Rolex Yacht-Master Buying Guide 2026: All References, Sizes & Prices (Including the New YM II)

The Rolex Yacht-Master is the brand’s most versatile luxury sport watch — a collection that spans from the accessible Rolesium steel-and-platinum 40mm at under $14,000 to the landmark new Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph, relaunched at Watches & Wonders 2026 with a completely redesigned movement and counterclockwise countdown display. Whether you want understated platinum-edged elegance, a lightweight technical titanium case, or a serious sailing instrument, the Yacht-Master collection has a reference for you — and 2026 is the most exciting year to buy one in nearly a decade.

Prices and specifications as at July 2026. Always verify with authorised dealers.

TL;DR — Yacht-Master at a Glance

Collection spans 37mm, 40mm, 42mm, and new 44mm Yacht-Master II
Entry point: YM 40 Rolesium 126622 — ~$13,200
Best all-rounder: YM 42 RLX Titanium 226627 — ~$16,050
New in 2026: YM II Steel 126680 — $20,300; YM II Gold 126688 — $57,800
All models water resistant to 100m; gold variants house Calibre 3235 (70h power reserve)

In This Guide:

What Is the Rolex Yacht-Master?
A Brief History (1992–2026)
Yacht-Master 37mm Models
Yacht-Master 40mm Models
Yacht-Master 42mm Models
NEW: Yacht-Master II 2026 (Ref. 126680 & 126688)
Full Specs Comparison Table
Movements Inside the Yacht-Master
Yacht-Master vs Submariner
2026 Price Guide
Final Verdict
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Rolex Yacht-Master?

The Yacht-Master occupies a distinctive position in the Rolex lineup: a professional watch designed for the deck of a sailing yacht — water resistant to 100 metres, fitted with a bidirectional rotating bezel for timing manoeuvres — but offered exclusively in precious metals and premium material combinations that anchor it firmly in luxury sport rather than pure tool-watch territory. Where the Submariner is built to dive and the GMT-Master II is built to navigate time zones, the Yacht-Master is built for those who live at the intersection of nautical passion and fine watchmaking.

The watch’s physical language is immediately recognisable: the bidirectional bezel with its raised pip at 12 o’clock for countdown reference, the fluted knurling that distinguishes it from the Submariner’s more austere profile, and the slightly cushion-shaped lugs that lend it a more sculpted presence on the wrist. All models share 100-metre water resistance and Rolex’s Triplock crown protection system. None of this is accidental — Rolex spent the 1990s refining the Yacht-Master into a professional watch that also happened to be a jewellery object.

A Brief History (1992–2026)

Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992 as Reference 16628 — a 40mm watch in 18-karat yellow gold, powered by the Calibre 3135. The timing was deliberate: Rolex had been a title sponsor of major offshore sailing events since the 1950s and wanted a watch that embodied their nautical connection without abandoning professional watch credentials. The original 16628 was essentially a luxury Submariner — the same core architecture, in gold rather than steel, for the skipper who had arrived.

A two-tone Rolesor version followed in 1994, and the steel-and-platinum Rolesium configuration arrived in 1999 — the combination that remains the collection’s most accessible entry point today. The Yacht-Master II launched in 2007 as a dedicated regatta chronograph with Rolex’s patented Ring Command countdown system. It was updated in 2017 and quietly discontinued in 2024, before Rolex announced a complete reinvention at Watches & Wonders 2026: dropping the Ring Command system and introducing the new Calibre 4162 with a counterclockwise countdown display and the first-ever Oystersteel Yacht-Master II.

Yacht-Master 37mm Models

The 37mm Yacht-Master uses Rolex’s Calibre 2236, which incorporates a silicon Syloxi hairspring for excellent magnetic resistance and delivers a 55-hour power reserve. The smaller case broadens the collection’s appeal to buyers who prefer a more compact, classically proportioned sport watch.

Ref. 268622 — Rolesium (Oystersteel + Platinum Bezel)

The 37mm Rolesium pairs an Oystersteel case with a solid platinum bidirectional rotating bezel and jubilee bracelet. The slate or rhodium dial, platinum bezel, and polished jubilee create a quietly refined combination — sporty enough for casual wear, considered enough for business casual. Retail: approximately $12,500 USD.

Ref. 268655 — 18-Karat White Gold

The 37mm in white gold features an Oysterflex bracelet — Rolex’s high-performance rubber bracelet with a flexible metal spine that combines the comfort of rubber with a luxurious wearing experience. White lacquer and gem-set dial options are available. Retail: approximately $22,000 USD.

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Rolesium (ref. 126622) — Oystersteel with solid platinum bidirectional bezel and jubilee bracelet. Photo: Rolex

Yacht-Master 40mm Models

The 40mm Yacht-Master runs on the Calibre 3235 — Rolex’s main-line automatic with a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement (15% more energy-efficient than a conventional Swiss lever escapement), and Parachrom hairspring for superior magnetic and shock resistance. The 40mm fits most wrist sizes and remains the heart of the Yacht-Master range.

Ref. 126622 — Rolesium (Oystersteel + Platinum Bezel)

The 126622 is the Yacht-Master most buyers encounter first: Oystersteel case, jubilee bracelet, and a bidirectional rotating bezel in solid platinum with a matt satin-brushed surface and polished borders. The slate dial is the most popular configuration. The platinum bezel is one of the most tactilely satisfying details on any Rolex at this price — heavier and more lustrous than ceramic, and immediately communicating material quality to anyone who handles it. Retail: approximately $13,200 USD. A quality watch roll protects the jubilee’s polished centre links between wears — well-reviewed options on Amazon.

Ref. 126621 — Everose Rolesor (Steel + Everose Gold Bezel)

The 126621 combines an Oystersteel case with an 18k Everose gold bidirectional bezel and Oysterflex bracelet — a warm, sporty combination that wears particularly well with a chocolate or dust rose dial. Everose is Rolex’s proprietary rose gold alloy with added platinum content, which Rolex claims stabilises the colour against fading over time. Retail: approximately $19,750 USD.

Ref. 126655 — 18-Karat White Gold

The all-white-gold 40mm with Oysterflex bracelet is the 40mm Yacht-Master’s most formal configuration — equally at home at a sailing prizegiving and a business dinner. Available with gem-set dials. Retail: approximately $28,700 USD.

Yacht-Master 42mm Models

Introduced in 2019, the Yacht-Master 42 gives buyers who want more wrist presence a genuinely different proposition — particularly the RLX titanium variant, which stands apart from every other watch in the current Rolex catalogue. All 42mm models use Calibre 3235.

Ref. 226627 — RLX Titanium

The 226627 is the most technically interesting Yacht-Master in the current collection. Rolex’s proprietary RLX titanium alloy — developed in-house and grade-5 equivalent — is approximately 30% lighter than Oystersteel while matching it for scratch and corrosion resistance. The bidirectional bezel insert is Cerachrom black ceramic. The watch arrives on a three-link titanium Oyster bracelet. For buyers who find the Rolesium too understated and gold too formal, the titanium 42mm is frequently the answer: technical, distinctly modern, and different enough from the Submariner to justify its place in a collection. Retail: approximately $16,050 USD.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium (ref. 226627) — 30% lighter than steel, with Cerachrom black bezel and titanium Oyster bracelet. Photo: Rolex

Ref. 226659 — 18-Karat White Gold

The 42mm in white gold on an Oysterflex bracelet is the collection’s most assertive configuration — a large-case precious-metal sport watch that makes no concessions to understatement. Available with gem-set options. Retail: approximately $40,000 USD.

Ref. 226658 — 18-Karat Yellow Gold

Warm, bold, and unapologetically luxurious, the yellow gold 42mm is the closest current Yacht-Master to the spirit of the original 1992 reference 16628. Retail: approximately $38,100 USD.

NEW: Yacht-Master II 2026 (Ref. 126680 & 126688)

The Yacht-Master II’s return at Watches & Wonders 2026 was one of the year’s genuine surprises. After being discontinued in 2024, Rolex relaunched the regatta chronograph in completely redesigned form — a new movement, a new countdown interface, and the first time the Yacht-Master II has been offered in plain Oystersteel.

What Changed from the Previous Generation

The previous Yacht-Master II used Rolex’s Ring Command system: a bezel that mechanically coupled to the movement to set the countdown timer. The 2026 generation abandons Ring Command in favour of a conventional two-pusher layout: the lower pusher programs the countdown duration (5, 7, or 10 minutes ahead of a starting gun), while the upper pusher starts and stops timing. The interface is considerably more intuitive.

The more significant change is directional: the countdown now runs counterclockwise. The red-tipped minutes hand and red seconds hand sweep backwards toward zero, so remaining time reads intuitively as hands approaching zero — not advancing away from it. The new movement is the Calibre 4162: column wheel, vertical clutch, Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, programmable countdown with on-the-fly synchronisation, and 72 hours of power reserve. Superlative Chronometer certified at ±2 seconds per day.

Ref. 126680 — Oystersteel, 44mm ($20,300)

The steel Yacht-Master II is entirely new to the lineage — the previous generation was never offered in plain Oystersteel. The 44mm case wears well on the Oyster bracelet with brushed outer links and polished centre links. The white lacquer dial reads cleanly against the blue Cerachrom 60-minute bezel. At $20,300, this is the most accessible regatta chronograph Rolex has ever produced.

Ref. 126688 — 18-Karat Yellow Gold, 44mm ($57,800)

The gold Yacht-Master II follows the steel version’s dial and bezel design language in 18k yellow gold — for collectors who want the new regatta instrument in the material that defined the original 1992 Yacht-Master.

Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 126680 in Oystersteel — the 2026 relaunch with Calibre 4162 and counterclockwise countdown. Photo: Rolex

Full Specs Comparison Table

Reference	Case	Material	Bezel	Bracelet	Movement	Power Reserve	Retail (USD)
268622	37mm	Oystersteel	Platinum	Jubilee	Cal. 2236	55h	~$12,500
268655	37mm	White Gold	White Gold	Oysterflex	Cal. 2236	55h	~$22,000
126622	40mm	Oystersteel	Platinum	Jubilee	Cal. 3235	70h	~$13,200
126621	40mm	Steel/Everose	Everose Gold	Oysterflex	Cal. 3235	70h	~$19,750
126655	40mm	White Gold	White Gold	Oysterflex	Cal. 3235	70h	~$28,700
226627	42mm	RLX Titanium	Cerachrom Black	Titanium Oyster	Cal. 3235	70h	~$16,050
226659	42mm	White Gold	White Gold	Oysterflex	Cal. 3235	70h	~$40,000
226658	42mm	Yellow Gold	Yellow Gold	Oysterflex	Cal. 3235	70h	~$38,100
126680 (NEW)	44mm	Oystersteel	Cerachrom Blue	Oyster	Cal. 4162	72h	$20,300
126688 (NEW)	44mm	Yellow Gold	Yellow Gold	Oyster	Cal. 4162	72h	$57,800

Approximate 2026 authorised dealer retail prices in USD. Rolex implemented a ~7% average price increase in January 2026. Always verify with your local Rolex AD.

Movements Inside the Yacht-Master

Calibre 2236 (37mm models): A micro-rotor automatic with a silicon Syloxi hairspring providing exceptional magnetic resistance. 55-hour power reserve. Superlative Chronometer certified to ±2 seconds per day.

Calibre 3235 (40mm and 42mm models): Rolex’s main-line automatic. 70 hours of power reserve; Chronergy escapement 15% more efficient than a conventional Swiss lever; Parachrom hairspring for anti-magnetic and shock-resistance properties. Regulated to ±2 seconds per day. For collectors who rotate between multiple watches, a quality watch winder keeps the Cal. 3235 regulated and ready — see highly rated options on Amazon.

Calibre 4162 (Yacht-Master II, 2026): The new regatta movement. Column wheel, vertical clutch, programmable countdown with on-the-fly synchronisation, 72 hours of power reserve. Superlative Chronometer certified.

Yacht-Master vs Submariner: Which to Choose?

Both watches share Rolex’s professional sport DNA, but they serve different buyers. The Submariner starts at ~$10,200 for the no-date ref. 124060 in Oystersteel, with 300 metres of water resistance and a unidirectional bezel for dive timing. The Yacht-Master offers a bidirectional bezel, premium material combinations unavailable in the Submariner, and a more luxurious character overall.

Choose the Submariner if you want the most universally recognised Rolex sport watch, prefer Oystersteel at the most accessible price, or need 300m water resistance for diving. See our Rolex Submariner Buying Guide 2026 for the full breakdown.

Choose the Yacht-Master if you want the Submariner’s silhouette in more refined materials (platinum bezel, Everose gold, RLX titanium), you rotate between formal and casual settings and want a sport watch with more dressed-up credentials, or the new Yacht-Master II’s regatta function genuinely appeals. The Yacht-Master is also considerably more available at authorised dealers than the Submariner — you are unlikely to spend years on a waitlist.

2026 Price Guide & Where to Buy

Rolex implemented an average 7% price increase across the collection in January 2026 — steel models rose approximately 5.6% and gold models approximately 9%. For secondary market purchases, Bob’s Watches, Chrono24, and WatchBox are reputable sources with authenticated stock. The new Yacht-Master II 126680 in steel, being a newly launched reference in high demand, may trade at a modest premium on the grey market in the short term. For serious collectors, a reference guide to Rolex sports watches is a worthwhile companion to ownership — see collector editions on Amazon.

Final Verdict

The Rolex Yacht-Master in 2026 is more compelling than it has been in years. The collection’s three-size range already delivered the most material variety of any current Rolex — steel-and-platinum Rolesium, two-tone Rolesor, RLX titanium, white gold, yellow gold — and the return of the Yacht-Master II in steel at $20,300 adds a genuine purpose-built regatta chronograph to the lineup for the first time in a format most buyers can actually access.

For most buyers, the 40mm Rolesium (126622) at ~$13,200 remains the correct first Yacht-Master: it delivers the collection’s full design language in a universal size, the platinum bezel is a genuine luxury detail at a fair price, and it holds its own identity apart from the Submariner. The 42mm RLX Titanium (226627) is the choice for buyers who want something technically distinctive — lighter, darker, and more purposeful than anything else in the Rolex catalogue at its price point. And the new Yacht-Master II 126680 is simply one of the most interesting watches Rolex has released in years: a serious regatta instrument in steel at a price that puts it within reach of buyers who have been waiting for a purposeful Rolex chronograph without the Daytona’s scarcity premium.

Recent Articles

What is the difference between the Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II?

The Yacht-Master is a luxury sport watch with a bidirectional rotating bezel and 100m water resistance — a refined on-deck companion for sailing available in 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm. The Yacht-Master II (44mm) is a dedicated regatta chronograph with a programmable countdown timer for 5, 7, or 10 minutes ahead of a starting gun. The 2026 Yacht-Master II (ref. 126680 and 126688) uses the new Calibre 4162 with a counterclockwise countdown display and simplified pusher controls, replacing the previous generation’s Ring Command system.

Is the Rolex Yacht-Master a good investment?

The Yacht-Master holds its value well but has historically appreciated less aggressively than the Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master II on the secondary market — partly because it is more available at authorised dealers. Gold models carry intrinsic material value that provides a floor. The new Yacht-Master II 126680 in Oystersteel may attract a short-term secondary market premium as a new, desirable reference. For buyers primarily seeking investment returns, the Rolex Daytona and Submariner Date have stronger historical track records.

What is Rolesium in the Rolex Yacht-Master?

Rolesium is Rolex’s name for the combination of Oystersteel (grade-904L stainless steel) and platinum used in the Yacht-Master. Specifically, the bidirectional rotating bezel in Rolesium models is crafted entirely from solid platinum — heavier, softer, and rarer than steel, with a warm grey lustre. The Rolesium Yacht-Master (ref. 126622 in 40mm, ref. 268622 in 37mm) is the collection’s entry point and most wear-versatile configuration.

Which Yacht-Master size should I buy — 37mm, 40mm, or 42mm?

For most buyers, the 40mm is the natural choice — it fits wrists from 6 to 7.5 inches (15–19cm) and offers the full depth of material options. The 37mm suits buyers who prefer a more compact watch or wear dress watches more often than sport watches; it wears closer to a 39mm Datejust than a 40mm Submariner. The 42mm is for buyers who want maximum wrist presence or are specifically drawn to the RLX titanium configuration. When in doubt, try each size in person — the difference between 40mm and 42mm is more pronounced on the wrist than in photographs.

Is the Rolex Yacht-Master water resistant enough for swimming?

Yes. The Yacht-Master is water resistant to 100 metres — fully sufficient for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports. The Triplock crown-locking system and Oystercase construction make it capable of handling pool use, sailing in rain and spray, and casual water immersion. It is not designed for scuba diving (which requires a minimum 200m ISO 6425 rating). For serious diving, the Rolex Submariner (300m) or Sea-Dweller (1,220m) are the correct choices.

What is RLX Titanium in the Rolex Yacht-Master 42?

RLX Titanium is Rolex’s proprietary grade-5 titanium alloy, developed in-house for watchmaking. It is approximately 30% lighter than Oystersteel while matching it for scratch and corrosion resistance. The Yacht-Master 42 (ref. 226627) is the only current standard Rolex catalogue model offered in titanium, giving it a uniquely lightweight and technical character within the lineup. Its matte grey finish pairs naturally with the black Cerachrom bezel and dark dial.

How does the 2026 Rolex Yacht-Master II countdown work?

The 2026 Yacht-Master II (Calibre 4162) uses a two-pusher system. The lower pusher programs the countdown to 5, 7, or 10 minutes. The upper pusher starts and stops timing. Once activated, the red countdown minutes hand and red seconds hand sweep counterclockwise toward zero — remaining time reads naturally as hands approaching 12 o’clock. The countdown can be resynchronised to an official starting signal on the fly without stopping and restarting. This replaces the previous generation’s Ring Command bezel system, which mechanically coupled the bezel to the movement for setting the countdown duration.