Rolex Yacht-Master

Last updated

Rolex Yacht-Master
11-11-24-basel-by-ralfr-088.jpg
Rolex Yacht-Master
TypeAutomatic
DisplayAnalog
Introduced1992

The Rolex Yacht-Master is a luxury sports watch manufactured by Rolex and first introduced in 1992 as Reference 16628 in 18-karat yellow gold. In 1994, Rolex released a lady's model (69628) and a mid-size model (68628) at 35mm, marking the first time in Rolex history that a professional series watch was available in smaller than the standard size case. In 1996, Rolex introduced two-tone (stainless steel and 18-carat yellow gold) to the lady's and mid-size line. [1]

In 1997, Rolex released a Yacht-Master made of stainless steel and platinum, wherein the bezel and dial are made from 950 platinum while the case, bracelet and crown, are in stainless steel. [2]

However, by 1999 Rolex had discontinued their two-tone stainless steel and 18K gold reference 68623 and replaced it in 2000 with a new two-tone model: Reference 168623. [3] The difference between the two models being the new movement found in reference 168623, and the new solid 18K gold center links found on the new, heavier bracelet (the reference 68623 bracelet having hollow center links.)

In 2007, the brand released the Rolex Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph watch, the world's first watch equipped with a programmable countdown from 1 to 10 minutes using a mechanical memory. [4]

In 2015, Rolex launched the 18K Everose gold Yacht-Master, the first Rolex watch to come on a rubberized bracelet, known now as the Oysterflex. The Everose Yacht-Master is available in two sizes - 37mm (268655) and 40mm (126655). [5]

In 2019, Rolex introduced the Rolex Yacht-Master 42, the first Yacht-Master with 42mm case size to feature a date complication. The case, bezel, and Oysterlock clasp are made of 18K white gold, while the bezel contains a matte black and polished Cerachrom material insert. [6]

As of 2021 the Rolex Yacht-Master is still offered in 37mm, 40mm and 42mm case sizes. All Rolex Yacht-master models have a water resistance rating of 100 metres [330 ft]. [7] and a triple-locking winding crown system taken from Rolex’s famous family of saturation diving watches.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex</span> Swiss watch designer and manufacturer

Rolex SA is a Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, the company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915. After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva because of the unfavorable economy in the United Kingdom. In 1920, Hans Wilsdorf registered Montres Rolex SA in Geneva as the new company name ; it later became Rolex SA. Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Speedmaster</span> Chronograph wristwatch, worn by astronauts

Omega Speedmaster is a line of chronograph wristwatches produced by Omega SA. While chronographs have been around since the late 1800s, Omega first introduced this line of chronographs in 1957. Since then, many different chronograph movements have been marketed under the Speedmaster name. Astronaut Walter Schirra was the first person to wear one in space in 1962 during his Mercury-Atlas 8 mission. The manual winding Speedmaster Professional or "Moonwatch" is the best-known and longest-produced; it was worn during the first American spacewalk as part of NASA's Gemini 4 mission, and was the first watch worn by an astronaut walking on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. The Speedmaster Professional remains one of several watches qualified by NASA for spaceflight, and is still the only one so qualified for EVA. The Speedmaster line also includes other models, including analog-digital and automatic mechanical watches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Daytona</span> Watch model by Rolex

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a mechanical chronograph wristwatch designed to meet the needs of racing drivers by measuring elapsed time and calculating average speed. Its name refers to Daytona, Florida, where racing flourished in the early 20th century. It has been manufactured by Rolex since 1963 in four distinct generations ; the second series was introduced in 1988, the third in 2000 and the fourth in 2023. While cosmetically similar, the second series introduced a self-winding movement, and the third series brought manufacture of the movement in-house to Rolex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex GMT Master II</span> Part of the Rolex Professional Watch Collection

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT Master is part of the Rolex Professional Watch Collection. Designed in collaboration with the now defunct Pan American Airways of the United States for use by their pilots and navigators, it was launched in 1954.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Submariner</span> Line of sports watches by Rolex

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of sports watches designed for diving and manufactured by Rolex, resistant to water and corrosion. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch Fair. It was the first watch to be waterproof up to 100 metres (330 ft). The Rolex Submariner is considered "a classic among wristwatches", manufactured by one of the most widely recognized luxury brands in the world. Due to its huge popularity, there are many homage watches by well-established watchmakers, as well as illegal counterfeits. The Rolex Submariner is part of Rolex's Professional line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diving watch</span> Watch designed for underwater diving

A diving watch, also commonly referred to as a diver's or dive watch, is a watch designed for underwater diving that features, as a minimum, a water resistance greater than 1.1 MPa (11 atm), the equivalent of 100 m (330 ft). The typical diver's watch will have a water resistance of around 200 to 300 m, though modern technology allows the creation of diving watches that can go much deeper. A true contemporary diver's watch is in accordance with the ISO 6425 standard, which defines test standards and features for watches suitable for diving with underwater breathing apparatus in depths of 100 m (330 ft) or more. Watches conforming to ISO 6425 are marked with the word DIVER'S to distinguish ISO 6425 conformant diving watches from watches that might not be suitable for actual scuba diving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Datejust</span> Wristwatch manufactured by Rolex

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to indicate the date in a window on the dial. Today, it is available in a variety of sizes from 28mm to 41mm, in stainless steel, two-tone gold, and solid gold versions.Today, it exists in a variety of sizes from 28mm to 41mm, in stainless steel, two-tone, and solid gold versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corum (watchmakers)</span> Swiss watchmaker

Montres Corum Sàrl, commonly referred to as Corum, is a Swiss luxury brand and watch manufacturer established and based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel. Founded in 1955 by René Bannwart, Corum displays a determination to position itself at the forefront of the Swiss watch industry. Adopting creativity and boldness as its guiding principles, Corum is recognized for the aesthetic appeal of its models and its technical excellence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Sea-Dweller</span> Line of watches by Rolex

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller is a line of diver's watches manufactured by Rolex, with an underwater diving depth rating of 1,220 meters and up to 3,900 metres (12,800 ft) for the Sea-Dweller Deepsea variant. In 2022 the dimensionally large Deepsea Challenge Sea-Dweller variant with an official depth rating of 11,000 metres (36,090 ft) was added to the line. The Rolex Sea-Dweller is part of Rolex's Professional line.

The J12 is a line of Swiss made luxury watches introduced in 1999 by French haute couture house Chanel. The J12 was launched in 1999 and is considered as a unisex watch. The watch was designed by the artistic director of the house, Jacques Hélleu, who found inspiration in the two worlds he loved most: automobiles and sailing. Chanel uses highly scratch-resistant ceramic for the watch's case and bracelet. Other materials are used as well, such as titanium and for one of the house's limited edition watches, sapphires were used to create the entirety of the bracelet and case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Milgauss</span> Wristwatch model by Rolex

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is a wristwatch model introduced by Rolex in 1956 with model number 6541. The Milgauss was advertised as “designed to meet the demands of the scientific community working around electromagnetic fields”. The first of its kind, it is capable of withstanding magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss and became known for being worn by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. Its resistance to magnetic interference stems from a shield inside the case made of ferromagnetic alloys, which protects the movement. This shield consists of two components, one screwed to the movement and the other to the case. In addition, its Caliber 3131 movement includes paramagnetic materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Day-Date</span> COSC certified, self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a COSC certified, self-winding chronometer manufactured by Rolex. Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to display the date as well as the day, spelled in full. The calendar display is offered in 26 languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Seamaster</span> Line of mechanical diving watches

The Omega Seamaster is a line of automatic winding mechanical diving watches from Omega with a history that can be traced back to the original water-resistant dress watch released in 1948. The Seamaster collection is perhaps best known today for the Seamaster Diver Professional 300m model that has been worn in the James Bond movie franchise since 1995. Originally conceived as a dressy, water-resistant timepiece, the Omega Seamaster has evolved to a robust sports watch line typically with a stainless steel case, robust water resistance, and an official certified chronometer certified movement within. The Diver Professional 300m is most famous for its "train track" five link steel bracelet, its helium release valve at the 10:00 position, the wave pattern dial on certain model generations, and the skeletonized handset.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Oysterquartz</span> Watch model by Rolex

The Rolex Oysterquartz was a quartz watch made by Rolex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolex Yacht-Master II</span> Sport watch by Rolex

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a sport watch made by Rolex, unveiled in 2007 and first introduced in March 2010 with the models 116688 and 116689. One year later, in 2011, Rolex introduced the model 116681 which was made from steel and everose gold. At Baselworld 2013, the watch was available for the first time in 904L steel, the model 116680, fitted with a Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic. Originally, the Yacht-Master II used Rolex's 4160 movement but with the introduction of the model 116680 in 2013, the movement was updated to the 4161 movement specifically designed for the Yacht-Master II. All Yacht-Master II watches have a case size of 44mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Marine Chronometer</span> 1974 quartz wristwatch

The Omega Marine Chronometer was the first quartz wristwatch ever to be awarded certified status as a marine chronometer. The watch was made by Omega SA and developed by John Othenin-Girard and is one of the most accurate non thermo-compensated production watches ever made, keeping time to within 1 second per month

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Electroquartz</span>

The Omega Electroquartz was introduced in 1969 as the first production Swiss quartz watch. It was the collaboration of 20 Swiss watch companies and the movement was utilised by Rolex, Patek Phillipe and Omega amongst others. The Beta 21 movement used in the Electroquartz was accurate to 5 seconds per month, far better than any automatic or manual wind movement of the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memovox</span>

Memovox refers to a model series of mechanical wristwatches with alarm function of the Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temption</span> Watch manufacturer in Herrenberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Temption GmbH is a manufacturer of mechanical wristwatches. The company is based in Herrenberg, Germany.

References

  1. The Rolex Report pg. 72 by John E. Brozek
  2. "Rolex Yacht Master Guide - A Complete Reference for Buyers | Bob's". Bob's Watches. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. "Rolex Watches Discontinued in the 1990s". Beckertime, LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. "The Rolex Yacht-Master and the Rolex Yacht-Master II". Rolex. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. "A Week on the Wrist: The Rolex Yachtmaster 40mm with Oysterflex Bracelet".
  6. "Introducing: The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in White Gold (Live Pics & Pricing)".
  7. "The Rolex Yacht-Master and the Rolex Yacht-Master II".