History of the Rolex Yacht-Master

The Rolex Yacht-Master is a relatively young model and many believe the Yacht-Master began in 1992 with the introduction of the first 16628. Yacht-Master However, yachting is one of the sports which Rolex has supported through sponsorship for decades (since 1958), and first debuted a “sailor’s watch” in 1965 when a small number of 6239 Cosmograph chronographs were fitted with a special dial which read “Rolex Cosmograph Yacht-Master”. This model was never produced on a large scale however.

It would not be until 2007 with the introduction of the Yacht-Master II that we would see Rolex produce another chronograph Yacht-Master with functions specifically designed for Yacht racing. The Yacht-Master variants produced beginning in 1992 were largely consider dressier, more refined versions of the Submariner but unique in that the Yacht-Master models are offered in full-size (40mm), mid-size (35mm), and ladies model size (29mm) – one of only a few Rolex models to be offered in such size variations.

Rolex Yacht-Master Milestones