaire. It has all the functional attributes but with a cleaner, more controlled aesthetic, as favoured by style-conscious buyers.
As time went on, the Yacht Master grew in popularity, with a wider selection of sizes and different finishes available. A women’s version was released, with Rolex continuing to explore matching, complementing, and juxtaposing materials and colour schemes across the collection.
Evolution of the Yacht Master II
The original Yacht Master was followed in 2007 by the release of a second Yacht Master – termed the Yacht Master II.
This watch took on a very different core function in that, rather than serving the millionaire yacht owner, this piece was for the individual sailing the yacht. Tapping into the professional Rolex market, the Yacht Master II was a regatta piece that had a programmable countdown function, enabling a countdown of anywhere from one to ten minutes – according to the needs of the user. This additional mechanical function opened up the Yacht Master to a whole new market of wearers – with the standard size being a 44mm case, an oyster bracelet, and a screw-down, Triplock crown, with a sapphire crystal case designed to be scratch-resistant.
Standout Features of the Rolex Yacht Master
So, now that we know about the design and release of the Yacht Master and its subsequent regatta model, what features elevate the Rolex Yacht Master to its status as one of the most popular Rolex collections from the past couple of decades?
The main feature is the watch face, which combines classic hour markers with a date dial in the 3 o’clock position underneath a Cyclops lens, which facilitates quick and easy reading.
Around the outside of the watch face, the dial is made up of 10-minute markers with an arrow at the top to indicate the top of the watch and highlight the 12 o’clock position. The hands of the watch are reflective for easy reading in the dark, with the ‘Yacht Master’ watch name positioned just above the 6 o’clock marker.
In comparison to the classic Yacht Master, the Yacht Master II boasts an added countdown timer with mechanical function and the numbers 0 to 10 around the outside of the dial. ‘Yacht Master II’ appears on the dial rather than the watch face, with the colour tones of the Yacht Master II often bolder. The aim of this release and the creation of this model was to give racing sailors a tool that could be used during racing – mimicking the start claxon with the countdown on their watch.
Is the Rolex Yacht Master a Good Investment?
If nothing else, this blog should clearly have communicated the role that the Rolex Yacht Master plays in the brand’s history and rollout of new models.
Despite Rolex very rarely releasing new pieces, the Yacht Master collection is compiled of two different models – and a history that dates back over two decades, before the release of the first official Yacht Master watch.
As such, this is an iconic watch that investment buyers and watch enthusiasts alike value and covet. When a Yacht Master becomes available on the market, the demand is high – offset by the limited supply of each individual model, which pushes the value of each and every Rolex sky high.
If buying a Rolex is something that you’re keen to explore, finding a reputable reseller will give you access to market insight and to an ever-changing rotation of stock – based on what they buy and sell themselves at any given time.
