Rolex’s Yacht-Master II Celebrates 30 Years of Seafaring Mastery

When you’re the captain of your ship, only one watch will do: the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Ever since 1926, when it invented the world’s first waterproof wristwatch case – called Oyster, just as its descendants are known almost 100 years later – the name of the Swiss watchmaking brand Rolex has been inextricably linked with the ocean. When, for example, the young Mercedes Gleitze became the first Englishwoman to swim across the Channel separating Britain and France, she had a Rolex Oyster strapped to her wrist, while some 28 years later the company unveiled a timepiece that was not only the first on the planet to be waterproof to 100 metres, but is now regarded as among its most emblematic: the Oyster Perpetual Submariner diving watch.

The Submariner, in its countless variations and iterations, remains a coveted talisman, but there’s another Rolex – one that’s perhaps less well-known – with equally strong connections to all things nautical. It is, of course, the Yacht-Master II, known by Rolex as “the watch of the open seas” and the latest in a line that first saw the light of day in 1992 – and which, in its latest version, is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Specifically designed for professional sailors to withstand the rigours of the ocean and equipped with functions applicable specially to yacht racing, the Yacht-Master II is the tool-watch par excellence – and yet, as two of the current three models come in precious metals, it’s also the ultimate expression of belonging in one of the world’s most exclusive sports.

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Among the watch’s unique attributes is a mechanical countdown, programmable from one to 10 minutes and featuring both a memory on on-the-fly synchronisation, that enables the yacht skipper to time precisely the starting procedure of a race and decide upon an appropriate strategy. This specially developed chronograph mechanism is also connected to the watch’s bidirectional 90-degree Ring Command bezel, which enables setting and re-setting with remarkable ease.

In keeping with its maritime character, the Yacht-Master II’s Cerachrom bezel insert is in a deep oceanic blue, while the watch’s presence is underlined by its 44mm diameter and a choice of materials – yellow gold, Everose Rolesor (in other words, pink gold and Oystersteel) or steel – and all come with a matching three-link Oyster bracelet. Beating within that statement case is Rolex’s self-winding calibre 4161, which is fitted with a Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, offers regatta chronograph and stop-setting functions, provides a reserve of around 72 hours and is Superlative Chronometer certified. It’s also waterproof to 10 bar/100 metres.

As a timepiece for the dedicated yachtie, the Rolex Yacht-Master II is unsurpassed. But as a statement for any captain – whether navigating the waves of a high sea or the choppy waters of a corporate boardroom – it’s an incomparable expression of command.