Rolex Yacht-Master: What You Need to Know About the Luxury Sports Watch

Rolex watches all have a sense of prestige, but it is fair to say that many models have a foot in the camp of either luxury (gold models of the Datejust spring to mind) or sport (such as the purist sport intentions of the Submariner). However, it is fair to say that the Rolex Yacht-Master straddles both camps equally; it is a high-performance sports watch with a definite sense of luxury.

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    So, it’s a luxurious watch intended for sailing or racing yachts, which is a prestige sport in itself, and you can expect the following features of the various Rolex Yacht-Master references:

    • Variety: Some Rolex watches look very similar through the years, but the Yacht-Master has a very diverse range of customisations. Popular customisations include things like bracelets, clasps or bezel styles, but most importantly the Oyster case – this can vary from functional materials like stainless steel to luxurious gold or platinum.
    • Large sizes: Rolex watches have expanded greatly in size over the years, and as the Yacht-Master has been produced since just the early 1990s, you can expect most men’s references to be quite chunky on the wrist. The Yacht-Master needs sizable bezels, cases and dials to incorporate its sports features, so the size is not only aesthetic.
    • Timing bezels: Perhaps the most important sports function of the Yacht-Master is the bidirectional rotatable bezel, used for timing average lap speed, the distance between buoys and other important markers during a yacht race. The bezels are often quite big and have this distinctive design for visibility during the swells that occur during a race.

    Discover the Yacht-Master’s most important references and explore a little more about what makes them an exciting watch to buy, sell or collect. Although primarily designed for water sports and sailing, the Yacht-Master is a very popular men’s and ladies’ watch for many activities.
    If you are looking to sell a Rolex Yacht-Master then you will avoid all auction fees by using our private buying service; simply get in touch with us to book a free valuation today.

    Burlingtons Ltd have been buying and selling Rolex watches for over 20 years. Our experts are on hand to give you the best evaluation for your watch .

    More About Rolex Yacht-Master References

    The references we discuss here will concern the Rolex Yacht-Master, not the Rolex Yacht-Master II – an updated model released in 2007. People may wear Rolex Yacht-Master references as professional watches for water sports but they may equally use them as watches for more leisurely boating, to harness the spirit of the sailor.

    The following are some of the most unique, interesting or notable Rolex Yacht-Master references. We’ve also provided further information on what makes them great to wear, buy, sell or collect:

    Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 16622

    The Yacht-Master 16622 is a very interesting reference, as it combines platinum and stainless steel materials with the new official Rolex brand name ‘Rolesium’. If you are after a unique watch the 16622 is a fine option, as it is one of only a few Rolesium watches Rolex has ever produced.

    Wearers can expect a 40 mm steel case with a shimmering platinum bezel and dials. One nice thing about the 16622 is that although it uses opulent platinum materials, it is an understated watch with a silvery look. This makes it an excellent option for a subtle appearance, while remaining luxurious.


    Rolex Lady Yacht-Master ref. 169623

    This is a fantastic example of Rolex embracing demand from female sailors, which is perhaps due to sailing being equally popular among both men and women and carrying the same prestige in the Olympics and other games. The notable feature is its smaller 29 mm case size.

    The 169623 is a two-tone steel and yellow gold design, which is what Rolex calls ‘Rolesor’, and suits sporting ladies and those who prefer lounging on a yacht rather than sailing them. It has both white and blue dial varieties and many bracelet customisations, so it’s ripe for personal flair.


    Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 116622

    This is a newer version of the Rolesium 16622, part of the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 range. The main difference is in the bracelet and clasp, which is more robust and better suited for high-octane water sports. The 116622 is probably the best example of the quintessential Yacht-Master watch. 

    You can pull the crown out to stop the second hand and set the time very precisely, so the 116622 is ideal for a competitive edge on the water. But, of course, this watch also features the Rolesium platinum and stainless steel design, so it has sporting and luxurious credentials packed into one.


    Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 268655

    The 268655 is a fantastic unisex option for both men and women who sail, or those who like a luxurious style. The everose gold watch case is very warm and complements masculine and feminine qualities, but it is less sporty and more of a dress watch. The black dial suits all clothing.

    A key feature of the 268655 is its 37 mm case size, making it smaller than many Rolex Yacht-Master references while also being suitable for the wrists of most men and women.  This is all without the watch feeling too cumbersome. These unisex features also make the 268655 a good investment.

    Burlingtons Ltd have been buying and selling vintage Rolex watches for over 20 years. Our experts are on hand to give you the best evaluation for your watch.

    How to Buy a New or Used Rolex Yacht-Master Watch

    There are many references to choose from, but some have been discontinued since the Yacht-Master’s 1990’s debut. So, this means you may have to reach into the second-hand market if you have a particular model in mind. Whether buying used or new, Rolex Yacht-Master watches can be very expensive indeed, even by Rolex standards, thanks to their high-cost materials.

    You can take a look at the used watches in our current stock to check if there are any older Yacht-Masters available (they are very popular so sell fast), or take a stroll down to your local jewellers. If you are looking for a new Yacht-Master, which is the best option for customisation and fine details, go to an Official Rolex® Retailer – you can find one on the official Rolex website.

    How to Sell a Used Rolex Yacht-Master

    If you want to sell your Rolex Yacht-Master then you can use our private buying service. Our unique operation lets you avoid all those unnecessary auction fees, which can be substantial when you consider the price many Yacht-Masters command. It works in a series of easy steps:

    rolex-daytona

    Booking your valuation

    Once a time and date have been agreed, we will visit you at your place of residence to conduct a private valuation.

    Accepting our offer

    Once we have inspected your rolex watch, we will make you an offer.

    Receiving your payment

    You will receive your payment then and there through BACS as this is the fastest form of payment.

    • Book a valuation: Contact us to book a valuation, which will take place in the comfort and privacy of your home. We will arrange a convenient time to meet and attend quickly to conduct the valuation. We will take details on your watch before we book.
    • Accept our offer: We will appraise your Yacht-Master watch and then make a fair offer, based on the current price of gold, watch collectability, or other criteria. We are very confident that you will accept, but all of our offers are completely obligation-free.
    • Receive your payment: When you accept our offer, we will make an instant cash payment in full. All payments have no fees, commissions or any other deductions; the offer we make is what you receive. We do not leave until the money is in your account.

    We buy and sell many high-value items, so we will be happy to value your Yacht-Master watch or any of the other items that we buy at the same time. Our service operates on values such as honesty, friendliness and professionalism, so we are confident you will find us a refreshing way of selling.

    Our attitude has earned us many top reviews from clients, one happy person who says the following:


    “I have just sold my Rolex Submariner to Daniel. He gave me a very fair price and the transaction was flawless. He travelled over 90 miles to be with me and was spot on time too! A real honourable gentleman and I would not hesitate to deal with him again.”

    – Pelham Temple, London.


    You will find many more enthusiastic reviews on our homepage.

    Are you looking to sell your Rolex watch? Our offer will be higher than you can achieve at auction.

    Buying and Selling Rolex Yacht-Master Watches

    The Yacht-Master is an interesting modern variety of the Rolex brand, designed to be sporty and luxurious at the same time. You can find many references with lots of variations on the second-hand market, and new Yacht-Masters are among the most expensive Rolex watches.
    We appreciate the value and significance of the Rolex brand and are experienced in buying and selling many types of luxury watches, including Yacht-Masters. Sell for the highest price with no fees using our buying service or take a look at our current stock. You can also get in touch to learn more.