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Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40

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Owner Review: Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622

What's it like to wear the rolex yacht-master.

| Wrist Size: 7 inch

Before we get to my Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 review, we need some background. In 1992 Rolex introduced a watch that shared the silhouette of their beloved Submariner but in solid 18k yellow gold, embossed YG bezel insert soldered to the bezel, funky white dial, and the unusual name “Yacht-Master” written where “Submariner” would normally live. People then and now still wonder.. “Why?”.

Rumor has it Rolex wanted to drastically update the Submariner but were scared that the changes were too extreme. The Submariner was essentially their poster child and arguably their most iconic watch. Fearing backlash, they created a whole new line. Rolex rarely creates completely new watches, the last time they made a new watch before the Rolex Yacht-Master was in 1964 when the Daytona was introduced. Luckily it paid off as the Yacht-Master was pretty well received!

Even though the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 at first glance looks very similar to the Submariner it’s a totally different wearing experience. The case shape is completely different from the Sub. Its case profile is composed of compound curves with the lugs swooping downwards very similar to a Daytona, the case is also fully polished. My particular Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 being Roleisum (Rolex’s term for the combination of Platinum and Steel which was first introduced in 1999 with the ref. 16622), in combination with the blue sunburst dial and red accents, gives it such a unique aesthetic it sets it apart in Rolex’s catalog. Rolex I think perfected their blue dials, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Pictures do not do it justice whatsoever. In person, it appears much darker, almost black however in direct light that’s when the striking blue hue pops. The date function is also very convenient!

What is it like to wear a Rolex Yacht-Master? I would describe it as the most comfortable and stressful watch I have ever worn and owned. What most people don’t realize is that it’s a thin watch and I mean THIN. At 11.5mm it’s just as thin or even thinner than a 34mm 114200 Air-King! Like what? The case hugs your wrist amazingly while the oyster bracelet seems to caress you. It makes you want to wear it every single day, I mean how could you not? Thin, sporty, beautiful, comfortable and low key a strap monster. Until you see a scratch or nick on the solid Platinum bezel insert, call up Rolex Service Center to see how much it would be to replace it and they slap you in the face with a $2500 (before taxes) quote for JUST the bezel/bezel insert assembly (they’re soldered together remember?). Then you think “Okay, okay which Seiko ’s do I sell to cover the cost of a freaking bezel”. Did I mention the case is fully polished?

Has this ever happened to me? No, because I’m extremely OCD, however I was curious and called RSC, I also used to own the 16622 and was trained to wear long sleeves only, only wear it sparingly, cover my wrist when walking through doorways, never let it touch denim (yes, denim will scratch it apparently), and for all I know never sneeze near it or even look at it too long because for all I know that could probably scratch it too. To top it all off, of COURSE the bracelet and clasp has Polished Center Links! While I am exaggerating the fragility of the Rolex Yacht-Master, the stress of potentially scuffing it is real.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622 is arguably one of my favorite watches ever made. I never thought I’d ever get to own one. It’s beautiful, ridiculously comfortable, relatively uncommon, however so stressful to wear. I have owned it for almost exactly one year and I personally try to enjoy every second I wear it; I even strap changed it with zero scuffs! I have and I do but my OCD and extreme caution lends itself to be a difficult one to fully appreciate without worry. I’ve debated if this watch was right for me all the time. However, I would recommend this watch to anyone minutely interested. I have no regrets having owned two of them like an insane person, but who in the watch collecting world isn’t insane?

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 126622

• Very comfortable to wear.
• Beautiful aesthetics.
• Has many color ways.
• Stressful to wear.
• Scratches relatively easily.
• Difficult to even buy.

Review Breakdown

• Wearability 0%

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Future Classics: The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655

Rolex’s Yacht-Master series emerged in the early nineties, touted as a nautically-themed luxury lifestyle offering, against the all-out professional tools of the brand’s dive trio.

Although quite clearly cut from the same mold as the Submariner (and there were even rumors it was originally dreamt up back in the eighties as a possible replacement for the legendary Sub), it has always set itself apart with its softer, more graceful lines and choice of materials. The closest you’ll find to the utility of steel here is when it’s being gentrified by the presence of Rolex’s own 18K gold in their Rolesor models or their platinum in the Rolesium versions, a combination that actually made its debut with the first wave of Rolex Yacht-Master watches.

Precious metals don’t come cheap and the YM has consequently not had the same universal mass appeal as some others in the Oyster Professional range, and it has always purposely avoided going too sporty, aiming itself instead at an altogether more elite audience. Those who, for example, may own luxury yachts.

Then, in 2015, a new model with a whole host of surprises up its sleeve made its grand entrance. The Yacht-Master reference 116655 brought with it a number of firsts, not just for the Yacht-Master range, but for Rolex itself.

Taking the series as a whole in a completely new direction, this latest addition seemed to be looking to bridge the gap between opulence and activity, sitting comfortably in the mix amid the dressiness of the Datejust on one side and the functionality of the Submariner on the other.

As a result, it arrived with a look unlike anything else in the lineup and quickly developed into one of the most talked about watches of the year. Replacing the conspicuous gleam of gold and platinum bezels for the low-key, let’s just say it, sexiness of matte black Cerachrom, together with Rolex’s first ever rubber strap (yes, you read that right) it became the brand’s poster child for stealth wealth.

Let’s take a look at one of Rolex’s most interesting and beautifully balanced masterpieces.

The Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655

Set it down next to any of the other models in the Yacht-Master family and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were looking at an entirely different range of watches altogether.

While their bezels have always featured embossed numerals, as opposed to the engraved ones favored by the rest of the brand’s catalog, the contrast between the high polish of the three-dimensional markings against that gloriously muted, sandblasted ceramic gives an altogether more dramatic effect. It’s a look that has been echoed across onto the face, the first Yacht-Master to feature a black dial, again replacing what is typically a glossy element on other similarly colored Rolex watches.

Juxtaposing against the luscious glow of the elegantly curved 18k Everose case, Rolex’s own blend of gold and copper with a dash of platinum to seal it all in, it underlines the ref. 116655’s status as the best of both worlds. Dressy enough for the yacht club; sporty enough for the yacht race.

The Oysterflex

It’s not often that a watch’s bracelet becomes its most discussed element. Then again, it’s not often that Rolex makes a rubber strap. In fact, it’s never happened before. So, not only are you looking at the first one ever from the company, you could well be looking at the single most over-engineered watch band yet created.  

As you would expect from the Swiss colossus, calling their Oysterflex bracelet a rubber strap is a bit like calling a Rolls Royce a car. Yes, technically, but there’s a little more to it than that.

At its core is a blade forged from an alloy of titanium and nickel, around which is molded a high performance, hypoallergenic elastomer. It means, not only is the bracelet exceptionally resistant to environmental rigors, it’s free to form itself to the shape of the wearer’s wrist, while retaining all the strength of any of the brand’s metal bands.

It is an extremely comfortable wear, made even more so by the addition of a pair of ‘fins’ underneath that both cushion and support the watch while also providing a vent to allow air in, cooling the wrist on warm days. All secured by the same Oysterlock clasp as you’ll find in the majority of Rolex’s sports models, it comes with the 5mm Easylink extension system for a spot of fine-tuning.

The only drawback compared to, say, the traditional Oyster bracelet is obviously in making larger adjustments. There are no links to add or remove and, unlike other rubber straps, cutting it to size isn’t an option thanks to the metal core. Rolex offer a choice of bracelet size at the time of purchase, but it does mean you won’t be able to lend your watch to anyone with significantly bigger or smaller wrists than you. Oh well!

The Movement

When it was released in 1992, the Yacht-Master became the first in the Oyster Professional range to be offered in a 35mm mid-size, alongside the ladies and full-size men’s models.

Today, only a 40mm and 37mm version are available and, interestingly, they have two different movements. The smaller of the pair, marketed as both a men’s and women’s watch, is powered by the new generation Cal. 2236, containing the Syloxi hairspring that represents Rolex’s first venture into silicon components.

Inside the 40mm ref. 116655 is the battle-hardened and utterly reliable Cal. 3135. By far their most widely-used caliber, it has been proving its worth as Rolex’s main engine since 1988. Performing way beyond the standards set down by the COSC, it’s accurate to within +2/-2 seconds a day.

Future Classic?

A radical departure from the norm and the debut for a number of never-before-seen features, the Yacht-Master ref. 116655 has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making.

Its matte dial with the red text give it a healthy vintage feel too, and its hefty buy-in price will grant it an invaluable degree of exclusivity.

If I was a gambler, I certainly wouldn’t bet against it becoming a highly sought-after piece in years to come, but that isn’t the best reason to add one to the collection if the budget allows.

This is simply one of the most strikingly good-looking and capable watches ever produced by a brand that sets the standard other manufacturers try to live up to. A model welcomed anywhere, whether on deck or on the beach, the Everose gold Yacht-Master 40 is Rolex at their formidable best.

Update: October 2019 – Rolex Yacht-Master 42

At Baselworld 2019, Rolex unveiled an all-new addition to their Yacht-Master collection: the reference 226659. Featuring a 42mm case in solid 18k white gold, the new ref. 226659 is the largest Yacht-Master ever produced (not including Yacht-Master II watches), and is currently the only standard Yacht-Master available with a case size larger than 40mm.

Like the Everose gold Yacht-Master 40, the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 is exclusively offered on a black Oysterflex bracelet, and fitted with a matching black dial and black Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert. Additionally, while the Everose gold Yacht-Master 40 watches feature the ‘Rolex’ name in rose gold text and the ‘Yacht-Master’ name in red letters, the dial of the new Yacht-Master 42 has all-white text, and swaps out the Everose gold hands and hour markers for white gold versions, giving the new ref. 226659 an elegant and monochromatic color profile.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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New Yacht-Master 40

Rolex is unveiling a new colourful, sparkling version of the Yacht-Master 40. Cast from 18 ct white gold – a first for the model – the watch features a rotatable bezel set with trapeze-cut precious stones. Pink sapphire, light-blue sapphire, diamond, purple sapphire and dark-blue sapphire: a harmonious sequence of five hues.

The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 gets an 18ct white gold for the first time and a gem-studded bezel inspired by the aurora borealis

The rest of the watch is pretty much identical to the previous iterations except for the borders of the hour markers and the hands that are also made of white gold. Even the text is in white to match the theme of the timepiece. Housed inside the case is the caliber 3235 that debuted in 2015 and has powered all the iterations of this model since 2019. The self-winding movement offers a power reserve of 70 hours. Rounding out the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 is an Oysterflex bracelet that features a Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp also in 18ct white gold.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Watch Hands-On

With the introduction of a chocolate dial and Everose Rolesor case on an Oyster bracelet, the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 adds another option to the line after last year’s model. A year ago at Baselworld 2015, the Rolex Yacht-Master arrived with a brand new Oysterflex strap, 40mm case, and caliber 3135 movement. It also came in an 18kt Everose (Rolex’s pink gold alloy) case and is now joined by this steel and gold Rolex Yacht-Master 40 model. There will also be a new all-steel model which we should have a look at for you in the coming days.

Many people, including myself, honestly, aren’t experts on the Rolex Yacht-Master line, so I wanted to explain that this watch is simply a new color scheme in the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 line , and not a new piece altogether. There are several two-tone Rolex Yacht-Master 40 watches, but since this is the first new one since last year’s model, I think it’s more interesting to talk about this watch and what it means for the line moving forward. So yes, there are other Rolex Yacht-Master 40 watches already out there, but for all their merits they’re not providing the novelty of a new chocolate dial.

Offering a distinctly softer look than the matte-black dial and bezel of its older sibling, there is a case to be made that this Rolex Yacht-Master 40 watch might have some success as a full-sized Rolex diver that appeals to women as well as men.  The Oyster bracelet in place of the sporty rubber (what Rolex would insist you call “Elastomer”) strap would likely help make that sell, also. That being said, this is certainly a unisex watch, even though I much prefer the black to the Everose look.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40’s bidirectional rotating bezel has polished raised numerals and graduations that stand out against the matt, sand-blasted surface of the 18kt Everose gold bezel. This softens the look of the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 watch by having two warm tones of Everose gold. On the black dial version with a matt, sand-blasted black ceramic bezel, the polished, raised numerals and graduations maintain a brooding look. Here, it’s softer, brighter, and way less masculine.

Ditto with the dial, where the chocolate color gets that great sun-ray finish. Instead of a matt-black dial with a relationship to light like that of a Transylvanian count, the new model of the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 welcomes it. The hands and hour markers are unchanged, with 18kt Everose gold and luminescent Chromalight appliqués. Oh, and the cyclops over the date window remains. The Rolex Yacht-Master 40’s Everose Rolesor (that’s 904L steel and 18k Everose gold) Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock folding safety clasp looks great and is timeless. The Oysterflex is certainly not for everyone, especially when you consider the fact that you are kind of stuck with whichever one of six size options you choose.

If you haven’t heard about it yet, Rolex is has replaced COSC certifications for their movements with a new in-house Rolex Superlative Chronometer certification ( which you can read about here ) that ensures accuracy within -2/+2 seconds per day. The new Rolex Yacht-Master 40 has the same caliber 3135 movement as last year’s model, and it has the new “Green Seal” approving it as Rolex Superlative Chronometer-certified.

While I loved the red font indicating the watch’s name on the black-dial version, I’m not sure it works as well here. It looks a little out of place, and I can only hope Rolex at least considers some other options. Then again, the first Rolex watch on a strap followed up by a standard Oyster bracelet model that also removed the bold red font from the dial would really look like Rolex having too much fun with their fans and enthusiasts.

Also announced at Baselworld this year is the 39.5mm gold-cased  Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer “Chocolate” watch , which Omega has interestingly decided to market as a ladies’ watch. Personally, I am not the world’s biggest fan of the chocolate dial, but I know several people, both men and women, who I can say would love to wear it any day. It will also be interesting to see how the upcoming steel model is priced, but maybe we’ll see a lot more Rolex Yacht-Master watches out in the wild when you cut almost half from the price of the gold-case black dial model. Price on this Rolex Yacht-Master 40 watch reference 116621 is 13,400 CHF . rolex.com

First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

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Oyster Perpetual

Yacht-Master

Stay the course, mapping invisible routes.

For those at sea, staying the course is a constant challenge. Defying the laws of logic, bearings can be lost suddenly in difficult conditions, thus requiring adaptability and the capacity to react quickly. Since 1992, the Yacht-Master – equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel – has become the established watch of masterful sailors who know how to react in order to keep their heading, in any situation.

Technical and elegant, the Yacht-Master is a reliable nautical instrument.

Bidirectional rotatable bezel

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metal (gold or platinum) or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt background. This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Oysterflex bracelet

This technical bracelet, developed by Rolex and patented, singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the suppleness, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap.

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, yellow gold.