Rolex Yacht-Master II

It's not very often that Rolex does something new.

Indeed, when most people think of a Rolex wristwatch, chances are they are picturing a Datejust, Submariner, GMT-Master, or Daytona. This simple name recognition and model association is part of why Rolex is as successful as they are, and why so many of their watches set the bar for iconography in timepieces. With that said, it makes their "oddball" pieces all the more intriguing!

Enter The Yacht-Master. Introduced in 1992, this was a spiffed up lite diver, and rumor has it — if you can even believe it — was originally intended to replace the Submariner all together. Of course, that did not happen. What we did get, however, was a sporting, more polished, higher-end lite diver, complete with a timing bezel, screw down crown, a sporting Oyster bracelet, sapphire crystal, and the build quality that the world had come to expect with any other Rolex.

The Yacht-Master line continues to expand until this day, now offering not just a wide selection of metals, but with another model that bears the Yacht-Master name: the Yacht-Master II — which is also one of Rolex’s most complicated watches.

Back in the 20th century, the brand made plenty of complicated pieces — full calendars, multiple chronographs, moon phases, and more. Not so anymore. These days, there are just a handful of these in the Crown’s oeuvre — but the Yacht-Master II is special. 

Released in 2010, it makes use of a unique ‘Ring Command’ bezel that allows the user to select between one and 10 minutes for timing. Designed for sailors crewing large boats during regattas, it’s a highly specialized piece, and one of the brand’s most interesting designs.

Housed in a 44mm stainless steel and Everose gold case with a sapphire crystal, a Triplock crown, dual barrel pushers, and a bi-directional bezel with a blue ceramic insert, it features a luminous, gloss white dial with applied indices, an inner countdown scale, a 'skeletonized-Mercedes’ handset, and a sub-seconds register above 6 o’clock.

Powered by the automatic, in-house Caliber 4161 from Rolex with a 72-hour power reserve, it comes paired to a matching, two-tone Oyster bracelet with a signed Fliplock clasp with Rolex's fantastic Easylink system.

You’d be hard pressed to find too many watches — contemporary or vintage — that include an entirely new complication. And even if you’re not timing race starts at the America’s Cup, the Yacht-Master II’s panache is enough to melt the heart of even the most grizzled collector.

Snag it before somebody else has the same idea!

Though much younger than many of its heavy-hitting horological cousins, Rolex has been at the fore of contemporary watch design virtually since its inception in 1905 by founder Hans Wilsdorf. A veritable marketing genius, Wilsdorf understood the power of story, associating his watches with the most notable and intrepid athletes, explorers, soldiers and politicians of the 20th century. His efforts were clearly successful: Today, the word “Rolex” is nearly synonymous in the minds of millions around the word with “watch.”

From the early waterproof Oyster case of the 1920s through to the ultra-complicated Sky Dweller of today, Rolex models and innovations have captivated a global audience and permeated the zeitgeist unlike those of any other brand. Whether it’s a simple, time-only Air King, a function-first Submariner or a complicated GMT Master II for the jet set, a Rolex commands a certain respect on the wrist and says something about the discerning eye of its owner.

From the swimming of the English channel in 1927 to the scaling of Mt. Everest in 1953, Rolex watches have been associated with adventure for the better part of a century. Despite its association since the 1970s more with luxury and status than with commando operations behind enemy lines or sporting achievements, Rolex still makes one of the most robust timepieces available on the contemporary market. And the company continues to support scientific endeavors around the world.

Interestingly, for most of the firm’s history, Rolex largely did not produce its components in-house, including its movements. (Indeed, hand-wound Daytonas sold today at auction for eye-watering prices feature run-of-the-mill Valjoux movements that feature in watches from hundreds of other brands). It wasn’t until the early 21st century that Rolex became the vertically integrated manufacturing behemoth that it is today, purchasing everything from movement manufacturers to bracelet companies. (Notably, the Crown even forges its own gold.)

Whether one is attracted to the rich history of the brand or simply finds its products notable from an investment perspective, Rolex is a company whose wares are guaranteed to remain a benchmark for horological quality forever.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.