The Rolex Yacht Master is the ultimate watch dedicated to luxury sports. It holds a charisma and performance that it has borrowed from the universe that inspired it: sailing.

We all know how much the House of the crown admires demanding and elegant disciplines, and how much dmiration pioneers, explorers and sportspeople have for Rolex’s watchmaker know-how.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century, large format watches were the only instruments that performed well enough for sea navigation. Hans Wildorf, the founder of Rolex, participated actively to this change. To his eyes, le wristwatch represented the future of watchmaking and thus proved that these new watches are indeed compatible with chronometric precision.

Many sailors were departing at sea with Rolex chronometer-wristwatches on their wrists, to the image of Sir Francis Chichester, Bernard Moitessier, and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who account for the first voyages around the world in single-handed sailboats and in a period of less than a year.

When Rolex released a never-seen-before model in 1992, it’s to the sailing world that the brand dedicates its new technological crown jewel. Baptised Yacht-Master, the watch conjugates, thanks to the skill that we know of Rolex, a hyper-refined style in a hyper-functional watch, whereas the Yacht-Master II offers up a concentrate of technology at the cutting edge of watchmaking art in a regatta chronograph destined to the world of competitive sailing.

In 2019, Rolex revealed a new model among its nautical watches; the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 indicates a 42mm diameter, unheard of in the Yacht Master range, and harbours the caliber of the new generation of 3235s. Made from 18ct grey gold, it is matched with an Oysterflex bracelet that is garnered with an 18ct grey gold Oysterlock security buckle that possesses a Rolex Glidelock extension mechanism. An elegant and distinguished variation which evolves with ease, as well on earth as on the high seas.

As beautiful as they are efficient, the Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II thus symbolise the powerful link, as well as the pursuit of excellence that seek Rolex, the most prestigious regattas and yacht clubs since the 50s. The next event on the nautical calendar, the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, from the 25th of September to the 2nd of October 2021, will have the most beautiful sailboats size each other up to compete for the Rolex Trophy! Read more about it here.