The latest Yacht-Master in a 40-millimetre case is set to be a favourite among sailors

What’s the only Rolex Oyster Professional model to be offered in three sizes? Obviously, we’re getting into the Yacht-Master here, which in 2015 also became the first Rolex to be offered with a rubber strap and a bi-directional rotating bezel sporting a matt black Cerachrom insert. Given that Rolex is the most deliberate and careful of all Swiss watchmakers, the fact that the Yacht-Master is a study in exceptions is very intriguing. This, of course, is the very opposite of how the watch presents itself because it looks indistinguishable from a Submariner or Sea-Dweller. Therein lies the answer because to the trained eye, the Submariner and Sea-Dweller are quite different, and so is the Yacht-Master a completely different watch. Everything is in the details.

The Yacht-Master was specifically designed for life aboard deck rather than a life of jumping off decks. The full yellow gold of the launch model in 1992 is perhaps indicative of this, but if performance is your metric of choice, then the water resistance rating of 100 metres is proof of this particular pudding. Sailing is a tough sport, so one would expect a tough watch that also makes allowances for the environment it was built for. For example, the case and lugs sport distinct curves where angular edges rule in other Oyster Professional watches. It is this softness, perhaps, that inspired Rolex to offer the watch in the aforementioned three sizes: 35 millimetres, 37 millimetres and 40 millimetres. That 35-millimetre version is offered today as a ladies model, while the 37-millimetre is a midsized unisex offering. Both these versions were released in 1994, just two years after the launch of the contemporary Yacht-Master.

The 40-millimetre rendition shown here, however, marks several departures for Rolex, including the Everose Rolesor (a combination of 904L steel and Everose gold) case and bracelet, developed and manufactured by Rolex, now with a chocolate dial and a bezel in Everose gold. Previously, the Yacht-Master had been distinguished by the use of platinum for the bi-directional rotating bezel, while steel ruled the rest of the case. It goes without saying that the steel and platinum standard (the so-called Rolesium) for this model remains in the collection.

Other similarities between the Yacht-Master and other Oyster Professional watches underscore the sporty nature of the watch, including its Superlative Chronometer status, the solid-link Oyster bracelet, the Cyclops lens and the large hour markers.

Specifications

Movement Self-winding Rolex Calibre 3135 with date
Power Reserve 48-hour
Case 40-millimetre Everose Rolesor
Water Resistance Up to 100 metres
Strap Everose Rolesor bracelet with Easylink clasp
Price Unavailable

This article was originally published in WOW.