Among the classic, fashionable and well balanced Rolex watches lies one very spectacular model, one that is definitely an eye catcher. This big, bold and outstanding timepiece is sophisticated as it is utilitarian. It is the professional time keeping instrument used by the skipper of a yacht. Rolex Yacht-Master II is its name and it comes with a unique and innovative programmable regatta countdown flyback chronograph developed and produced exclusively by Rolex.
Genuine Rolex
The first Rolex Yacht Master II was launched in 2007 and it was derived from the 1992’s Yacht Master which didn’t have the programmable countdown timer or any useful yachting function, as a matter of fact. But the new and improved Yacht Master II was a true professional yachting watch boosting a programmable countdown timer and a flyback chronograph, available in yellow and white gold. In 2013, Rolex unveiled the first version of the popular regatta-countdown chronograph watch in a 904L stainless steel case with a blue Cerachrom bezel insert. The model was a success both among yachting enthusiasts and watches collectors.
The distinctive feature of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is the regatta function offered exclusively by Rolex that allows its wearer to program the countdown timer from 1 to 10 minutes thanks to its incorporated mechanical memory that can be reset to the same countdown duration used previously.
Another detail that makes the regatta such a useful yachting innovation is the fact that the countdown can be synchronized on the fly. You can adjust the countdown even after it started. This is a very helpful function for yacht skippers at the beginning of a yachting race. Actually, “regatta” is the name used for boat races so, obviously, the main purpose of the Yacht Master II is to be used during yachting races, to ensure a perfect start at the beginning of the competition.
I am surely not very fond of boats or boat races, to be more exact. But one thing is clear. I love a beautifully design watch that comes with an unusual complication. And the Rolex Yacht Master II is quite extraordinary. I especially like the stainless steel one due to its simple yet captivating contrasts. The immaculate white dial, vibrant blue dials, red accents and shiny silver case are magnificent. This is why buying a Rolex Yacht II in silver replica was one of the most rewarding things I ever did. I absolutely love this watch and you will soon discover why.
The case
The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a big watch. No one can deny this. Its 44 mm case makes it a very fickle watch. This huge Rolex isn’t for everyone. But once you get passed its big proportions you notice the beautiful Oyster case manufactured from a solid block of corrosion resistant 904L steel water resistant to 100 meters. The watch comes with the patented Triplock screw-down winding crown and a smooth integrated crown guard. The big, bright, bold bidirectional rotating bezel is one of the interesting details of the Yacht-Master II as it is the first watch to have the bezel directly connected to the movement. It is actually called a “Ring Command Bezel” and it is an essential part of the regatta chronograph. It lets you program the desired countdown duration. It is made from extra-hard corrosion resistant ceramic, it has engraved numerals and the inscription “Yacht-Master II” coated in platinum in the lower part of the bezel. As all Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master II comes with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Similarly, my Rolex replica has a 44 mm case crafted from solid stainless steel. It comes with the triple lock screw down crown, the same style of crown guard and the bidirectional blue ceramic bezel that features the correct font and size for the numbers and text. It even has a sapphire crystal. Everything looks and feels genuine.
The dial
This Rolex has a very unique design and the dial is a real attention grabber. It is without a doubt one of the most unconventional watches Rolex has ever produced. The matte white lacquer dial, the sharply contrasting deep blue hands, the Chromalight appliqued hour markers, the red seconds hand and the bright blue bezel are a magnificent combination of style and functionality. I like the fact that my replica has everything in the right place, in the correct size and font. The squared luminescent hour markers are correctly replicated, the central subdial has the right numbering and colors, and the wording on the dial is also exact. But I have noticed a couple of differences. First, the minutes and hours hands are not blue as on the original one and secondly the small seconds dial is silver and not bright blue, plus the numbers on it are different. These things are the main discrepancies I have noticed on my knockoff.
The movement
The Yacht Master II comes with a Caliber 4161 COSC certified self-winding movement that has a distinctive column-wheel chronograph. At the heart of the watch there is another exclusive Rolex innovation, an oscillator that has a blue hairspring made of Parachrom, a special alloy that is very resistant to magnetic fields, temperature variations and shocks. Of course, the biggest quality of this Rolex movement is that it supports the extremely complicated regatta function. Even though my watch is just a replica it still has a very good Japanese movement that is accurate and enhances a working subdial. Its functionality is not as intricate and spectacular as the original one, but come again I don’t really need a programmable countdown timer that will ensure the perfect start at the beginning of boat races. Oh, and let’s not forget that the original one costs over $18,000 and mine was only a couple hundreds.
The bracelet
The timepiece has a solid link Oyster bracelet crafted from solid stainless steel fitted with the exclusive Rolex Oyster safety clasp and the patented Easylink comfort extension system that allows you to make the band bigger by about 0.5 cm. The design of the Oyster bracelet reveals polished center links and satin finish outer links with polished edges. Similarly, my fake Rolex watch has a stainless steel bracelet with links that are shiny in the center and matte on the outer part, and, of course, the very useful extension. The bracelet feels very comfy and elegant on the wrist. It has a very authentic look and weight.
The Rolex Yacht Master II is a very technical watch with a very unique design. It is the kind of timepiece that demonstrates why Rolex is one of the best watches brands in the world. So, naturally, every watch passionate people or person with a fascination for beautiful things wants to have one. I am a huge fan of this design and I was looking for a good replica of this model for a while. My Yacht Master II knockoff is fairly good. It has a very good automatic movement, great functionality. It is manufactured from good quality materials, has the correct wording and sizes, but has a couple of differences that I was able to spot from the first moment. Being a very unusual and not very popular model, people are not so familiar with its design so coming across someone that can actually spot these differences is very unlikely.