The Diverse Rolex Yacht-Master Collection

The Yacht-Master is not typically the first model one thinks of when contemplating Rolex sports watches; however, given the variety within the collection, it’s surprising to me that it’s often overlooked. Not only does the Yacht-Master feature many of the brand’s signature design traits (such as the waterproof case, Mercedes-style hands, the date window magnified by the Cyclops lens, and automatic movement) but there are also plenty of options to find one that fits – both practically and aesthetically. Let’s dig into the lineup and outline all the options the diverse Rolex Yacht-Master collection has to offer. 

Yacht-Master Sizes

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In terms of Rolex sizes, the Yacht-Master is the most diverse among all the company’s sports watches. In the current collection, there are three case sizes to choose from: 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm. Plus, if you want something even more petite, there are also discontinued Yacht-Master watches with 35mm and 29mm sizes.

No other Rolex sports watch comes close to offering these many size options; this type of variety is something we normally see within the Datejust or Oyster Perpetual collections. 

Yacht-Master Materials

Whether you prefer casual white metals or warm precious metals, chances are, the Yacht-Master collection has it. Yacht-Master cases are currently offered in stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, Everose gold, titanium, and a combination of steel and Everose gold (a.k.a. Everose Rolesor, pictured above, right).

What’s more, depending on the specific reference, Yacht-Master bezels, which are bidirectional and include a 60-minute scale, are made in platinum, Everose gold, or black ceramic. Platinum bezels (pictured above, left) are exclusive to stainless steel cases, a combination that Rolex calls Rolesium. Also, we can’t forget the gem-set Yacht-Master watches with precious stones set into the bezel.  

Yacht-Master Bracelets

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For most of its history, the Yacht-Master has been paired with the famed three-link Oyster bracelet. However, in 2015, the company chose the Yacht-Master to debut a brand new Rolex band – the Oysterflex bracelet. To the untrained eye, the Oysterflex may look like a simple rubber strap, yet, there’s a metal blade inside, which is why Rolex insists on calling it a bracelet. 

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Today, gold Yacht-Master watches, whether yellow, white, or Everose, are paired with rubber Oysterflex bracelets. Conversely, Rolesium, Everose Rolesor, and titanium Yacht-Master models are fitted with three-link Oyster bracelets that match their cases. While these are all good-looking models, I would love to see the return of the full yellow gold Rolex Yacht-Master as it was originally designed in the nineties. 

Yacht-Master Dials

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Although the majority of current-production Yacht-Master watches come fitted with black dials, Rolex does offer a few dial color options with select models. For example, Rolesium Yacht-Master watches can come furnished with slate or blue dials while Everose Rolesor ones offer the option of a chocolate brown dial. Furthermore, Rolex also provides the choice of a full diamond-paved dial for the Everose gold Yacht-Master models. 

As expected, there are even more dial choices within discontinued Yacht-Master models including champagne, white, and even mother-of-pearl dials with diamond, ruby, and sapphire hour markers. However, one of the most popular dial options found on older Yacht-Master models is the platinum one, which matches the platinum bezel it’s coupled with flawlessly. 

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As you can see, the Yacht-Master collection is an impressively diverse one. It’s also interesting to note that Rolex likes to experiment with the Yacht-Master, using it to showcase new features such as the Oysterflex bracelet, matte black ceramic bezel inserts, and RLX titanium, not to mention a never-before-seen size in the form of the 37mm YM. I have a feeling that Rolex is far from finished with adding new options to the Yacht-Master collection; we’ll probably see a handful of notable updates over the next few years – my money is the addition of white gold and yellow gold references joining the midsize collection to accompany the Everose gold model.