how to operate yacht master 2

Rolex Yacht-Master II manual

Rolex Yacht-Master II

View the manual for the Rolex Yacht-Master II here, for free. This manual comes under the category watches and has been rated by 7 people with an average of a 8.5. This manual is available in the following languages: English. Do you have a question about the Rolex Yacht-Master II or do you need help?  Ask your question here

• Cover_Yacht-Master-II
• rolex_yacht-master-ii_en

Do you have a question about the Rolex and is the answer not in the manual?

• Receive updates on solutions
• Get answers to your question

Question and answer

How do I get the small second hand to turn? Is there a way to turn chromo glow in and off? Yacht master 2

Does the yacht master 2 have a calendar date & what is the perpetual function?

Rolex Yacht-Master II specifications

Below you will find the product specifications and the manual specifications of the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a wristwatch designed for water enthusiasts with its exceptional waterproof capabilities. This mechanical timepiece has been meticulously crafted with an automatic winding mechanism, ensuring accurate timekeeping and eliminating the need for manual winding. It has a band material made of gold, exuding a luxurious and elegant aesthetic. Featuring an analog dial, the Yacht-Master II showcases a sophisticated and classic design. With a case diameter of 44 millimeters, this watch is bold and commanding on the wrist, making it a statement piece for any occasion. The watch case itself is crafted from a combination of gold and platinum, further accentuating its opulence. Certified by COSC, this timepiece guarantees precision and reliability in its performance. It is equipped with a chronograph function, allowing users to measure and record elapsed time accurately. Additionally, its water-resistant depth of 100 meters ensures that it can withstand substantial water pressure, making it suitable for swimming and other water-related activities. With three watch hands, including an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, the Yacht-Master II provides clear and precise time indication. Whether you are sailing, navigating the waters, or simply making a stylish statement, this Rolex watch combines functionality with luxury, making it a sought-after accessory for watch enthusiasts worldwide.

Certificates

Technical details

Weight & dimensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find the answer to your question in the manual? You may find the answer to your question in the FAQs about the Rolex Yacht-Master II below.

What certifications does the Rolex Yacht-Master II have?

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has the following certifications: COSC.

A battery in my watch has started to corrode. Is the device still safe to use?

The product can still be used safely after proper cleaning. Remove the battery with gloves and clean the battery compartment with a toothbrush and vinegar. After drying, new batteries can be inserted into the device.

How do I set the time on my Rolex Yacht-Master II?

The time on your Rolex Yacht-Master II can be set by unscrewing the crown, and then turning it clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the hour and minute hands to the desired time. Remember to screw the crown back in tightly afterward to ensure water resistance.

What's the proper way to operate the regatta chronograph function?

To use the regatta chronograph function on your Rolex Yacht-Master II, first ensure the crown is in its normal position. Press the top pusher to start the countdown. Once the countdown reaches zero, the chronograph will automatically start timing your race duration. Pressing the bottom pusher will reset the chronograph back to zero.

How can I adjust the countdown timer on my Yacht-Master II?

Adjusting the countdown timer on your Rolex Yacht-Master II is straightforward. First, unscrew the crown and pull it out to the second position. Turn the crown clockwise to increase the countdown time or counterclockwise to decrease it. Push the crown back in and screw it tightly after setting the desired countdown duration.

What should I do if the hands of my watch are not synchronized?

If the hands of your Rolex Yacht-Master II are not synchronized, it is essential to ensure the watch is functioning correctly. To realign the hands, unscrew the crown and pull it out to the last position. Turn the crown slowly in either direction until the hands are accurately aligned with the time. Push the crown back in and screw it tightly to secure the adjustment.

How do I activate and deactivate the mechanical memory function on my Yacht-Master II?

Activating and deactivating the mechanical memory function on your Rolex Yacht-Master II is done through the use of the bezel. To activate the memory, rotate the bezel counterclockwise until the triangle on the bezel aligns with the desired reference point. Conversely, turning the bezel clockwise will deactivate the mechanical memory. Ensure the bezel is securely positioned after setting the desired function.

Is the band material of the Rolex Yacht-Master II made of gold?

Yes, the band material of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is made of gold. This adds a luxurious touch to the watch and gives it a high-end aesthetic appeal.

Does the Rolex Yacht-Master II have a chronograph?

Yes, the Rolex Yacht-Master II has a chronograph feature. This allows the user to accurately measure and record elapsed time, making it a practical tool for precision timing.

What type of mechanism does the Rolex Yacht-Master II have?

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a mechanical mechanism with automatic winding. This means that the watch is powered by the movement of the user's wrist, eliminating the need for manual winding.

Is the dial of the Rolex Yacht-Master II analog?

Yes, the dial of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is analog. This classic dial style is easy to read and appeals to those who prefer a traditional watch design.

Is the Rolex Yacht-Master II waterproof?

Yes, the Rolex Yacht-Master II is waterproof. This makes it suitable for water activities such as yachting or swimming, providing peace of mind to the user in wet conditions. Additionally, its water resistance sets it apart from comparable watches that may not offer the same level of protection.

Is the manual of the Rolex Yacht-Master II available in English?

Yes, the manual of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is available in English .

Is your question not listed? Ask your question here

Related product manuals

How to Set and Use the Rolex Yacht-Master II

Regatta races are an exciting way to test your sailing ability. The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a countdown timer so you can time your regatta race.

Not only does it look fantastic, but its highly specialized functions are powered by one of the most impressive movements Rolex has released to date. Using these functions though can be a frustrating and complicated path.

While there are number of steps to the process, Rolex designed it to be quick and simple once you get to know it.

With this guide, you’ll learn how to set the Rolex Yacht-Master II for a regatta, as well as how to use it during the race.

What is a regatta watch?

First of all, what is a regatta watch? The Rolex Yacht-Master II’s countdown timer is used to time events that involve boats or other competitive pursuits, such as sailing races, chariot races, and even football matches.

The goal of these events is to get from point A to point B in the fastest amount of time possible. To do this, teams will use the count-down timer on their watches to measure their progress and determine whether they should increase their speed or slow down if they are falling behind.

You’re probably wondering why you would need a watch with such an advanced feature if you aren’t partaking in regatta activities yourself. Well, there are plenty of instances where having the ability to time something accurately can be useful. Even everyday tasks like boiling your eggs perfectly or recording the length of timeouts count! The possibilities are endless.

How to Set your Countdown Timer on a Rolex Yacht-Master II

The countdown timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II is an elegant and useful feature. You’ll need to set it up though before the beginning of the regatta to start the countdown at the appropriate time.

To set the countdown timer:

1. The timer needs to have stopped. If it is still going, push the upper pusher on the right hand side of the dial/case to stop the timer.

2. Once the timer is stopped, you need to turn the bezel to the left, or counterclockwise, a quarter turn. It will stop at a quarter as that’s as far as it can go, and it will click into place for you.

3. Push the bottom pusher on the right hand side of your case. When you push this button, it will stay pushed down. This bounces the second hand to zero or the 12 o’clock mark. The minute hand will also return itself back to wherever you previously had it set. Having the lower pusher depressed blocks you from pressing the upper pusher.

4. Unlock the crown by turning it counterclockwise. The crown is the center knob at the 3 o’clock position on the right hand side of your case. Turn the crown clockwise setting it to the minute that you need.

5. Once you’ve set the duration of your preferred countdown, you’re going to return to the bezel. Turn the bezel this time in a clockwise direction until the click, or a quarter turn. This action unlocks the upper pusher and lets go of the lower one.

6. Push your crown back in and rotate it clockwise until it locks. This ensures that your watch keeps its water resistance.

How to Use the Countdown Timer on your Rolex Yacht-Master II

The countdown timer on the Yacht-Master II is used to display how much time has passed in a race (or other endeavors). Many people use this feature when they’re tracking their own races, but it’s also useful for non-sporting activities.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Your top or upper pusher starts and stops your countdown. This is similar to other traditional Rolex complications like what you’d find on the Daytona . The lower pusher resets the timer.

2. The difference with the Yacht-Master from other chronograph watches is that you can jump forward or backward to the closest minute with a one touch to the lower button. There’s no need to reset the counter, wasting valuable time in a race.

3. To use the fly-back or fly-forward functions mentioned above, while the timer is running, give one quick press to the lower pusher. The timer resets itself to the closest minute while still running. This allows you to instantly start measuring the next duration, with no time lost.

Timing a Regatta Race using the Rolex Yacht-Master II

Ok, so your timer is set, and you know how to run it, but what are you supposed to do with it during a regatta race?

Regatta Racing (photo: Rolex)

1. If you’re unfamiliar with why you need a timer in a regatta, this isn’t unusual. A gun and a wave of a flag signal the countdown to the start of the race. When you see or hear this, then press the top pusher that starts the timer. If you did your job, your timer was set at the needed number of minutes ahead of time. At this point, the second hand is tracking the elapsed time since you started. The minutes hand will move every 60 seconds tracking the time until it hits the finish or zero. End of a countdown.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II in Steel and Everose Gold (photo: Rolex)

2. There may be a point where you’ll have to pause and resync your timer. You’ll want it to maintain sync with the official clock. Being on-time is important in a regatta. This is easy to accomplish. When you hear the second or third prep signals, the official ones, press the lower pusher. This resets the second hand back to the beginning, or zero, synchronizing the minute hand back to the closest minute, thus syncing with the official clock.

3. At this point, the race has begun. Your personal countdown has finished and you’re off. Now you can restart your timer by pressing the top pusher to stop it and then the bottom pusher to reset it to the last programmed setting.

How to Use Your Rolex Yacht-Master II: Final Thoughts

Now you know how to use your Rolex Yacht-Master II in a regatta race. It’s a great watch that will make timing your races much easier and more accurate. Better yet, use your timer for anything you need a countdown for.

On the market for a Rolex Yacht-Master? Check out our wide selection of Rolex Yacht-Master watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.

A guide to the Rolex Yacht-Master

Over the years, the Rolex Yacht-Master watch has grown significantly, becoming one of the most diverse ranges of Rolex watch available.

The evolution of the luxury brand’s classic sports watch has extended beyond imaginable parallels, offering the avid collector various choices in bracelet style, bezel material and case size over three entire decades. As such, the Yacht-Master continues to prove itself a valuable and dependable mainstay within the manufacturer’s current catalogue, despite many models having become discontinued over the years. To define the Yacht-Master by Rolex, one would categorize it as a luxury sports watch, yet the collection can be broken down into two watches that remain incredibly similar to one another, despite a slightly different name.

. One is the Yacht-Master - a watch that can be considered the original sports model designed by Rolex, intended for setting sail with and enjoying whilst sailing aboard a luxury yacht. The Yacht-Master II, however, is designed for more precise functionality. Equipped with all the technology to enable an individual to record regatta timings, this younger distinction of the model is classified as a watch for racing a yacht as opposed to enjoying alongside a ride on one.

Whether wearing a Rolex Yacht-Master for aesthetical or practical reasons, however, its sleek looks and refined qualities are characteristics that are sought after far and wide amongst Rolex fans. Like with every Rolex, however, there are some factors to research and consider before investing in your very first Yacht-Master and these include pricing, history and features amongst many others.

What are the differences between the Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II?

To break down the key differences between the Rolex Yacht-Master and the Rolex Yacht-Master II, here are a few quick facts. The Yacht-Master is available in sizes of 29mm, 35mm, 37mm, 40mm and 42mm and is manufactured in Rolesium, Everose Rolesor, yellow gold Rolesor, solid 18ct yellow gold, solid 18ct white gold and 18ct Everose gold. The watch offers running hours, minutes and seconds and features a date function at 3 o’clock. A bidirectional rotating bezel has a 60-minute scale upon its surface and each model promises a water resistance of 100 meters. The models are offered on an Oyster bracelet or Oysterflex bracelet. The Rolex Yacht-Master II, however, is available in a 44mm size and is offered in a solid stainless steel version, as well as Everose Rolesor, 18ct yellow gold and 18ct white gold. Function-wise, the models offer running seconds with an adjustable countdown timer with a mechanical memory. The watch also features a ring command bezel, along with 100-meter water resistance and is fitted on an Oyster bracelet.

A brief history of the Rolex Yacht-Master watch collection

A brief history of both the Rolex Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II watches is beneficial before investing in a model from this range. Though not introduced until 1992, the Rolex Yacht-Master watch had foundations secured for its release much earlier than that. The brand had partnered with the New York Yacht Club back in 1958, laying down the roots to its heritage in sailing long before the iconic sports watch was conceptualized. By this point, Rolex had ready developed its first waterproof watch thanks to the 1926 Oyster case.

In 1966, the Gipsy Moth IV yacht was sailed 29,600 miles around the world by Francis Chichester, who wore a Rolex on his wrist amongst very few other measuring tools including a sextant and nautical chart. Thanks to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch he wore during his journey, time could be tracked amongst rough conditions for an entire 226 days whilst at sea. It put Rolex officially on the radar of seafarers as a manufacturer capable of producing robust and reliable tools for facing the challenging conditions experienced at sea.

In 1992 the world’s first official Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master was released and was crafted entirely from 18ct yellow gold, cementing its status as a luxury tool watch. Over the next 15 years, Rolex would experiment with various case materials until in 2007, the first Yacht-Master II was born. Sportsmen could utilize this tool watch whilst regatta racing – its chronograph features stood out clearly and legibly across the surface of the dial. A programmable countdown timer enabled the individual to measure the countdown time before a race commences for improved precision and a better start to the competition. With flyback and fly-forward functionality, synchronization with the Race Committee was a breeze.

Current Popular Rolex Yacht-Master models

As mentioned, it is the Yacht-Master’s affinity with the sea and its diverse range of styles and case materials that make this collection so widely sought-after within the Rolex watch stratosphere. Paired with cutting-edge technology and primed for yacht race competing, the series has much to offer any luxury sports watch fan. Here are just a few Rolex Yacht-Master watches that have proven their popularity as both a tool and an investment since their release.

Rolex Yacht-Master ref 126622

Rolex Yacht-Master watches made from Rolesium make for an interesting talking point to wear with elegant attire and often make for sophisticated gifts to mark an anniversary or wedding day, especially for those who prefer their wristwatches to exude a very classic look. That said, Rolex packs a lot of modern technology into the design of a Yacht-Master watch such as the model 1266, which not only offers a very compact and manageable case size for those with a slender wrist but has also been forged from a material that is exclusive to the Yacht-Master watch range itself. Stainless Steel and platinum are materials chosen for their robust, corrosion-resistant and luxurious properties, whilst the three-link design of the oyster bracelet creates a timeless look whether paired with elegant or casual attire. Polished middle links and brushed outer links create a unique look against the wrist, especially when you consider that these finishes differ from those seen in the Rolex Submariner and Sea-Dweller models, which instead offer a fully brushed bracelet finish.

Rolex Yacht-Master ref 116680

One of the most popular Rolex Yacht-Master watches has to be the ref 116680 with a blue ceramic bezel. Rolex had begun equipping its watches with Cerachrom bezels back in the year 2005. This model was made available in stainless steel, two-tone Everose, or yellow gold, and since it belongs to the Yacht-Master II collection, measures a broad 44mm diameter. As of 2019, Rolex Yacht-Master II watches were equipped with the Calibre 3235 – a trusted workhorse for many of Rolex’s models. Framed inside this striking blue bezel is a white dial adorned with a small second sub-counter in blue at 6 o’clock, along with a countdown that 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 and once launched, can be synchronized on the fly to match the official race countdown.

Rolex Yacht-Master ref 116655

The Rolex Yacht-Master ref 116656 is, without a doubt, one of the most coveted and popular models from this series of luxury sports watches. The model not only features a matte black ceramic bezel but features a set of two-textured, highly polished and raised numerals upon its sandblasted surface. The watch is fitted to an Oysterflex bracelet, promising all-round comfort and thanks to its unusual choice of contrasting rich black and luxurious pink gold colours, can be enjoyed by both male and female Rolex fans alike. An Everose case and gold serrated ring complete its look, combining nicely with the elegant black bezel, whilst on the display itself, cathedral-type hands and a cyclops date window reside.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref 226659

Slightly larger in size is the 42mm Rolex Yacht-Master II watch with the reference 226659, which features a stunning 18ct white gold case and bezel with a striking black Cerachrom bezel inlay for precise tracking of elapsed time. The Oysterflex bracelet is just one of the many appealing features of the Rolex Yacht-Master series. Although creating the aesthetic and sporty look of a rubber strap with its outer elastomer rubber shell in black - inside the structure of the bracelet is a series of flexible metal inserts. The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref 226659 debuted in 2019 with the desirable Calibre 3235 secured to the heart of its case, creating plenty of power reserve for those occasions when taken off the wrist, promising superior reliability and accuracy. Its classic black and white gold colourway make it easy to pair wot formal, casual or elegant attire.

There will always be plenty of reasons to invest in a Rolex Yacht-Master watch. Having been equipped with a reliable movement and a set of unique features that enable superior regatta timings out on the water, there is little else on the market that matches the supreme craftsmanship and instantly recognizable aesthetics of the iconic Rolex Yacht-Master watch. Whether you have any use for the polarizing watch’s regatta timer feature or not, it is one of the most niche complications watches imaginable. The Yacht-Master will always be a timepiece that holds its value, symbolizing a brand of significant provenance and value.

More Rolex guides

To find out more about which Rolex hold their value you can read more of our guides where we cover all Rolex Nicknames or our classic guide to the Day Date models and our comparision with their sister brand: Rolex vs Tudor .

Subscribe our newsletter for more news related content and find our quick comparitive guides to help you d ecide which watch you should buy next:

Breitling vs Rolex

Cartier vs Rolex

Audemars Piguet vs Rolex

Tag Hurer vs Rolex

• Latest Releases

• Best Sellers
• Shop By Color
• New Arrivals
• Black Rubber Straps
• Blue Rubber Straps
• Orange Rubber Straps
• Shop by Material
• Shop by Rolex Model >
• Rolex | Rubber Straps
• Rolex | Leather Straps
• Sea-Dweller
• Explorer II
• Yacht-Master
• Oyster Perpetual
• CUSTOM TUDOR WATCH STRAPS
• CUSTOM PANERAI WATCH STRAPS
• Shop by Lug Size
• 20MM Straps
• Leather Watch Straps
• 21MM Straps
• Rubber Watch Straps
• 22MM Straps
• Nylon Watch Straps

• WATCH ROLLS
• WATCH BOXES
• SPRING BARS

UNLOCK EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

Join our community for exclusive product drops, valuable watch news, and reviews only for subscribers.

How to Use a Yacht-Master II

One of the more intricate Rolex models is the Yacht-Master II. We’ve been taking a closer look at how to set your Rolex as well as read the details on your dials to better understand your Rolex watch. Whether you want to understand the material it is made of or the story it has to tell, check out our more recent blog article releases here . But anyways, back to the Yacht-Master II. Let’s take a look. 

The first thing to know is that you still set the time using the second position as we discuss here . The seconds hand is the small dial right above the 6 o'clock marker (with the 20, 30, 40 etc). In the below image, it's blue. But, that can change dependent on the material you choose for your Yacht-Master II.  But, we're going to take a closer look at the intricate dial of the Yacht-Master II and its uses. 

If this is the first time you have taken a closer look at the Yacht-Master II, you may be a bit overwhelmed. The Yacht-Master II is the first model to offer a Regatta Chronograph, which is a timing feature for Regatta timing or a Regatta sailing event which includes a 10-minute countdown. The Yacht-Master II allows different countdown timers for 0 - 10 minutes, which can be used anytime in normal life if you need to time something for 10 minutes. 

 To use the programmable Regatta countdown, rotate the bezel to position two until it clicks at about 1 o’clock. After, push down the bottom pusher to set the bezel. At this point, you will unscrew the water-tight crown and start rotating it clockwise. It will jump to every minute. Let’s say we are going to set it at 8 minutes. Screw down the water-tight crown, and then, rotate the bezel back to its original position, which will cause the bottom pusher to pop back up into place. 

Press the top pusher to begin the timer. As the seconds hand moves clockwise, you will see the red arrow move to the next number (7 minutes in our example). To stop the timer, simply press the top pusher again. If you want to reset your timer to what you previously set it at (8 minutes), simply press the bottom pusher. Because the Regatta chronograph has a mechanical memory, by resetting the time with the bottom pusher, the triangle hand will return to the last minute it was initially set at before the countdown begins. This Rolex watch is the first watch to offer a bezel that is directly built into the movement - an innovation in Rolex design. 

So, that’s a quick guide through a Yacht-Master II dial reading and use of the Regatta Chronograph. The Yacht-Master II bezel can have endless applications in everyday life as well - you don’t have to just be a sailor. Intricate in design but simple to use, is just what makes this such a work of art and perfection.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

You may also like View all

Everest Bands

Oyster Perpetual

Yacht-Master

Staying on course, mapping invisible routes.

For those at sea, staying on course is a constant challenge. When dealing with the elements, nothing is certain and constant reaction is required to stay in the right direction. Since its launch in 1992, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master has been equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel that facilitates the calculation and reading of navigational time. Elegantly combining functionality and nautical style, this watch has made its mark well beyond its professional realm.

A shared quest for precision

Knowing where you are in space and time, setting a course and sticking to it are vital in navigation. Given its function, the watch is an essential tool for sailors to assess their position. Regarded as the most precise horological instruments in the world, marine chronometers have been certified by astronomical observatories since the 18th century. At the time, the ultimate authority for measuring chronometric precision was the Kew Observatory in Great Britain.

In 1914, the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, had one of the brand’s watches tested by this very observatory, which certified it as a chronometer: a first in the watchmaking world for a wristwatch. Since then, renowned sailors, such as Sir Francis Chichester and Bernard Moitessier, have navigated the seas with Rolex wristwatches serving as onboard chronometers.

Matching the precision of marine chronometers was fundamental to Rolex’s watchmaking.

Designed for navigators

Sailing occupies a special place in the world of Rolex. In 1958, the brand partnered the New York Yacht Club, creator of the legendary America’s Cup. Rolex then formed partnerships with several prestigious yacht clubs around the world and became associated with major nautical events – offshore races and coastal regattas.

These strong ties culminated in 1992 with the launch of the Yacht-Master. Boasting the robustness and waterproofness of our Oyster case, this chronometer is fitted with a bidirectional bezel with raised 60-minute graduations to enable navigational time to be calculated and read.

.css-1afbye{font-family:var(--quote-font-family);font-style:var(--quote-font-style);font-weight:var(--quote-font-weight);font-size:clamp(1.5rem, 0.6875rem + 2.0313vw, 3.125rem);line-height:1.3;}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .css-1afbye::before,figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .css-1afbye::after{display:inline;}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .css-1afbye::before{content:var(--quote-opening);}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .css-1afbye::after{content:var(--quote-closing);}@media (max-width: 30rem){.css-1afbye{line-height:1.4;}}.short-quote .css-1afbye{font-family:var(--quote-font-family);font-style:var(--quote-font-style);font-weight:var(--quote-font-weight);font-size:clamp(1.875rem, 0.6250rem + 3.1250vw, 4.375rem);line-height:1.3;}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .short-quote .css-1afbye::before,figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .short-quote .css-1afbye::after{display:inline;}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .short-quote .css-1afbye::before{content:var(--quote-opening);}figure:not(.removem1epbs8d) .short-quote .css-1afbye::after{content:var(--quote-closing);}@media (max-width: 30rem){.short-quote .css-1afbye{line-height:1.4;}} This Yacht-Master 42, which is an outstanding nautical watch, is also proof of Rolex’s firm commitment to yachting.

Precious on land and at sea

Available in three diameters – 37, 40 and 42 mm – and in various precious versions – 18 ct yellow, white and Everose gold – as well as in Everose Rolesor and Rolesium versions, the Yacht-Master is unique in the world of Rolex professional watches. An elegant watch with a sporty character, it was the first to be paired with an Oysterflex bracelet in 2015.

In 2023, after testing under real-life conditions by acclaimed helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie, Rolex launched a new version of the Yacht-Master 42. It is made of RLX titanium, a high-performance material, at once light, robust and corrosion resistant.

A veritable ally at sea, the Yacht-Master also elegantly adorns the wrists of navigators once back on solid ground. With many different versions, it is a model that transcends its seafaring origins. It has become a watch for those who know how to change course without losing sight of the horizon, moving freely.

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, yellow gold.

How did divers manage to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline? We went down to the spot to find out

German network ard chartered yacht and divers to see how sabotage occurred.

Social Sharing

It was an event that rocked Europe and shook world affairs. 

Early in the morning on Sept. 26, 2022, a series of powerful undersea explosions damaged pipelines under the Baltic Sea near Denmark that carried Russian natural gas to Germany. 

Fingers were immediately pointed at Ukraine, which had been at war with Russia since the latter invaded in February of that year. Ukraine denied involvement, and in the absence of reliable information, conspiracy theories proliferated about who attacked the Nord Stream pipeline.

Did a Russian submarine intentionally destroy it in order to cut off the gas supply to Germany, a country allied with Ukraine? Was it the CIA, as famed U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote? 

The German government has been tightlipped about the affair for two years, but this week, German media outlets ARD, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit jointly reported that federal prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant against a Ukrainian man. A Polish government spokesperson confirmed it.

The German reports identified the man as Volodymyr Z., a diving instructor who last resided in Poland. In a brief telephone conversation on Tuesday with reporters from ARD, Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit, Volodymyr Z. expressed surprise at the accusations and denied involvement.

A report this week by the Wall Street Journal also pointed to Ukraine, suggesting the operation was carried out by Ukrainian soldiers and civilians with diving expertise and under the direction of Ukraine's then-commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Journalists at ARD, Germany's public broadcaster, have been hot on the trail since the shocking explosions took place. I was one of the reporters who was part of the team that spent months piecing together what may have occurred. 

To understand what happened to the Nord Stream pipeline that day, ARD chartered the very yacht the perpetrators allegedly used and sent divers into the roiling waters of the Baltic Sea to see how the pipeline might have been attacked.

Group chartered sailing yacht

Several outlets have reported that in early September 2022, a sailing yacht called Andromeda set sail from the port of Hohe Düne in Rostock, Germany. According to the ARD investigation, the commando that was to destroy the pipelines was on board the Andromeda. The group is said to have consisted of six people — five men and one woman. Among them, it is suspected, was Volodymyr Z.

After stops in Rügen, Bornholm and Christiansø in Denmark, Sandhamn in Sweden and Kołobrzeg in Poland, the boat returned to Rostock. 

At some point during the trip, investigators believe the crew dove from the yacht down to the seabed and, in the darkness of the Baltic Sea, attached the explosive devices to the pipeline at a depth of around 80 metres. 

What happened later is well-known. At 2:03 a.m. local time on Sept. 26, 2022, the first explosion damaged Nord Stream 2. Approximately 16 hours later, three other explosions damaged Nord Stream 1. Investigators later found residue of the explosive HMX, also known as octogen, on board the Andromeda.

• Germany issued arrest warrant for Ukrainian diver in Nord Stream pipeline attack
• Denmark, like Sweden before them, ends probe into Nord Stream pipeline 'sabotage'

During our investigation, we wondered just how hard it would have been to carry out such a mission. 

The Andromeda is a charter yacht. Anyone can rent it — so we rented it, too, and took three divers with us.  

As with many charter yachts, the Andromeda was not in the best condition — our skipper called it "one of the worst boats I've ever sailed with." 

He said several electrical components were broken and that the yacht didn't move well in the waves. Then there was the swim platform, which the divers would need to get on and off the boat. If the swell is high, the platform moves up and down, punching into the sea. A diver trying to get back on the boat could be slammed on the head by the platform, causing serious injury. For us, this risk was too high. 

So we returned the Andromeda and chartered a professional diving vessel with a crew that usually recovers Second World War explosives from the bed of the Baltic Sea. 

We then drove to the exact spot where the first explosion happened — 120 kilometres off the German coast, with the Danish island Bornholm in sight.

Trained divers required

We arrived at 6 a.m. to witness a symbolic moment in the Baltic Sea. 

A Russian military ship appeared. Through our radio, we heard, "Russian warship delta echo, U.S. warship Yankee." The U.S. Navy was trying to make contact with the Russian Navy right before our eyes. How could a sabotage operation have gone on undetected in this environment?

The burst pipeline lay almost 80 metres beneath us, a depth not every diver could handle. 

You need to be trained as a tech diver. At that depth, you have to breathe a special mixture of oxygen, helium and nitrogen, and that means carrying about 220 pounds of equipment. 

It is also pitch black at the bottom of the sea. The multiple scuba tanks gave the divers about 40 minutes to find the pipeline, which means they needed to know precisely where to look. A sonar device was required to locate the pipeline beforehand. The Andromeda did not have this kind of device on board, but our new vessel did. 

Our tech divers found the burst pipeline on their second try and filmed it. 

The difficult part for the divers was returning to the surface. The pressure is so intense that if the ascent is not done correctly, divers could experience serious symptoms like paralysis or damage to their lungs. Doing proper decompression from such a depth — which requires divers to switch to a different gas mix — takes about two hours. 

Conducting a complex mission like that from the Andromeda would have been difficult and dangerous. According to the German investigation, it's plausible Volodymyr Z. was trained for dives like that.

Everyone who has examined the Andromeda agrees it's not the vessel anyone would choose to secure a mission. 

As our tech diver Derk Remmers put it: "I would use the Andromeda for a vacation, but not a sabotage mission."

Yet this could be precisely why the saboteurs used it. To stay undetected and unaccountable — which they managed to do until the charges were made public this week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lea Struckmeier is an investigative journalist and presenter at ARD, Germany's public broadcaster. She is currently spending her Arthur F. Burns Fellowship with CBC.

Related Stories

• Live Reporting (active)

Watch & listen

The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered from the Bayesian yacht off the coast of Sicily , a source close to the family says

The search is continuing for one person who's still missing - it's believed it is Mike's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah

Five bodies have been brought ashore but they have not been formally identified

One body - that of Recaldo Thomas, the yacht's chef - was recovered from the sea on Monday

In total, 15 people survived, with six bodies recovered, and one person still missing

Live Reporting

Edited by Johanna Chisholm and Sophie Abdulla

Six key takeaways from day four of the search published at 20:20 British Summer Time 22 August 20:20 BST 22 August

The fourth day of search operations has come to a close in the coastal town of Porticello, and divers deployed to the scene have yet to recover the last missing person from a yacht that sank on Monday morning.

Here's a brief summary of what we learned throughout the day:

• The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered from the Bayesian yacht off the coast of Sicily, a source close to the family has told the BBC
• The person still missing is believed to be Mike’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, Reuters news agency reported
• No formal identification of the bodies has been announced by the Italian authorities
• An investigation is underway by Italian authorities, with captain James Cutfield reportedly being questioned by authorities yesterday for two hours, as they began speaking to all crew members
• The trip has been described as a "celebratory cruise" that came after Lynch was cleared of fraud charges in June. The BBC were told his "key team" were travelling on board

We're going to be pausing our coverage for the day, but you can read the latest here .

This page was written by Pia Harold, Cachella Smith, Matt Spivey, Rachel Flynn and James Harness and was edited by Marita Moloney, Nadia Ragozhina, Sophie Abdulla and Johanna Chisholm.

In pictures: A fourth day of search operations published at 19:41 British Summer Time 22 August 19:41 BST 22 August

As the sun rose over the harbour in Porticello and divers resumed their search operation, people gathered again by the shore

Earlier today, members of the fire brigade and coast guard recovered a fifth body, after four bodies were retrieved from the wreck on Wednesday and transported to nearby hospitals, in the city of Palermo

A source close to the family has told the BBC the body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered and they believe the person still missing is Mike’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. No formal identification of the bodies has been announced by the Italian authorities

A 'warm and wonderful smile' that will be 'impossible' to forget - Countess of Euston published at 19:03 British Summer Time 22 August 19:03 BST 22 August

Mike Lynch OBE was one of Suffolk's "most inspirational citizens", the Countess of Euston says in one of the latest tributes to the UK businessman.

Clare, Countess of Euston, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk says in a statement that Lynch "was quite simply a genius", adding that he was a "global leader in his field".

"A kind and compassionate man who was always ready to help, hugely generous, the best of friends, but it will be his warm and wonderful smile that will be impossible for me to forget," she continues.

"Mike was an exemplary Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk serving both our late Queen Elizabeth II and our present King Charles III."

She goes on to send her condolences to Lynch's wife and wider family.

From a celebratory excursion to a devastating tragedy published at 18:38 British Summer Time 22 August 18:38 BST 22 August

Mike Lynch was a star of the British tech sector who - as we've mentioned in previous posts - attracted comparisons to Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

But he also suffered a sudden and dramatic fall from grace.

In 1996, he established Autonomy, a company which built software to help businesses manage and sift through data. In 2011, it was bought by the US giant Hewlett-Packard in a deal that valued the business at $11bn (£8.6bn).

That made Lynch a very rich man.

But it rapidly turned sour. Little more than a year later, HP said it had found evidence of accounting "irregularities" at Autonomy that had been used to make it appear a much more attractive prospect financially.

This led to a decade of legal wrangling and last year, Lynch was extradited to the US to face criminal fraud charges. He was acquitted in June.

The excursion aboard the Bayesian was meant to be a celebration of that victory. It ended in tragedy.

Lynch 'a pioneer in artificial intelligence' published at 18:16 British Summer Time 22 August 18:16 BST 22 August

More tributes are continuing to be shared about British entrepreneur Mike Lynch.

The head of Luminance, a technology company where Lynch was a founding investor, says he was "one of the brightest minds the technology sector has ever seen" and a "pioneer in artificial intelligence".

Quote Message Above all, Mike was a kind man who had an impact on many and will be sorely missed. I feel honoured to have known him, worked with him and learnt from him over the years." Eleanor Lightbody, CEO of Luminance

Judy Bloomer: Teacher, wife and 'wonderful friend' published at 17:49 British Summer Time 22 August 17:49 BST 22 August

Some more details about Judy Bloomer, who - alongside her husband of five decades - went missing from Bayesian earlier this week.

Bloomer was educated at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, where she studied English language and literature. After that, she embarked on a career as a teacher.

She later worked as a psychotherapist for nearly 30 years, specialising in anxiety and stress.

She was also a former director of property developer Change Real Estate, a property firm in Bristol, which was founded by her husband, Jonathan Bloomer.

Sally Bailey, a former chairwoman of charity Pilot Light, wrote that Judy was a "wonderful friend" to the gynaecological cancer research charity the Eve Appeal. She was a "kind and caring person," she added.

In a statement from the Bloomer family, they described the couple as "incredible people and an inspiration to many".

"Our only comfort is that they are still together now."

Judy Bloomer was educated at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, before starting her career as a teacher

Bloomer 'a friend and mentor to many' published at 17:25 British Summer Time 22 August 17:25 BST 22 August

Tributes continue to be paid to Jonathan Bloomer. The chief executive of Morgan Stanley, where Bloomer was international chairman, says that "Jonathan's leadership and experience helped the firm manage a period of complex change for our international businesses".

Ted Pick describes him as a "friend and mentor to many", adding: "We will all greatly miss his wise counsel and spirit of kindness."

Meanwhile, Aki Hussain, chief executive of insurance group Hiscox, says Bloomer's advice and support were "immensely valuable".

"It was a privilege to have known Jonathan and to have benefited from his generosity and wisdom over the last year in his role as chair of Hiscox," Hussain adds.

"His deep experience across our industry and in the broader business arena, combined with his personal values, made him both an excellent chair and a person I was proud to know and work with."

Elsewhere Bloomer is described as a "giant in financial services" by investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown.

The group says: "We remember him fondly at Hargreaves Lansdown as someone who made a major impact on the business with his wealth of experience when he served on the board from 2006-2013 including as our senior independent director."

Mike Lynch 'was the Steve Jobs of Britain' published at 17:15 British Summer Time 22 August 17:15 BST 22 August

David Tabizel described his colleague and friend as the 'Steve Jobs of Britain'

Let's bring you a few more tributes to the victims of the Bayesian shipwreck.

First, David Tabizel has been speaking about Mike Lynch, who he says was "a human supercomputer" who "loved having his brain lit up".

Tabizel co-founded Autonomy with Lynch, and tells the BBC it's a tragedy Mike Lynch died "just when he was about to reclaim his status and his position in society", who had been subjected to "an unjust legal interruption".

"It feels a bit like the Post Office scandal... Just because a group of people are being accused doesn't mean they are guilty."

Tabizel praises Lynch's loyalty to his friends, describing the businessman as a great polymath with an inquisitive mind.

Mike Lynch had "an amazing gift to get to the nub of things, to get to the truth... he was a child. At the same time, he was a moral giant... he was certainly the brightest person I've ever met.

"To me he's the Steve Jobs of Britain. I miss him. I loved him."

Many factors could've played a role in yacht disaster published at 16:55 British Summer Time 22 August 16:55 BST 22 August

While we wait for the sixth missing person to be found, the investigation goes on.

The focus now is on whether human error was to blame. From the captain and the crew not taking measures onboard the yacht to mitigate the extreme weather and storm alert that had been issued before that terrible tragedy on Monday morning.

The wheels of justice move very slowly here in Italy. But there will be pressure on the investigators to wrap this up.

These are high profile victims - so there will be a lot of legal implications.

We know the investigators spoke to the captain, who survived, for two hours yesterday. He's 51 and from New Zealand.

Part of the focus is on whether there were storage compartments left open, allowing water to flood into the boat. And also on why there was no crew team on alert overnight when the storm happened, particularly given the fact there was a weather alert.

Another question: why was the yacht not harboured at port if the storm alert was out?

A ship surveyor told me yesterday there should have been a two-man watch team on board overnight.

The feeling is that there was a combination of factors that made the conditions ripe for this kind of disaster to happen.

No news conferences planned yet published at 16:39 British Summer Time 22 August 16:39 BST 22 August

Gillian Hazell Reporting from Porticello

Let's return briefly to the operation that's still running on the ground in Porticello.

Carlo Dall'Oppio, head of Italy's firefighters, has told the BBC there are no news conferences planned at present, and that the last body has not been found yet.

He said it was up to the coroner to announce the names of those who have died after identification.

As we've been reporting , according to Italian law, officials are not allowed to share the names of the deceased until formal identification has concluded.

Family of Jonathan and Judy Bloomer pay tribute published at 16:28 British Summer Time 22 August 16:28 BST 22 August

We're also been hearing from the family of Jonathan and Judy Bloomer - both of whom were confirmed as missing following the yacht sinking earlier this week.

Jonathan is the chairman of the Morgan Stanley International bank, he also gave evidence as a defence witness in Mike Lynch's US trial which saw him cleared of fraud charges in June.

The yacht trip has been described as a celebration following the trial's verdict.

In a statement, the couple's family express "sincere gratitude" to emergency services and all those who helped with the rescue operation.

"Our parents were incredible people and an inspiration to many, but first and foremost they were focused on and loved their family and spending time with their new grandchildren," the statement continues.

"Together for five decades, our only comfort is that they are still together now.

"This is an unimaginable grief to shoulder. Our only ask is that our family's privacy is respected at this time."

Mike Lynch had 'most brilliant mind' says close friend published at 16:14 British Summer Time 22 August 16:14 BST 22 August

A close friend and colleague of Mike Lynch says he was "the most brilliant mind and the most caring person" he has ever known, in a statement released to the BBC in the last half an hour.

Quote Message Over nearly a quarter century I had the privilege of working beside someone unrivalled in their understanding of technology and business.

Quote Message There is simply no other UK technology entrepreneur of our generation who has had such an impact on so many people. His passion for life, knowledge and all those around him was instantly inspiring to everyone he met, and he will be sorely missed." Andrew Kanter

Meanwhile Ruth Leigh, a neighbour of Mike Lynch said she was "horrified" when she learned he was missing after the yacht sank.

The 57-year-old writer and author added: "It's dreadful, it's the worst news."

She said that "right from the start [Lynch] was a fantastic neighbour".

Quote Message Whenever he met you he always remembered your name, he would chat to you, incredibly friendly and down to earth which we thought was a great quality. He was a really good neighbour." Ruth Leigh

British Library and BBC heads among latest tributes to Mike Lynch published at 15:57 British Summer Time 22 August 15:57 BST 22 August

Here are some more tributes that have been coming in to Mike Lynch, who had served on the boards of several organisations, including the British Library and the BBC.

The chief executive of the British Library, Sir Roly Keating , says: "Mike's extraordinary understanding of technology, combined with his passion for the British Library's mission to share knowledge, made him an invaluable member of our board.

"He was thoughtful, perceptive and supportive, and will be deeply missed by all of us who worked with him in his time here."

Director general of the BBC Tim Davie says: "Mike Lynch was an outstanding BBC director who made a major contribution during his time on the board, from 2007 to 2012.

"Wise, generous and insightful, he played a particularly key role in accelerating our transformation as a digital organisation."

Who was the late tech tycoon Mike Lynch? published at 15:49 British Summer Time 22 August 15:49 BST 22 August

Lynch, pictured here in 2000, has been in a major figure in the British tech industry since the turn of the century

The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered, days after his yacht capsized off the coast of Sicily.

The 59-year-old was holidaying on his boat with family, members of his business and legal inner circle, as well as the vessel's crew, when it was struck by a powerful storm on Monday morning.

Lynch had been a significant figure in the UK tech industry since helping to establish Cambridge Neurodynamics - a firm that specialised in using computer-based detection and recognition of fingerprints.

Five years later, he co-founded the British tech firm Autonomy. In 2011, Lynch made his riches by selling his company to US computing giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $11bn (£8.6bn).

But an intense legal battle following the high-profile acquisition loomed over Lynch for over a decade. He was acquitted of multiple fraud charges in the US in June, over which he had been facing two decades in jail.

Lynch had reportedly invited guests to his yacht to celebrate the conclusion of that court case.

In 2006 he was awarded an OBE in recognition of his service to UK enterprise. He served on the board of the BBC as a non-executive director, and in 2011 was appointed as an adviser to then-Prime Minister David Cameron on the risks and possibilities of AI development.

• You can read more about Mike Lynch here
• Or listen to our new profile on BBC Sounds

Body of Mike Lynch recovered from wreck published at 15:43 British Summer Time 22 August 15:43 BST 22 August Breaking

The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered from the Bayesian yacht off the coast of Sicily, a source close to the family has told the BBC.

The source also said they believe the person still missing is Mike’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.

A 'calm spirit' and 'deeply saddened': Friends and family remember victims of Bayesian sinking published at 15:39 British Summer Time 22 August 15:39 BST 22 August

In addition to the tributes that have been being paid to Mike Lynch, we're also receiving commemorations of the other people who went missing after the Bayesian sank:

• A spokesperson for Clifford Chance, the law firm where Chris Morvillo was a partner, said the team was "in shock and deeply saddened"
• Recaldo Thomas, a chef on the yacht, was described by his friend, Gareth Williams, as being a "well-loved, kind human being with a calm spirit"
• Jonathan Bloomer's brother spoke to the BBC earlier in the week while they were still waiting for news. "We’re coping the best we can, and we’re all just supporting each other,” he said. “He was my elder by half an hour, so, it means a lot when you lose a twin brother."

Reports this morning from the AFP news agency have indicated that all the missing men from the yacht have been brought to shore.

Bloomer 's wife, Judy Bloomer , Morvillo's wife, Neda Morvillo , and Lynch's daughter, Hannah Lynch were also confirmed as missing earlier this week.

As we've been reporting, five bodies, in addition to the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas, have been retrieved so far but there has been no formal identification by Italian officials.

UK cancer charity 'deeply saddened' at Lynch news published at 15:22 British Summer Time 22 August 15:22 BST 22 August

The chief executive of Cancer Research UK has paid tribute to Mike Lynch, saying the charity is “deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mike Lynch and all those who have been affected by this tragedy”.

Michelle Mitchell says: "Together with his wife, Angela, Mike was a valued donor to Cancer Research UK and a member of the board for our Create the Change campaign, which funded the building of the Francis Crick Institute.”

"His support has helped to bring leading scientists together under one roof to tackle the biggest health challenges faced by humankind, including cancer,” adds Mitchell.

"Our sincerest condolences go out to all the families affected."

Lynch spoke of second lease of life weeks before boat tragedy published at 14:57 British Summer Time 22 August 14:57 BST 22 August

Mike Lynch was described by many who knew him as a charismatic and clever man, regarded by some as the UK’s version of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

A tech industry stalwart for over 30 years, the Cambridge graduate was awarded an OBE for his services to UK enterprise.

His company Autonomy was a British tech superstar. The software Lynch developed at the firm used a statistical method called Bayesian Inference, which helps forecasters predict more accurate outcomes. It’s still used in AI tools today, and shares a name with the yacht he died on.

When Lynch was dramatically acquitted in a US court of 15 charges of fraud earlier this year, he was also in line for a £300m pay-out from the recent sale of UK cybersecurity firm Darktrace, which he co-founded.

Things were looking up, and just three weeks ago he spoke about having a second lease of life. It sounds like the yacht trip was intended as a celebration of that new chapter.

Lynch also told the BBC that his wealth had helped him ride out the legal proceedings, but equally, it was also his wealth which put him and his family on the doomed luxury yacht.

Body of Mike Lynch retrieved today, official tells Reuters published at 14:43 British Summer Time 22 August 14:43 BST 22 August

An Italian interior ministry official has confirmed to Reuters news agency that the body of Mike Lynch was retrieved from the wreck today.

Massimo Mariani says Lynch's daughter Hannah, 18, is still missing - adding that it's possible she is either inside the wreck or may have been tossed into the sea as the boat sank.

The BBC is in touch with the Italian authorities and we'll bring you further details as we get them.

Italian interior ministry official Massimo Mariani leaves after visiting the scene where a luxury yacht sank

What's been happening on the fourth day of the search operation? published at 14:34 British Summer Time 22 August 14:34 BST 22 August

If you're just joining us, here's the latest from the fourth day of the Sicily search operation:

• As the fifth body is brought to shore, the search for one missing body continues
• Reuters is reporting that the last missing body is Mike Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah
• Lynch's body has been recovered, according to multiple reports, as well as the bodies of Jonathan Bloomer and Chris Morvillo, says AF P
• There has been no formal identification yet. Under Italian law, victims families must be notified first
• Investigators have questioned the yacht's captain, James Cutfield , for two hours yesterday. There are now questions over whether he took necessary measures amid weather warnings before the boat capsized

To watch and listen, you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Body Of Mike Lynch Recovered From Sicily Yacht. BBC News. Video Body Of Mike Lynch Recovered From Sicily Yacht

Shop New Arrivals

Rolex Bezels: How to Use the Yacht-Master Bezel

When Rolex developed the Yacht-Master in 1992, the company sought to create a top-shelf version of the Submariner diver’s watch. Rumor has it that Rolex wasn’t quite brave enough to make any drastic changes to the design of the iconic Submariner itself, resulting in the Rolex Yacht-Master being added to the catalog as a separate model.

Both watches may look similar with the use of a dial topped with lume, a robust Oyster case, and a timing bezel, but they serve two very different functions. With a build similar to the Submariner, you can expect some of the Yacht-Master’s key functions to operate in the same way. However, while the Submariner is meant for use far below the surface of the ocean, the Yacht-Master is better suited for the decks of a yacht. Since its release over 20 years ago, the Rolex Yacht-Master has become a highly sought-after timepiece, thanks to a blend of bold aesthetics, quality craftsmanship, premium materials, and plenty of variety.

Getting back to the Yacht-Master’s status as a sports watch as well as a boating watch, the bezel’s primary function is to measure amounts of time while at sea, as well as sync with race start times during a regatta. Read on to find out how to use the Rolex Yacht-Master bezel – whether you’re sailing or not.

About the Rolex Yacht-Master

Current Rolex Yacht-Master Collection Key Features:

• Reference Numbers: 226659, 226658, 126655, 126622, 126621, 268621, 268622, 268655
• Year of Introduction: 1992
• Case Sizes: 37mm, 40mm 42mm
• Materials: White Gold, Yellow Gold, Everose Gold, Everose Rolesor (Steel/Everose Gold), Rolesium (Steel/Platinum)
• Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, 60-Minute Timing Bezel
• Dial: Multiple Options Available
• Bezel: Bidirectional rotating; Cerachrom, Platinum, Everose Gold w/ 60-Minute Scale
• Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
• Movement: Rolex Caliber 2236 or Caliber 3235 (Self-Winding)
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
• Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet, Oysterflex Bracelet

Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide in the Rolex Yacht-Master.

Rolex Yacht-Master as a Tool Watch

As its name would suggest, the Rolex Yacht-Master was developed as a tool-watch for sailing, offering water-resistance up to 100 meters (330 feet) via a Triplock screw-down crown, a highly legible dial, and a bidirectional rotating timing bezel. It’s worth noting that the Yacht-Master was initially only offered in an all-gold finish, with more affordable two-tone options hitting the market in the subsequent years.

Today, the Yacht-Master is the most varied Rolex sports watch collection, available in several sizes, materials, and colorways. Tapered lugs complement the luxurious style of the bezel, which features a matte finish with glossy raised numerals. This gives the Rolex Yacht-Master a refined appearance that stands apart from the more tool-oriented Submariner.

Depending on the reference, the Rolex Yacht-Master bezel is either crafted from sandblasted precious metals or matte black Cerachrom ceramic. The 60-minute timing bezels of the Yacht-Master are distinguished by raised markings, which include numerals and batons. Unlike the unidirectional bezel of the Submariner, the timing bezel on the Yacht-Master is capable of rotating both ways.

How to Use the Yacht-Master Bezel to Sync with Regatta Start Times

A regatta is a sporting event involving a series of yacht races, and the races have timed starting sequences. Boats have to sail back and forth behind the starting line during the countdown sequence without crossing the line too early (an early start leads to a penalty). Therefore, the Yacht-Master bezel can be used to sync with the official countdown to the race start time. Consequently, it’s especially beneficial that the Rolex Yacht-Master bezel has graduations for the first 10 minutes.

To operate the bezel on the Rolex Yacht-Master, all the user needs to do is simply align the zero position on the bezel (the inverted triangle) with the minute hand, then use the 10-minute hashes to count down to the race start time. For instance, if the countdown is three minutes, then the user has to start when the minute hand reaches the third graduation on the bezel.

How to Use the Yacht-Master Bezel to Measure Elapsed Time

Measuring elapsed time with the Yacht-Master bezel is pretty straightforward up to 60 minutes. This would come in handy to calculate the sailing time between two buoys. To start, rotate the bezel in either direction to sync the zero market with the minute hand. Once finished, the minute hand will point to the amount of time that has passed against the 60-minute scale on the bezel.

For example, if it is 10:21 at the start of an event, rotate the bezel until the zero position lines up with the minute hand at the 21st minute. Once the event is over, look at where the minute hand points to on the bezel and it will tell you how many minutes have passed. For instance, if the minute hand points to 35 on the bezel, 35 minutes have elapsed since the timer started.

Although these options are useful while sailing, many of us won’t have this need in our everyday lives, as sailing is a niche sport. Thankfully, the Rolex Yacht-Master’s timing capabilities can be used for any event, be it another type of race, or even to time something as quotidian as keeping track of the time left on a parking meter or boiling an egg on the stove!

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 / Rolex Info

Recommended Articles

Luxury Watch Designers that Changed History

When Did Rolex Start Using Sapphire Crystal?

Minute Details: The Rolex Daytona ref. 16520

You may also like.

Omega Seamaster

PreOwned Omega Steel Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M

Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean 232.32.46.51.01.005

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M White Teak Dial