Rolex Yacht-Master II
Taming the race of time

Rolex is unveiling the new-generation Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II. Available in Oystersteel or in 18 ct yellow gold, the new version of this unique regatta chronograph presents a completely revisited design and movement.

The display of the various functions and the operation of the countdown have been redesigned for enhanced legibility and easier manipulation. The countdown scale now appears on a flange on the dial, and the function is programmed and operated exclusively via the two side pushers. The watch's nautical character is emphasized through many carefully considered visual details that assert its place in the Yacht-Master range. The new Yacht-Master II impresses just as much as the original model did at its launch.

The display has been designed to ensure clear readability of the various functions. The dial is coated with a new matt white lacquer that reduces reflections and features the applied hour markers of the Professional category watches. A flange, dedicated to the countdown function, is positioned on the dial with extreme precision, a feature that has given rise to a patent filing. It is graduated from 10 to 0 minutes and the half-minutes are indicated in the form of triangles.

The Yacht-Master II, available in Oystersteel or 18 ct yellow gold, features a bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in blue ceramic. The machining of the high-technology ceramic used by Rolex, which is particularly hard and virtually scratchproof, requires the use of special tools. Its colours remain unaffected by ultraviolet rays and, thanks to its chemical composition, this ceramic is inert and cannot corrode.

On this blue Cerachrom insert, the recessed graduations and numerals are coloured by depositing platinum or yellow gold using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) technique. The first half-hour of the graduation is detailed minute by minute. The bezel in the neutral position offers a clearer reading of the last 30 seconds of the countdown, indicated by the central chronograph seconds hand. The graduated bezel, whose knurled edge provides an excellent grip, also enables the wearer to read a time interval, for example, the sailing time between two buoys.

The Yacht-Master II is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed in the late 1930s, this three-piece link metal bracelet with broad, slightly curved links is distinguished by its robustness. The Oyster bracelet of the Yacht-Master II in Oystersteel or 18 ct yellow gold is fitted with a slimmer Oysterlock safety clasp. This folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening, features the Rolex-developed Easylink rapid extension link, allowing the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. In the 18 ct yellow gold version, the Oyster bracelet integrates Rolex-designed and patented ceramic inserts inside its links, improving its suppleness on the wrist and its longevity.

Unveiled in 2026 and exclusive to the Yacht-Master II, calibre 4162 is a chronograph movement with a countdown function entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The new-generation Yacht-Master II houses calibre 4162, an evolution of calibre 4161 fitted in its predecessor. This self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

The countdown function is engaged by a robust mechanism with a column wheel and vertical clutch, enabling an instantaneous and extremely precise start. Calibre 4162 also incorporates some of the key innovations that Rolex has brought to its movements, including the Chronergy escapement. Thanks to the architecture of the barrel and the superior efficiency of its escapement, it boasts a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Calibre 4162 displays a refined aesthetic, particularly in its bridges decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève, and an openworked oscillating weight.

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This exclusive designation attests to the outstanding performance of the watch on the wrist. This in-house certification is rigorously controlled by independent, internationally recognized Swiss entities.

In 2026, the Superlative Chronometer certification has been strengthened with the addition of three new assessment criteria: resistance to magnetic fields, reliability and longevity, monitored throughout all the design and production phases of each individual watch. These amount to hundreds of checks and validations that directly contribute to the performance of the timepiece. The new criteria complement those established when the certification was redefined in 2015, namely precision, waterproofness, self-winding and power reserve. It was in that year that Rolex set up an exclusive testing protocol for the finished watch, conducted in-house on fully automated systems. Assessed after the movement has been cased, the precision criteria are particularly stringent. Accuracy must fall within a deviation of –2 to +2 seconds per day. The rate tolerance set by the brand for a finished watch is far stricter than that permitted for the official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that accompanies every Rolex watch, together with an international five-year guarantee.