Where the sand meets the water · Photo: Hameen Reynolds / Unsplash
The Rolex story

The Yacht-Master, reference by reference

Rolex's sailing story goes back to its 1958 partnership with the New York Yacht Club. The Yacht-Master arrived in 1992; here is every main reference, including the Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph.

First made
1992
References shown
11
Status
In production
Steel Yacht-Master II with a white dial and blue ceramic bezel resting in snow
Photo: Nicolas Cool · Unsplash License · cropped

The timeline

Drag the timeline, pull the slider below it, or jump to a decade.
  1. 1992–c. 2011
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 16628]
    REF. 16628

    The first Yacht-Master

    Rolex's first all-new model line since the Daytona in 1963: a dressier, solid 18k yellow gold take on the Submariner, 40 mm, with a bezel that turns both ways and raised, polished numbers.

  2. 1994
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 68628]
    REF. 68628 · 69628

    Three sizes

    Rolex adds a mid-size and a ladies' size, making the Yacht-Master one of the few Rolex models offered in that many sizes.

  3. 1999
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 16622]
    REF. 16622

    Rolesium

    A steel case with a platinum bezel, which Rolex calls “Rolesium.” It cost less than solid gold and became the face of the Yacht-Master line.

  4. 2007
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 116688]
    REF. 116688 · 116689YACHT-MASTER II

    Yacht-Master II arrives

    A 44 mm regatta chronograph in gold: the first watch with a programmable countdown (1 to 10 minutes) and a mechanical memory, set by turning the “Ring Command” bezel. It times the start of a sailing race.

  5. 2011
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 116681]
    REF. 116681YACHT-MASTER II

    Two-tone Everose

    The Yacht-Master II in steel and Everose (rose) gold.

  6. 2012
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 116622]
    REF. 116622

    The Rolesium update

    A refreshed steel-and-platinum Yacht-Master with an improved clasp and a bezel that clicks in 120 steps. Its new blue sunray dial was a hit.

  7. 2013
    Steel Yacht-Master II with a white dial and blue ceramic bezel resting in snow
    Photo: Nicolas Cool · Unsplash License · cropped
    REF. 116680YACHT-MASTER II

    Yacht-Master II in steel

    The regatta chronograph in all steel, making it more affordable, with the updated calibre 4161 movement.

  8. 2015
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 116655]
    REF. 116655 · 268655

    Black bezel, rubber strap

    Everose gold with the first black dial and matte black ceramic bezel on a Yacht-Master. It also launched Oysterflex, Rolex's first rubber-style bracelet.

  9. 2019
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 226659]
    REF. 226659

    Yacht-Master 42

    A bigger 42 mm Yacht-Master in white gold, powered by calibre 3235.

  10. 2023
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 226627]
    REF. 226627

    Titanium

    The Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium, Rolex's second all-titanium production watch after the Deepsea Challenge. A prototype was spotted on sailor Sir Ben Ainslie in 2021.

  11. 2026–today
    [PHOTO NEEDED
    REF. 126680]
    REF. 126680 · 126688TODAY

    Yacht-Master II returns

    Dropped in 2024, the Yacht-Master II came back at Watches and Wonders 2026 in steel and yellow gold. The new calibre 4162 lets you program the countdown with the pushers instead of the bezel, and the countdown scale moved to the dial's edge.

1992–c. 2011 · REF. 166281 / 11

What never changed

THE TWO-WAY BEZEL

A bezel that turns both directions, with raised numbers you can feel.

A LUXURY SUBMARINER

Submariner-style looks in gold, platinum, and titanium.

BUILT FOR SAILING

Made for life on the water, in the spirit of Rolex's yachting partnerships.

Through every generation

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Sources and photo credits

Dates and reference years come from Rolex and the dealer and auction sources below. When sources disagree, we show a range or the word "about." Last checked November 7, 2026.

Sources

Photos