what is yacht master

• Certificates of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster

What is an RYA Yachtmaster?

The RYA Yachtmaster® Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike other qualifications in the cruising programme, there is no formal training course to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Instead, provided you have sufficient experience, certification and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. There are a number of RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam. Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates also choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some specialised exam preparation training, but this is not compulsory.

You are capable of coastal passages

You are competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore

You have the knowledge and experience to sail worldwide

• Arranging your exam

The Coastal and Offshore exams are practical tests afloat, and the Ocean is an oral exam. Find out more about qualifying passages, exam fees and how to book. 

With an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence you can start a career at sea.

You'll need to have the appropriate qualification for the vessel and area of operation.

If you want to work commercially, you'll need a commercial endorsement.

Find out more about other RYA professional qualifications.

• Getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course

Can you really become an RYA Yachtmaster in as little as 14 weeks? Check out our top tips for getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course...

.css-1c7en8u{font-size:clamp(1.375rem, 1.25rem + 0.3125vw, 3.125rem);line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:1rem;} Yacht-Master 42 .css-1g7r01k{font-weight:300;font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.9375rem + 0.1563vw, 1.25rem);line-height:1.2;text-wrap:balance;}.css-1g7r01k span{display:block;} Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium Reference 226627

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Staying on course

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium with an intense black dial and an Oyster bracelet.

Bidirectional rotatable bezel, timing the distance.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt, sand-blasted background.

This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Intense black dial

Exceptional legibility.

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display.

The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

RLX titanium

Ultralight resistance

RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex. Like all titanium alloys, it is especially lightweight and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.

Another characteristic of RLX titanium is the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish according to the brand’s specifications. Its high mechanical strength makes it complex to work with, and the decision to use it has required the introduction of special production processes.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

The Oyster bracelet of this new version of the Yacht-Master 42 features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by Rolex, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. The Oyster bracelet in RLX titanium also includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   226627

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Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium

Oyster architecture

Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matt black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

3235, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Instantaneous date with rapid setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 70 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

Intense black

Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Learn how to set the time and other functions of your Rolex watch by consulting our user guides.

Yacht-Master 42

Contact an Official Rolex Retailer

Only official Rolex retailers are allowed to sell and maintain a Rolex watch. With the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, they guarantee the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex and help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.

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The Watch Of The Open Seas: History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

Instagram: @rolex

In the year 1992, Swiss watchmaker Rolex would debut a new model line at the Baselworld show that was strikingly similar to the already-popular Submariner. It featured the same 40mm Oyster case with a rotating bezel, the same chronometer-certified caliber, and the same Oyster bracelet.

Seemingly the only difference between the two was the white dial of that first Yacht-Master, a style which has never been an option on a Sub, and the inferior depth rating of 100m when compared to the Sub’s 300m.

Yet, the Yacht-Master was well-received upon launch, and with the passing of time, the yachting-inspired model has evolved and pioneered its own path within Rolex’s catalog.

Read on with us as we go back to the beginning and track the catalysts that paved the way for the most recent Yacht-Master release, the Yacht-Master 42 (226659), to become one of the hottest sports timepieces of the year.

History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

We’ve broken down our overview of the Yacht-Master into the following segments:

• Release Of The Yacht-Master

The Submariner/Yacht-Master Theory

• Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master
• Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The Maxi Dial Yacht-Master

• Two-Tone Rolesor Yacht-Master

The Yacht-Master II

• Six-Digit Yacht-Master

The Oysterflex Yacht-Master

Keep scrolling to read this guide from its beginning, or use the links above to jump down to a specific point.

Browse Bob’s Watches Rolex Catalogue

The Release Of The Yacht-Master

The first Yacht-Master watch was launched in 1992 under reference number 16628. It featured a yellow gold case, a bidirectional graduated bezel, and a matching full-gold Oyster bracelet. Its dial was white with black hour indices, while at center were gold Mercedes hands, and beating inside was the 3135 movement.

Rolex ref. 16628. Instagram: @m_j_watches

Previous to the Yacht-Master’s introduction, Rolex had not released a new model line in a quarter century. So, why did they go with the Yacht-Master, a design that risked being a detractor from their existing Submariner? Let’s take a look at the inspiration.

The sport of yachting is one which demands precise timing and extreme coordination of the entire crew for optimal performance, particularly in offshore competitions.

Prototype Daytona Yacht-Master ref. 6239. Image: Christies.com

Rolex believed their waterproof and chronometer-grade timepieces to be more than qualified to handle the knocks of a regatta and keep ticking accurately. The brand is also notorious for their marketing prowess, which led them to act quickly in establishing an association with the sport.

Beginning in 1958 with their first sponsorship of a race, the relationship has endured until today, when the brand sponsors over a dozen international yachting events.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny that there exists a large gap between first contact in 1958 and the release of the yacht-inspired timepiece in the early ’90s. Why wasn’t the Yacht-Master released earlier on?

Well, Rolex played around with the idea of yachting chronograph early on, though it never materialized. All that’s left of these trials are an extremely limited number of Daytona ref. 6239 chronograph prototypes with a 39mm case (vs standard 36mm) and modified regatta dials.

Unfortunately, the Yacht-Master concept was scrapped and would not reappear until decades later.

When it did return, none of the previous Yacht-Master’s DNA was there. Furthermore, the 1992 Yacht-Master was bizarrely similar to the 16610 Sub of the time.

Interestingly enough, Rolex folklore tells of a time in the ’80s when the brand sought to update their Submariner . What resulted was less of an update and more of an overhaul, manifested as what we know now as the first Yacht-Master.

Apprehensive of the repercussions that making such aggressive design changes to their staple offering could bring, the brand chose instead to release the watch intended to be a new Submariner as the reborn Yacht-Master instead.

The move worked, and the new Yacht-Masters started flying off the shelves. The Yacht-Master was perceived as a more luxurious Sub, though its bidirectional bezel proved useful for on-the-fly countdowns which are critical in sailing competitions. The waterproof nature of the Oyster case further cemented the Yacht-Master as the ideal first mate.

Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master

In 1994, just two years after the debut of the 16628, Rolex would introduce the same design but in smaller case sizes. These were:

• Ref. 68628: Yacht-Master “Mid-Size” in 35mm
• Ref. 69628: Yacht-Master Ladies’ in 29mm

This marked the first time that Rolex ever offered one of their sports models in a smaller case size; all previous instances of case size changes were increases as opposed to reductions. It has been speculated that the smaller cases were intended for the Asian market.

Yacht-Master ref. 16628. Instagram: @thewatchcentre

In the same year, Rolex also offered the same 16628 but this time with a deep blue dial. Blue dials tend to make for broadly-liked watches, and coupled with the gold case and bracelet, the new version was once again a hit.

The Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The next update to the model line would come in 1999 with yet another home-run: the Rolesium Yacht-Master. The new watch featured a stainless steel case and bracelet with a platinum dial and platinum-insert bezel. Rolesium, a term registered by Rolex back in the ’30s for a combination of steel and platinum in a watch, was finally put to use.

The new platinum Yacht-Master ref. 16622 was not only more accessible than the previous all-gold varieties, it was also more versatile. This would lead the 16622 variety to become the face of the Yacht-Master line.

In fact, many online resources erroneously label it the first Yacht-Master ever; this should offer an idea of how emblematic it is in the watch industry.

The 16622 also presented a new dial and hand style that would mark Rolex as a whole through to the modern day. The new Yacht-Master boasted what is now recognized as the “maxi dial”.

Rolex Yacht-Master 16628 w/ maxi dial. Instagram: @kellokonttori

The maxi dial is characterized by oversized hour indices as well as larger hands at center. To the untrained eye, the difference may be difficult to spot, though experienced collectors will note the change instantly.

The maxi dial became the style of choice for all modern Rolex sports watches, though it got its start in the 1999 platinum Yacht-Master. A Submariner would first feature a maxi dial in 2003, with the release of the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner “Kermit” (16610LV).

All versions of the Yacht-Master produced after the introduction of the maxi dial would also feature the new dial design. This included the blue, gold, and white dial versions from years past.

The Two-Tone (Rolesor) Yacht-Master

Six years after the Rolesium Yacht-Master came to be, Rolex would once more put on display their mixed-metal Rolesor style in the two-tone Yacht-Master 16623.

Yacht-Master ref. 16623. Instagram: @v.davidofftimepieces

The 2005 debuts possessed a 40mm steel case, a yellow gold bidirectional bezel, and a two-tone Oyster bracelet. As far as dials, many of the previous styles were also available like the black-on-white, though mother of pearl version were also introduced.

It was during Baselworld 2007 when Rolex would introduce the Yacht-Master’s younger and much larger sibling, the Yacht-Master II. Whereas the original Yacht-Master was very close functionally to the Sub, the Yacht-Master II was completely the opposite.

It can be said that the only overlap between the YM and the YMII is be the name, as the second iteration looks like a whole new watch. This time, though, it’s clear that the watch has been designed with the needs of yachting professionals in mind.

The first Yacht-Master II were marked by a 44mm Oyster case, an Oyster bracelet, a white dial,  and a blue Cerachrom (ceramic) Ring Command bezel. The first two references, 116688 and 116689, were made of yellow gold and white gold, respectively.

Powering the YMII was another innovation – Rolex’s in-house calibre 4161. It features the COSC-chronometer certification and 72-hour power reserve that are today’s standard, though they were industry-leading at the time. Most notable, though, was the 4161 movement’s functions.

The new caliber boasted a “ programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. ” Naturally, the programming of the movement required the use of the Ring Command bezel, a feature which had also never been encountered on a Rolex watch before.

In later years, Rolex would go on to release Rolesor and full-steel versions of the Yacht-Master II, both of which have been relatively successful. The Yacht-Master II has certainly earned a spot in the brand’s catalog, and is sure to stick around for next couple of decades.

The Six-Digit Yacht-Master

Yacht-Master 116622

Twenty years after it debuted as the 16628, the Yacht-Master would see in 2012 the modernization that had been sweeping Rolex’s other model families.

Aside from receiving a new six-digit reference number (116622), subtle aesthetic changes were also present, as was an outstanding new dial option – the Cobalt Blue dial.

The case was now a “super case”, which retained the 40mm diameter but was styled differently. The bezel was now completely platinum, where previous versions were made of steel with a platinum insert. The Oyster bracelet had likewise been upgraded.

A platinum bezel / platinum dial option was still part of the collection and therefore received the same upgrades. Unfortunately, this iconic “albino” look would be completely discontinued in 2017.

The subsequent and most recent significant change to the Yacht-Master family took place in 2015, when Rolex first introduced the Everose Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655.

Rolex Everose Yacht-Master on Oysterflex bracelet

The newest iteration of the YM possessed some new features. The case was made of Everose, and the bezel now boasted a black Cerachrom insert. Securing the watch to the wrist was another Rolex first – the Oysterflex rubber ‘bracelet’.

Before the 116655, no Rolex watch had ever sported a rubber band. The brand still refers to it as a bracelet given the metal elements within the band, but these are not obvious even with the watch in the hand.

This same style of Yacht-Master would receive the next update in 2019, when Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold.

What’s Next?

With the recent changes that the Yacht-Master line has had, it is clear that Rolex intends to keep this model family alive and well for years to come. Consumers are likewise responding to each new release, offering plenty of feedback with their pocketbooks.

If you’d like to read up on any of Rolex’s other model families, make sure to check out some of our extensive watch guides below:

• History Of The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
• Overview Of The Most Luxurious Pilot’s Watch: The GMT-Master
• How Did The Day-Date Become The President’s Watch?
• Review Of Rolex’s Longest Running Watch Model
• Rolex Watches That Could Become The Investment Of A Lifetime

"I have always been a fan of the Yacht-Master, but I had no idea that it didn't exist until the 1990s. Thanks for the information, and thanks for keeping it entertaining. Well done!"

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How Many Rolex Yacht-Master Sizes Are There Now?

The biggest news to come out of Rolex’s Baselworld booth in 2019 was the release of the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659, which overtook the Yacht-Master 40’s spot as the largest model in the collection. Although the Rolex Yacht-Master has only been around for about three decades, it has undergone the most size changes with a few new dimensions introduced and a couple of old ones discontinued.

In fact, the only model that has retained its original case size since the beginning is the standard 40mm Yacht-Master (known as the Yacht-Master 40). Given all the updates, a common question we come across is just how many Rolex Yacht-Master sizes are there? Well, keep on reading to find out.

The Rolex Yacht-Master

Yacht-Master Key Features:

Production Years: 1992 – Present

Materials: Yellow gold, stainless steel/platinum, stainless steel/yellow gold, Everose gold, or stainless steel/Everose Gold

Functionality: Time with running seconds, quickset date

Case Sizes: 42mm, 40mm, 37mm, 35mm (discontinued), 29mm (discontinued)

Dial: Mercedes-style hands, date window at 3 o’clock

Bezel: Precious metal or Cerachrom, raised 60-minute scale, bidirectional

Crystal: Sapphire with Cyclops lens

Water Resistance: 100 meters / 330 feet

Bracelet: Oyster or Oysterflex

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

A History of Rolex Yacht-Master Sizes

Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992 as an ultra-luxurious sports watch ready for the open seas. While it was similar in style to the Submariner – complete with Mercedes-style hands, an Oyster bracelet, and a 60-minute rotating bezel – Rolex made the nautically-inspired Yacht-Master more opulent thanks to a full precious metal bezel (instead of an aluminum insert) and swapped out the 300-meter water resistance rating of the Submariner dive watch for a more standard 100 meters.

The very first Yacht-Master model was fashioned entirely in 18k yellow gold and featured a 40mm case. However, Rolex quickly expanded the collection to include other sizes. For instance, two smaller Yacht-Master watches joined the lineup in 1994: the ladies Yacht-Master with a 29mm case and the midsize Yacht-Master with a 35mm case. Furthermore, other metal options were soon on offer, including two-tone steel and yellow gold varieties, followed by a stainless steel edition with a solid 950 platinum bezel. In Rolex-speak, the yellow gold/steel version is dubbed Yellow Rolesor while the steel/platinum variant is called Rolesium.

In 2015, Rolex made a few key updates to the Yacht-Master collection. First of all, the Yacht-Master 29 and Yacht-Master 35 were both discontinued in favor of the Yacht-Master 37 with its larger 37mm case diameter. Second, Rolex dropped the yellow gold option and replaced it with an Everose gold version but paired with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel and black rubber Oysterflex bracelet. The following year saw the debut of the two-tone steel/Everose Gold (a.k.a. Everose Rolesor) editions, which replaced the Yellow Rolesor models in the Rolex Yacht-Master lineup.

Finally, we reach 2019, with the launch of the Yacht-Master 42, which is not only the biggest model available but also the first to include an 18k white gold case. Similar to the Everose gold Yacht-Master, the white gold Yacht-Master is fitted with a black Cerachrom bezel and black Oysterflex bracelet.

Current Yacht-Master Sizes

– Yacht-Master 42

– Yacht-Master 40

– Yacht-Master 37

As you browse the different Rolex watch case sizes , you will notice there are only a few different sizes of Yacht-Masters available.  Rolex currently makes three sizes of the Yacht-Master. There’s the new Yacht-Master 42, the Yacht-Master 40, and the Yacht-Master 37. While the largest model is exclusively offered in solid white gold, Rolex makes the two other sizes in Everose gold, two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel, and bi-metal platinum and stainless steel.

It’s worth mentioning that the Yacht-Master is the only current Rolex sports watch collection that offers a functional bezel on a case that’s smaller than 40mm. Consequently, the Yacht-Master 37 is a great option for someone with smaller wrists looking for a Rolex sports watch.

Discontinued Yacht-Master Sizes

– Yacht-Master 35

– Yacht-Master 29

After two decades of production, the 29mm ladies Yacht-Master and the 35mm midsize Yacht-Master were both discontinued in 2015. However, these two smaller Yacht-Master watches are still popular options on the pre-owned Rolex market.

A Complete List of All Yacht-Master Sizes and References

In short, the Rolex Yacht-Master is available in five different sizes (including the discontinued variants): 42mm, 40mm, 37mm, 35mm, and 29mm. Below is a comprehensive list of Yacht-Master sizes and references.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42

Rolex Yacht-Master 40

Rolex Yacht-Master 37

Rolex Yacht-Master 35

Rolex Yacht-Master 29

The Only Rolex Sports Watch Available in Multiple Sizes

Unlike other Rolex Professional watch collections, the Yacht-Master has always been varied in terms of sizes. In fact, the Yacht-Master is the only Rolex sports watch line that provides more than one size option at the same time. Pre-2015, it was 29mm, 35mm, and 40mm. Today, it’s 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm.

On the other hand, Rolex only ever offers the likes of the Submariner, Daytona, GMT-Master, and other sports models in one size. And if there is a size change (for instance when the Submariner grew to 41mm or the Explorer grew to 39mm or the Sea-Dweller grew to 43mm) then the previous size is discontinued.

The size variations, along with the wide range of metals, dials, and bezels to choose from, makes the Yacht-Master collection one of the most diverse models Rolex has ever made. This is particularly impressive when you consider that the Yacht-Master is less than three decades old.

Which one is your favorite Yacht-Master size? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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.

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Rolex’s Yacht-Master Is 2mm Bigger and It’s a Big Difference

Introducing the Yacht-Master 42, upsized for a bolder wrist presence and in white gold for Baselworld 2019.

By Zen Love

Baselworld, the biggest watch event of the year, is happening now at the Messe Basel in Basel, Switzerland. We’ve got a team on the ground there to bring you the most exciting releases. Follow our coverage here , and also be sure to check out Instagram . We’ll be posting to our feed throughout the week.

Price: $27,800 Availability: TBD Movement & Winding: Rolex in-house 3235 automatic Case Dimensions: 42mm thick; white gold Power Reserve: ~70 hours

Quick Take: Rolex’s big announcements for Baselworld 2019 include the new Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659, upsized to 42mm in white gold. Two millimeters may seem like a small matter, but Rolex is known for conservative, incremental evolutions. Those 2mm help give the Yacht-Master that little bit more wrist presence it probably deserves — and also help it stand out more from the popular Submariner.

Who It’s For: The Yacht-Master is visually similar to the Rolex Submariner in many ways but with a more elegant vibe in comparison to its no-nonsense dive-watch sibling. Its place is more aboard the yacht — with its lighter splash- or even wave-ready 100m of water-resistance — than beneath the sea. In white gold, the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is also more exclusive — and since white gold can look like steel, it’s a good option for those who wish to be more subtle about their spending habits.

Key Features: The 2mm increase over the previous version might sound almost negligible, but the watch world at large perhaps realizes the significance of this subtle change. At 42mm wide, the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 should have a distinctly more prominent, contemporary profile on the wrist. Seated in a white gold case, the bidirectional rotating bezel has Rolex’s Cerachrom ceramic for the insert. With Chromalight-lumed markers and hands, the Yacht-Master 42 is also notable for being totally monochromatic, whereas man of its cousins from the Crown feature a contrasting color on the dial, such as red.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is powered by Rolex’s in-house 3235 automatic movement with around 70 hours of power reserve. It is chronometer-certified, of course, but Rolex promises an even better accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day. It also comes on an “Oysterflex” rubber strap with Rolex’s excellent “Oysterclasp” folding clasp — perfect for use on the open seas.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 126622 Review & Complete Guide

Rolex Yacht-Master 126622 Review & Complete Guide

Before we dig into this article, do note that this is not the reference 116622 but rather the reference 126622. But if you are interested in the 116622, this article will be helpful still.

The Rolex Yacht-Master reference was released a Baselworld 2016. The Yacht-Master model has always established itself as a luxury sports watch in Rolex’s range, which is a bit more elegant than a Submariner, but a little more sporty than a Datejust.

It is a great combination of elegance and sportiness – a combination which a lot of people really enjoy.

The two-sided personality Yacht-Master 116622 is meant for yacht-owners, and thereby its name. In this article, we’ll go into detail about the Rolex Yacht-Master 126622.

Rolex Yacht-Master 126622

As mentioned a new Yacht-Master version was released in 2016, but at Baselworld 2019, Rolex found that the model needed to be updated once again. This time, no major visual differences were done, as in 2016 when Rolex introduced a new dial, among other things. This time, the change was simply a step into the direction of moving to Rolex’s new generation movements. This year, it was the Yacht-Master 116622’s time for an update.

And since we have already gotten started talking about movements, let’s begin with that.

Rolex Yacht-Master movement

The previous generation Yacht-Master 116622 is powered by the Rolex caliber 3135. This is considered Rolex’s workhorse and has been used by the brand since 1988. While this caliber has proven the test of time, there is always room for improvements, and this time, Rolex gave Yacht-Master to the new movement, which is the Caliber 3235. Remember, Rolex is about evolution, not revolution, and while this change of movement can’t be seen as a huge update to the model, it does improve its reliability and quality. And this is what Rolex is all about.

The previous caliber 3135 provides a power reserve of around 48 hours and as of 2015—a year before the launch of the Yacht-Master ref. 116622—Rolex redefined its “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation to guarantee an impressive accuracy rating of -2/+2 seconds per day. The self-winding caliber also boasts the paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring for improved resistance to magnetic fields and daily knocks.

Now, with the new caliber 3235 and Yacht-Master 126622, things have been updated. And therefore, thanks to a new barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3255 extends to three days. This is an increase of 1 day of power reserve.

The 3255 is a new-generation mechanical movement with 14 patents, which sets new standards of performance for the core characteristics of a watch movement: precision, power reserve, reliability, resistance to shocks and magnetism, as well as the ease and convenience of its adjustment.

The Chronergy escapement’s efficiency has been improved by 15%, it is 2x more precise than an official chronometer. Like the previous 3135, it has a Parachrom hairspring which is insensitive to magnetic fields and temperature variations, and up to 10 times more resilient to shocks than traditional hairsprings.

As you have noticed, the reference has changed to start with 12 instead of 11 for this new model, and this is to demonstrate the use of the new generation caliber.

For some, these slight improvements in the movement of the Yacht-Master may not seem like a lot. But the fact of the matter is that it is because of improvements like these that Rolex is what it is today.

As you would expect, the 126622 features a quickset date function where the date us adjusted independently from the center timekeeping hands in order to make adjusting the date quick and effortless. It is also equipped with hacking seconds which means the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out in order to allow for precise time-setting.

Now, the Yacht-Master 126622 is not a full-blooded dive watch , but it does have a water-resistance of 100-meters (330 feet). Think of the Submariner as a robust tool watch and the Yacht-Master as the yacht-owners watch who may just satisfy with a relaxing morning swim from the yacht.

To keep dust and water out from the case, the watch features a Triplock screw-down winding crown and a robust casebook.

Yacht-Master case

Most people have heard of Rolesor – Rolex’s own combination of gold and steel. But not equally many people know what Rolesium is. The Yacht-Master uses Rolesium, and this is when rugged stainless steel and ultra-precious platinum meet on a Rolex watch. The case and bracelet are made of 904L stainless steel, but the bezel of the watch is actually made completely in platinum. While both are white metals, platinum gets a completely unique sheen compared to steel and thus creates a discreet contrast. The use of platinum is also proof of the fact that this model is positioned more as a luxury sports watch.

Because of the fact that both the bezel and steel case is made in white metals, the watch tends to look monochromatic. But this is contrasted by the stunning rich blue dial. If you decide to opt for the rhodium dial, the contrast is not that great as it is with blue.

The case is 40mm in diameter. It has a thickness of 11.5 mm and Lug Width : 20 mm. In comparison, the Rolex Submariner 116610 is 12.5 mm in thickness. So the Yacht-Master is slimmer, which thus also allows it to better slip under a cuff.

This brings us to the bezel:

The bezel of the Yacht-Master 126622 has high-polished raised numerals set against a sandblasted background to the polished center links on the bracelet flanked by the brushed-finish outer links. The Yacht-Master 126622 is the only sports watch from Rolex which features this many polished elements. But this is of course in line with the way Rolex positions this watch as an elegant sports watch – not robust sports watch.

The bezel is bi-directional and has 120 clicks in both directions. As Rolex suggests, ”This functional bezel allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys”.

When it comes to the dials, you currently have two dial combinations to choose from. Either a rich blue sunburst dial which catches the light beautifully and completely changes its appearance depending on how the light hits it. Or, you can choose a rhodium dial which has a not-so-Rolex-like baby blue/Miami blue seconds hand that creates a nice contrast against the dial. You also have the Yacht-Master text printed in the same color.

The only way you will be able to tell the 116622 from the 126622 apart is by looking at 6 o’clock on the dial. On the 116622, it will say ”Swiss made”. But on the new reference, it will say ”Swiss (Rolex crown) Made”. This is to show that it has a new generation movement. Apart from this, it will be impossible to tell them apart (unless you open them up or look at the engraved reference number on the case.

The 126622 has a strong lume which allows for good readability. As mentioned briefly, it features a date function, with the date window placed at 3 o’clock and the Cyclops magnification lens on the sapphire crystal.

Being a sporty watch, it features the iconic and robust Oyster bracelet.

To enhance its elegance, it has polished middle links. The clasp has Rolex’s clever Easlylink comfort extension link which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

116622 is now replaced with the 126622: New dial and Movement

The update from 116622 is obviously not huge from a visual perspective. But the fact of the matter is, that’s not what Rolex about. Evolution, not revolution. At the end of the day, the update of the movement was due because of the many years it has been used. Ultimately, this will lead to a more reliable and qualitative timepiece that will last through generations.

What are your thoughts on the Rolex Yacht-Master 126622? Do you think they should have made more major updates to the model?

12 thoughts on “ Rolex Yacht-Master 126622 Review & Complete Guide ”

I’ve heard this new model also has an easy glide clasp the same as on a sub. I didn’t think the older model had it. I’ll find out for sure on Sunday when I collect mine.

Hi Steven, The 126622 has the Easylink extension system. Not the Glidelock clasp. Congratulations in advance on a stunning timepiece!

Kind regards, Millenary Watches

I watched a review of the latest GMT II that uses this caliber, and while all is well & good, the reviewer did point out that the new rotor mechanism for this caliber is very noisy! Which I find very disappointing for a contemporary Rolex I’m afraid.

Hi David, The Yacht-Master 126622 does not have a GMT hand so does not use the same caliber as the GMT II. The Yacht-Master uses the cal 3235. The GMT uses the caliber 3285.

I bought the 126622 with slate dial. I believe case is also slightly different from 116622 – is that correct?

Hi, The main difference is the movement. There has not been any communication regarding the case of the watch but there is a possibility that there has been a tiny change which is barely noticeable.

If one wanted to “upgrade” their movement from a 3135 to a 3235 can they be swapped without case modification?

Hi, Rolex will not change to a new caliber in an old reference. If you would want to make this change, you would have to source the movement yourself and have an independent watchmaker install it. And finding complete calibers on the secondhand market is very difficult..

I will like the option of a Black dial on the 40 126622.. it would be beautiful.

That sounds like a great idea! Perhaps Rolex doesn’t want it to be too similar to the Submariner, which could be the explanation why they are not making it.

I’ve heard some people say that the dial of 116622 contains rhodium and the dial of 126622 does not contain rhodium. Do you think these statements are valid?

Hello, That sounds a bit strange. The 116622 has a platinum dial with a shiny effect. If anything, it would be more reasonable that the 126622 has a rhodium dial.

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