what is a yacht master watch

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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Undecided between a Rolex Yacht-Master or Submariner? Here is our guide:

Yacht-Master vs Submariner

Both the Yacht-Master and the Submariner are inextricably linked to Rolex’s rich heritage in developing expert waterproofing technology. Over the last few years Rolex has focussed significantly on its Yacht-Master collection. Since 2015 they have created the Everose version and equipped models with the new Oysterflex bracelet. Likewise, the Submariner has received several modifications since it first launched in 1953, namely its improvement in water resistance. Let’s take a look at how the Yacht-Master and the Submariner fair up to one another in this comparison article which looks into the materials, functions, and performance of each watch.

Presenting the Yacht-Master:

The Yacht-Master is a luxury sports watch that launched in 1992 in an 18k yellow gold case. Since then, ladies’ models have accompanied these rugged timekeeping tools as well as several innovative features like the mid-size man’s model and the Rolesium case, crafted from a mix of Rolex’s 904-L grade stainless steel and 905 platinum. The blend of metals further enhances the model’s luxurious aesthetic, enabling the elements on the dial and bezel to stand out with exquisite luster and luminosity.

Yacht Master

Reference: 268621

Case/Dial: 37mm Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold , Black 10 bar (100 metres / 330 feet)

Movement: Rolex 2236, Self-winding

Functions: Date, Calendar, Stop seconds , 55h power reserve

Strap: Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold

Style: Elegant

Presenting the Submariner:

The Submariner was introduced in 1953. The diver’s watch was an extension of the brand’s success in creating the world’s first waterproof and dustproof watch – the Oyster. It used the same structure as the Oyster case and was equipped with 100-meter water resistance, setting the benchmark for all diver’s watches to follow. Over the last 2 decades, the Submariner has tripled in price and remains a highly desirable model to own from the brand’s prestigious catalog.

Reference: 116613LB

Case/Dial: 40mm Oystersteel and yellow gold , Blue 300 metres / 1,000 feet

Movement: Rolex 3135, Self-winding

Functions: Date, Calendar. Stop-seconds for precise time setting. , 48h power reserve

Strap: Oystersteel and yellow gold

Case and Bracelet:

The Submariner watch is a 40mm model, enabling it to sit comfortably on the arm without overpowering the wrist. It’s a great timepiece for pairing with sporty or casual attire. The case is crafted from stainless steel, featuring a monobloc middle case, a screw-down case back and a screw-down crown. The crown is integrated with the Triplock triple waterproofness system developed by Rolex. It features three sealed zones to offer the best water damage protection over the watch’s movement. The top of the watch is completed with anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass and the watch’s unidirectional rotating bezel is crafted from Cerachrom ceramic, which prevents the surface of the colored bezel from scratching and fading. The unidirectional rotating bezel has 60-minute graduations coated in platinum. Available in green, blue and black, these bezels match their respective dial colors. The case of the Submariner is also available in 18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, steel or a bi-color steel & 18k yellow gold option. The Rolex Yacht-Master is available in a 37mm, 40mm, and a 42m case size. The 37mm version features a steel case with Everose bezel and bracelet links, the 40mm variations are available in a Rolesium (steel and platinum case) and an 18k Everose case with black bezel. The 42mm version is crafted from white gold with a black bezel. There are black dials and dark rhodium dials to choose from within this collection – each one equipped with a cyclops date at 3 o’clock. The 37mm and 40mm Everose watches have a matching rose gold second hand, and like the Submariner, the dial is protected by a sapphire glass lens. The Yacht-Master’s bezel is bidirectional with 60-minute graduations that are raised and polished to stand out clearly. The Yacht-Master is 100-meter water-resistant compared to the Submariner’s 300-meter water-resistant case.

The Submarine is powered by the calibers 3135 and 3130. Both offer a 48-hour power reserve and perform at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The Caliber 3135 has received modifications since it was first developed. It is now COSC-certified and features a Paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring for enhanced mechanical efficiency.

Some Rolex Yacht-Masters are powered by the in-house Caliber 3235, which provides a longer 70-hour power reserve compared to the Submariner. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Others are powered by the Caliber 2236 with a Syloxi hairspring in silicon and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers. It provides a 55-hour power reserve.

Both the Submariner and Yacht-Master watches feature Superlative Chronometer tested movements, meaning that they have undergone a set of stringent tests to prove their robustness, reliability, and strength under extreme conditions.

Bracelet and Clasp:

The Submariner and Yacht-Master differ in terms of their bracelets. The Yacht-Master 40mm Everose and 42mm white gold options are completed on an Oysterflex bracelet with features flexible metal blades protected underneath a high-performance elastomer. To secure around the wrist, the band features an Oysterlock safety clasp and Glidelock extension facility, enabling you to attach the bracelet over the top of heavy outdoor gear. The other Yacht-Master watches come on an Oyster bracelet with Glidelock system. The Submariner is completed on the Oyster bracelet (in options of steel, 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold or bi-color options), with a folding Oysterlock safety clasp and Glidelock extension clasp for expanding in small increments.

The Rolex Yacht-Master watch is more expensive than the Submariner, retailing at around $12,000 as opposed to the Submariner’s $8000 price tag. On the preowned market, however, both watches sell for a similar price point since the Submariner holds its value better compared to the Yacht-Master.

Still Undecided:

The Yacht-Master, despite being available in luxurious Everose and platinum versions, has a sportier aesthetic compared to the rugged look of the Submariner, especially since some models are completed on the Oysterflex bracelet as opposed to a 3-piece Oyster bracelet. It also features a clear dial surrounded by a bidirectional rotating bezel with highly legible markers. The Submariner, on the other hand, is more suitable for diving since it features a unidirectional rotating bezel that will enable you to keep track of remaining dive time and better water resistance. It offers a short power reserve, however, and goes without the addition of the sportier Oysterflex bracelet.

Comparision Table

Ref.124060 vs ref.126622.

Find out more:

Check the official site  here  for more information.

Submariner 126610ln

Reference: 126610ln

Case/Dial: 41mm Steel , Black 300

Movement: 3235, Self-winding

Functions: Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Instantaneous date with rapid setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting , 70h power reserve

Strap: Steel

Style: Diver

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The theories on what caused Bayesian superyacht to sink so quickly

With the final body recovered from the wreckage of the Bayesian luxury British yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily on 19 August, attention now turns to trying to explain how the 56-metre vessel could seemingly sink within a matter of minutes during an intense storm while boats around it remained afloat.

Authorities said on Saturday the most likely cause was a "downburst", a strong downward wind, rather than a water spout - which involves rotating winds like a whirlwind or tornado - as initially suggested.

The disaster, off the port of Porticello, near Palermo, has baffled naval marine experts who said such a vessel, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini and presumed to have top-class fittings and safety features, should have been able to withstand such weather.

On Thursday, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which manufactures Perini boats, said such yachts were "unsinkable bodies" and "the safest in the most absolute sense". He told Sky News: "This incident sounds like an unbelievable story, both technically and as a fact."

Technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah died in the tragedy, along with Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo, and Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas , who was working as a chef on the Bayesian.

The Bayesian was moored just half a mile or so from shore when it sank as the area was hit by an intense storm, but it remains unclear exactly what caused the 56 metre long vessel to sink within a matter of minutes.

Here are some of theories discussed so far looking at what could have happened.

“From the information we have, it is a downburst we are talking about," prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano told a news conference on Saturday.

Downbursts are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly after hitting the ground.

Authorities said one thing they will be looking at is how it could affect one vessel and not others that were nearby at the time.

Cammarano said post-mortem examinations had yet to take place and there were a "whole number of preliminary stages to go through before the autopsies".

He said the passengers were all probably asleep at the time, which was why they failed to escape.

Key to working out exactly what happened will be recovering the wreck, which is lying apparently intact on its side at a depth of 50 metres (164 feet). However, this is likely to prove complex and costly.

"It's in the interests of the owners and managers of the ship to salvage it," another prosecutor, Ambrogio Cartosio said, adding "they have assured their full cooperation".

Hatch or windows were left open

There has been some speculation in media reports that the yacht sank because of a large hatch or windows being left open. Structural engineer Filippo Mattioni pointed to the possibility of "an open hatch" letting in water.

Before the downburst explanation was put forward, yachting experts suggested that the hatches could have broken or smashed during a waterspout, or were left open due to the hot weather, which could have allowed the Bayesian to fill with water quickly and sink. Andrea Ratti, a nautical design professor at Milan Polytechnic university, said a boat the size of the Bayesian could only sink so rapidly by taking in a huge amount of water.

He said that “one can make plausible assumptions that leave room for doubt” about what happened, suggesting that one or more portholes, windows or other openings may have been broken or smashed open by a waterspout, letting in water.

Divers who carried out underwater inspections of the boat reported that the hatch was open, according to La Repubblica, though this has not been confirmed by officials.

However, an industry expert dismissed the open hatch theory, telling Reuters that it should have taken hours for the Bayesian to fill up with enough water to sink it.

Fire department diver Marco Tilotta also told Il Messaggero daily the wreck was “apparently intact”, with “no gashes, no signs of impact”. However, only one half of the hull is visible to divers.

Was the retractable keel used?

The Bayesian was built with a retractable keel - a structure that lies under the hull that helps stabilise boats and acts as a counterweight to the mast. Both Ratti and Mattioni have suggested that if the yacht had been anchored with the keel up, it would have reduced its depth under water from around 10m to 4m – making the vessel less stable.

Ratti said the boat might have started oscillating wildly, “like a pendulum” in strong winds. This would have put exceptional strain on the mast and potentially led to it breaking.

However, he conceded that “this by itself is not enough to justify the sinking”. Investigators have so far not said whether the retractable keel had been used.

Palermo's Coast Guard Chief, Raffaele Macauda, said there was no specific ban for the ship to be anchored where it was struck by the storm, adding that weather bulletins at the time were not reporting a major storm alert for the area.

The yacht’s mammoth mast

Perini Navi, the Italian luxury yacht maker who built the Bayesian, said the vessel featured the world's tallest aluminium mast, measuring 72m.

American entrepreneur Scott Painter – who took over Mike Lynch's Autonomy brand – told MailOnline that he believes the Bayesian may have been more vulnerable to capsizing in bad weather because of the height of its mast.

He said: “That could certainly contribute to a capsize as it would destabilise the yacht. And if it were to lean over too far, it could absolutely capsize the yacht.”

Sam Jefferson, editor of Sailing Today, told The Telegraph: “She has a very tall, aluminium mast – I believe it is the second tallest aluminium mast in the world – and that would not have helped. Stability was obviously the problem in the extremely strong winds she was experiencing and I’d assume the boat was pinned on its side and could not right before it filled up with water.”

Watch: What could have happened to the Bayesian yacht?

Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht anchored nearby at the time of the storm, claims he saw the Bayesian’s mast “bend and then snap”. However, Ratt said an unusually tall mast is not by itself an element of vulnerability in a storm.

Initial reports suggested the mast had snapped, however a source told Corriere della Sera that divers found the mast in one piece.

Fire department diver Marco Tilotta said the wreck was intact and the mast was still attached. He added, that divers had not been able to inspect the full length of the mast but the section they had seen was undamaged.

Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, told the BBC that it was difficult to say whether the mast broke, saying it was “pure guesswork”. He pointed out that divers have said the vessel is “basically intact” and if the mast was broken, “that would be a significant thing that would be reported”.

Freak waterspout was caused by 'higher than usual temperatures'

Italian authorities have reported stormy conditions that caused the yacht to sink. It was initially believed the Bayesian may have been hit by a waterspout – a rotating column of wind that forms over a body of water and is often likened to a tornado.

According to the US National Ocean Service, tornadic weather spouts have the “same characteristics” as a land tornado and are often accompanied by severe thunderstorms, “high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning”.

But speaking at a news conference on Saturday, authorities said a "downburst" was more likely to be the cause (see more above).

Some climate experts have said the storm could have been caused by global warming. Luca Mercalli, president of Italy's meteorological society, said the sea surface temperature around Sicily in the days leading up to Bayesian’s sinking was about 30C – almost 3C more than normal. He told Reuters: “This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms.”

Borner, the captain of the boat moored nearby, also blamed more frequent episodes of intense heat during the summer months for playing a role in causing such storms.

‘A series of human errors’

The Bayesian was built in 2008 by Italian luxury yacht maker Perini Navi and was refitted twice – but reportedly not by Perini himself.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group TISGR.MI, which owns Perini, said the yacht was “one of the safest boats in the world” and basically unsinkable. He suggested that the sinking was down to a series of human errors – despite the storm being expected.

Speaking to Italian media, the CEO said that had the crew shut all doors and hatches, turned on the engine, lifted the anchor, lowered the keel and turned the yacht to face the wind, they would have suffered “zero damage”. He added that data showed it took 16 minutes from when the wind began buffeting the yacht, and it began taking on water, for it to sink.

Cartoisio said the tragedy will be even more painful if the investigation shows it was caused by "behaviours that were not aligned to the responsibilities that everyone needs to take in shipping".

He said that while the yacht had been hit by a sudden meteorological event, it was "plausible" that crimes of multiple manslaughter and causing a shipwreck through negligence had been committed.

But he added that the investigation so far is not focusing on any one individual.

Captain James Cutfield has been questioned, along with the other survivors. None of them have commented publicly on the sinking.

It has not been possible to carry out alcohol or drug tests on the survivors as they were in a state of shock and needed treatment for their injuries, officials said.

There is no legal obligation for any of the survivors to stay in Italy, but they are expected to cooperate with the investigation.

Will we ever know what happened to the Bayesian?

Experts are struggling to identify any single one cause, and are hesitant to make any conclusions, especially as the yacht was presumed to have top-class fittings and safety features. Another yacht anchored next to it remained afloat during the weather event.

Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, described the sinking as a potential “black swan event” – something that is unpredictable and is beyond what is normally expected from a situation and that has potentially severe consequences.

Nevertheless, he said he was confident the authorities would “get to the bottom” of what caused the vessel to sink, thanks to the accounts of survivors, witnesses and examination of the ship, which appears to have remained intact on the sea bed.

Who will lead the investigation?

Leading experts have already lent their knowledge of what could have caused the sinking of the Bayesian.

The official investigation into the disaster is being led by prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese.

Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor of Termini Imerese, will be heading up the investigation alongside the assistant prosecutors.

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also assisting with inquiries. Their investigation is likely to take months to complete.

Horror CCTV footage shows Bayesian yacht engulfed by storm before capsizing (Manchester Evening News)

Who is Mike Lynch? 'UK's Bill Gates' among those missing from Sicily yacht (Yahoo News)

Divers faced with desperate conditions in search for survivors on sunken superyacht Bayesian (The Independent)

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The Rolex Yacht-Master II Reference 116681

2007 was the year Rolex proved that it could only be taunted so much by detractors for the lack of complications in its lineup before it would come out swinging. It has long been the anti-Rolex league’s favorite go-to criticism, holding up the Swiss giant’s catalog of ruggedly simple, almost minimalist, three-hand watches and sneeringly comparing them to the overtly functional pieces from the likes of Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. Did Rolex lack the imagination to compete with the sky charts and moonphases of other watchmakers? Or was it the technical prowess it was missing? Rolex took it with its usual granite stoicism for decades, with the modesty of the Day-Date’s dual calendar or the Daytona’s chronograph seemingly as extravagant as it was prepared to go. Then, the iconic Swiss watch manufacturer released the Rolex Yacht-Master II series.

Vastly different from the original and less complex Yacht-Master, the Rolex Yacht Master II is a vibrant behemoth that contains one of the most technically impressive complications ever made. As a product, it could also serve as the dictionary definition of the word “niche.” Powered by a new caliber that required more than 35,000 hours to devise, the result was a watch that’s sole purpose was to help yacht skippers coordinate the starting procedure of a sailing regatta. The first models of the collection were available in either yellow or white gold. Then In 2011, the Yacht master II ref. 116681 appeared, which is a striking Rolesor variant that blends tough 904L stainless steel with precious 18k Everose gold. If you’re into big watches that make a bold statement on the wrist, then keep reading for everything you need to know about the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681

Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681

Yacht-Master II Reference 116681 Key Features:

• Reference Number: 116681
• Year of Introduction: 2011
• Case Size: 44mm
• Materials: Everose Rolesor (wo-tone stainless steel and Everose gold)
• Functions: Time w/ running seconds, regatta chronograph featuring a programmable countdown timer with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization
• Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers
• Hands: Straight or Mercedes
• Luminous Material: Chromalight
• Bezel: Ring Command Bezel; blue Cerachrom insert w/ 10-minute scale
• Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)
• Movement: Rolex Cal. 4161 (automatic w/ 72-hour power reserve)
• Water Resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
• Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet (two-tone stainless steel and Everose gold)
• Clasp: Oysterlock with 5mm Easylink extension
• Approx. Price (USD): $25,350 (Retail); $30,000 – $35,000 (Pre-Owned)

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

Everose Rolesor Yacht Master II Design

While the styles of the Yacht-Master II watches have split opinions and are a world away from the handsome elegance that has been the Rolex hallmark for over 100 years, this technical yet luxurious sports watch has won plenty of fans. Its concept and sheer audacity have also silenced many of the brand’s critics and Rolex has proved that, should it decide to mix it up in the world of complications, it can compete with the best of them.

As mentioned, the first two Rolex Yacht Master II models that debuted in 2007 were in yellow gold (ref. 116688) and white gold (ref. 116689, which was discontinued in 2022). Five years later, Rolex unveiled the Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 as the two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel variant. The combination of the two metals, the bright blue bezel (crafted from Rolex’s ceramic alloy, Cerachrom), and the flashy dial is certainly not the subtlest of Rolex watches, but somehow, the Yacht-Master II 116681 just works.

The Everose gold elements – on the bezel numerals, crown, pushers, snailing around the seconds sub-dial, and center links of the sporty Oyster bracelet – soften some of the brashness of the all-steel or yellow gold versions. As a variant, it’s a definite eye-catcher. It has retained its rather graceful proportions, especially for such a large piece and one that crams in so much functionality. The 44mm case (the biggest case size in the Rolex fleet that’s only shared by the Deepsea) affords a large surface area for the dial designers to play with. And it’s just as well. There is a lot of information displayed on the watch’s face, but the logical placement of each element gives it legible readability.

At the top is a horseshoe-shaped track numbered to ten. The starting gun in a regatta is preceded by a warning signal, often either five or ten minutes beforehand. It informs participants the countdown has begun, and the Yacht-Master II’s curved gauge is there to precisely time the flying start – the long dagger-like hand marks the countdown seconds while the small red arrow-tipped hand displays the countdown minutes.

However, the clever part comes should our yacht skipper need to reset the countdown for any reason. The watch is the first in the world to feature a mechanical memory with both flyback and fly-forward functionality, and it allows the regatta timer to reset to synchronize with the official race timer – either forwards or backwards to the nearest minute. Therefore, should the countdown have been triggered too early or too late, it’s a simple step to bring it back in line.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Dial Update

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Yacht-Master II, Rolex rolled out redesigned dials across the entire collection – including, of course, the Yacht-Master II ref. 116681. So what changed?

First, Rolex replaced the original straight hands with a Mercedes handset, which is much more common across the brand’s sports watches. Also, the hands of the Yacht Master II 116681 went from a dark blue to Everose gold – a nice touch to match the rest of the pink-toned details of the watch. Another dial update that occurred to bring the face of the Yacht-Master II more in line with Rolex’s other sports watches concerns the shape of the hour markers.

Earlier models featured square lume-filled indexes for each hour. However, after the 2017 dial redesign, Yacht-Master II watches now included an inverted triangle and a rectangle at 12 and 6, respectively. Naturally, since the Yacht-Master II 116681 is an Everose Rolesor edition, the hour markers feature Everose gold surrounds.

Yacht-Master II Ring Command Bezel and In-House Caliber

The key to the impressive functionality of the Rolex Yachtmaster II lies in the model’s most conspicuous component: the bright blue Cerachrom bezel with its oversized, pink golden numerals. More than simply being the watch’s border, the bezel is central to its overall operation.

Directly linked to the internal movement, the Ring Command Bezel, to give it its proper title, unlocks the programmable actions of the watch by rotating it counter-clockwise through 90 degrees. With the bezel activated, the crown can be used to set the countdown duration and the two pushers at the two and four o’clock positions start and stop the chronograph and work the flyback function. It sounds like a convoluted affair, but in reality, there is a beautifully designed intuitiveness to getting the most out of the Yacht-Master II.

The Rolex engineers have pared down the process as much as possible, while still retaining all the necessary performance. Underneath everything lies the movement. The original references were released with the Cal. 4160, a heavily reworked version of the Daytona’s Cal. 4130, complete with the vertical clutch that eliminates backlash on the chronograph seconds hand.

By 2013, Rolex had perfected the purpose-built Cal. 4161 specifically for the Yacht-Master II. At the time, it was the company’s most component-heavy movement to date, and the Caliber 4161 is constructed from 360 separate parts. As well as the improved accuracy and shock resistance provided by including Rolex’s proprietary Parachrom hairspring, the 31-jewel, high-beat movement also has a power reserve of 72 hours.

Over A Decade of the Rolex 116681 Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 has been a part of the brand’s catalog for over a decade now. Despite the movement update in 2013 to the Caliber 4131 and the dial update that occurred in 2017, Rolex has retained the same reference number since this two-tone variant’s release in 2011. And that’s quite curious given that Rolex has allocated new reference numbers to other watch models that have undergone much more subtle updates. Rolex truly works in mysterious ways!

It’s also interesting to note that in 2022, Rolex discontinued the white gold and platinum Yacht-Master II ref. 116689, which brings the Yacht-Master II lineup down from four references to only three. Perhaps the end of the Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 is near? Though we don’t wish for that to happen, it’s not uncommon for the modern-day Rolex to replace models after about a decade (or less) of production.

While the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681 has an undeniable heft and is ultra-luxurious, it can easily be worn all day. Its watertight Oyster case ensures it’s more than a match for the rigors of life on the ocean and its robust self-winding movement is top-notch. As a skipper’s watch, this Rolex Yacht-Master II is in a class all its own. But even if you don’t sail competitively and only ever use the watch’s innovative timing function in the kitchen (if at all,) the steel and Everose gold Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 is a head-turning luxury sports watch that’s unlike any other in Rolex’s lineup.

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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Staying on course

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 37 in Oystersteel and platinum with 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.

Exceptional legibility

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 37 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.

A legendary combination

Many Rolex watches are available with the now-legendary combination of yellow, white or Everose gold and steel known as Rolesor, but Rolesium is a creation specific to the Yacht-Master.

While the case and bracelet are in rugged Oystersteel, the bezel of the Rolesium versions is made of platinum, imparting a silvery whiteness and vibrant luminosity for an unmistakable sense of luxury.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex.

This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   268622

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Oyster, 37 mm, Oystersteel and platinum

Oyster architecture

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

Rolesium - combination of Oystersteel and platinum

Platinum bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated with raised numerals

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

2236, 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

Syloxi hairspring in silicon with patented geometry. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 55 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Oystersteel

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

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 37

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