The Rolex Yacht-Master is Rolex's yachting watch rather than its dive watch: a bidirectional-bezel timepiece introduced in 1992, built for a regatta start sequence rather than for depth, and offered across three case sizes and a wider mix of precious metal and platinum than any current Rolex sports model. Buying one well means choosing between the 37 mm, 40 mm and 42 mm cases, steel, gold, two-tone Rolesium and platinum construction, and the Oysterflex rubber strap or an Oyster bracelet. This guide covers the current references, the size and metal decisions, the bezel and bracelet options, how the Yacht-Master wears, dated dealer prices in 2026 and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the Yacht-Master to order; the Yacht-Master collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 26, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Yacht-Master current references
| Reference | Size | Case metal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126622, 126621 | 40 mm | Rolesium (steel and platinum) or steel and Everose gold | Oyster bracelet; the core steel-adjacent Yacht-Master |
| 226659 | 42 mm | White gold | Oysterflex bracelet; the largest current Yacht-Master |
| 126655 | 40 mm | Everose gold | Oysterflex bracelet |
| Yacht-Master II, 116680 family | 44 mm | Steel, two-tone or gold | Discontinued regatta chronograph with a programmable countdown bezel |
Sources: the Rolex Yacht-Master collection page lists current references, and Rolex watch care and service sets out service intervals.
What is the Yacht-Master for?
Unlike the Submariner or Sea-Dweller, the Yacht-Master was never built primarily to dive; its bidirectional bezel is graduated in five-minute intervals to time the pre-start sequence of a sailing race, where competitors circle before a countdown rather than descending underwater. Water resistance reflects that brief at 100 m for the three-hand models, adequate for being on or near water but well short of a dedicated dive watch's rating. The more complex Yacht-Master II, discontinued but still found pre-owned, went further with a mechanical countdown function called Ring Command that could be programmed to a specific start time, a genuinely unusual complication Rolex has not replaced since the model's discontinuation.
37, 40 or 42 mm: which size?
The Yacht-Master range spans a women's-oriented 37 mm on some older references, a 40 mm core size that has anchored the range since the 2010s, and a 42 mm case reserved for the white gold Oysterflex model. The 40 mm is the size most buyers choose today and the one with the widest metal choice; the 42 mm suits larger wrists and comes only in white gold, making it the most expensive route into the model. There is no current steel-only Yacht-Master at 42 mm. Trying the Oysterflex strap against the Oyster bracelet is worth doing before choosing a size, since the rubber strap changes the character of the watch more than the case dimensions do.
Rolesium, gold or platinum: which metal?
- Rolesium (steel and platinum). Rolex's own term for pairing a steel case with a solid platinum bezel; it is the closest the Yacht-Master gets to a steel sports watch and the most accessible entry point.
- Steel and Everose gold. A two-tone option that pairs the steel case with Rolex's proprietary pink gold alloy on the bezel and centre bracelet links.
- Full Everose or white gold. The 40 mm and 42 mm Oysterflex models, worn on a rubber strap with a titanium and elastomer core rather than a metal bracelet, are Rolex's dressier, lighter-weight sports watch format.
The platinum bezel, whichever case metal surrounds it, is a genuine engineering choice rather than decoration: platinum's density makes it easier to machine a crisp, deep engraving for the five-minute graduations than steel allows, which is why Rolex reserves it for this model and the Sky-Dweller's Ring Command bezel rather than using it more broadly.
Oyster bracelet or Oysterflex strap?
The Oyster bracelet, in matching Rolesium or two-tone finish, is the more formal and more traditionally "Rolex sports watch" choice, and it is the only bracelet option on the 126622 and 126621. The Oysterflex, standard on the Everose and white gold Oysterflex models, is a black elastomer strap with a titanium blade core and a metal Oysterlock clasp; it is noticeably lighter on the wrist than a metal bracelet and, being black, contrasts sharply with a gold case, which is part of the design intent rather than a compromise. Oysterflex straps require less maintenance than a bracelet against stretch but should be checked periodically for the elastomer drying out at the edges.
How does the Yacht-Master wear?
The 40 mm Rolesium model wears close to the Submariner in footprint but noticeably lighter, since the bezel insert is platinum rather than steel or ceramic and the case has slightly slimmer proportions than a professional dive watch. The Oysterflex models wear lighter still because the strap itself weighs far less than a metal bracelet, an unusual trait among gold Rolex sports watches. All current three-hand Yacht-Masters share the calibre 3235 with 70 hours of power reserve; the discontinued Yacht-Master II's countdown chronograph is a heavier, more complex watch on the wrist by comparison, reflecting its additional bezel mechanism.
How much is a Rolex Yacht-Master? Dealer prices in 2026
| Configuration | Bizak catalogue ask, 26 Sep 2026, sourced to order |
|---|---|
| 116622-1, 40 mm, steel and platinum, Rolesium | US$12,652 |
| 116621BLK, 40 mm, steel and Everose gold | US$15,809 |
| 126621B, 40 mm, steel and Everose gold, current case | US$17,078 |
| 126655, 40 mm, full Everose gold, Oysterflex | US$36,934 |
| 226659, 42 mm, full white gold, Oysterflex | US$39,285 |
At retail, Rolex's US list price for the Rolesium Yacht-Master has sat in the low-to-mid US$13,000s in recent years, with the two-tone Everose model above it and the full-gold Oysterflex models well above that; the current figures are on the Rolex collection page linked above. Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact reference and configuration; our Rolex price guide explains how to compare quotes.
Is the Yacht-Master a good alternative to the Submariner?
It is a genuine alternative for buyers who want a Rolex sports watch that reads differently from the Submariner and GMT-Master II, both of which are far more widely recognised and, generally, harder to secure at retail. The Yacht-Master's platinum bezel and, on the Oysterflex models, its lighter weight and dressier gold cases give it a distinct identity rather than positioning it as a discount Submariner. Allocation at authorised dealers is generally less contested than for Rolex's core dive and GMT watches, which makes it a realistic new purchase for buyers who want a genuine Rolex sports watch without an extended wait.
Buying a used Yacht-Master: what to check
- Warranty card. Card serial and rehaut engraving should match on watches from 2007 onward; Rolex does not reissue cards.
- Platinum bezel. The engraved graduations should be crisp and unpolished; platinum is soft and shows wear differently from a ceramic Cerachrom bezel.
- Oysterflex condition. Flex the strap and check the elastomer at the lug ends for cracking or stiffness, which indicates age or sun exposure.
- Bracelet stretch. On Oyster-bracelet models, hold the watch by the clasp and check for sag at the links.
- Case and bezel edges. Sharp lug chamfers and even brushing; rounded edges mean the case has been polished.
- Movement and service. Ask for the last service receipt; budget for a service if there is no record.
- Price against the band. A full-set Yacht-Master offered well under the market is the single most reliable warning sign.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
How much is a Rolex Yacht-Master?
On 26 September 2026 Bizak's sourced catalogue listed Yacht-Masters from US$12,652 for a 40 mm Rolesium 116622-1 to US$39,285 for a 42 mm full white gold Oysterflex 226659, all sourced to order.
Is the Yacht-Master a dive watch?
No. It is water resistant to 100 m and built for timing a sailing race start, not for diving; its bidirectional bezel is graduated in five-minute intervals rather than the one-minute markings of a dive bezel.
What is Rolesium?
Rolex's term for a case in Oystersteel paired with a bezel in solid platinum, used on the core Yacht-Master models. It is not a separate alloy, simply the branded name for that steel-and-platinum combination.
What is Oysterflex?
A black rubber-like strap with a titanium blade core, used on the gold Yacht-Master models in place of a metal bracelet, designed to be lighter on the wrist and to contrast with a gold case.
Is the Yacht-Master II still made?
No. The Yacht-Master II, with its programmable Ring Command countdown bezel, has been discontinued and is available only pre-owned; current production is limited to the three-hand Yacht-Master.
Request a Yacht-Master sourcing quote
Tell us the size, metal, strap or bracelet preference, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, card and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: Yacht-Master 40 116622-1 Rolesium, Yacht-Master 40 126621B, Yacht-Master 40 126655 Everose, Yacht-Master 42 226659 white gold; browse the Yacht-Master collection, or sell or trade your Yacht-Master.
Related reading: Rolex price guide · Best first Rolex guide · Submariner 126610LN guide · Watch nicknames explained.
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