yacht master ii regatta

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Hands-On The Rolex Yachtmaster II Regatta Timer, Ref. 116680

The rolex yacht-master ii: for those who consider themselves rolex enthusiasts, it's one of the most polarizing watches the crown produces. and yet there is more – much more – to this relative behemoth than meets the eye. we wanted to see what would happen if we met this technically unique, programmable flyback yacht timer chronograph on its own terms – read on to join us in our journey into one of the most idiosyncratically styled and mechanically sophisticated rolexes ever made..

I’m going to be completely honest: I was thoroughly prepared to have a negative reaction to this watch. Let’s face it; it’s a head-scratcher for the average Rolex/Submariner/GMT Master/Day-Date lover. First of all it’s pretty damned big. This is a 44 mm watch; it was born a 44 mm watch and it’ll die a 44 mm watch and that is nothing you or anybody else can do about it. You can have it in four different metals, and therefore, weights, ranging from steel (heavy) to gold/steel (heavier) to solid yellow gold (even heavier) to  platinum and white gold combined (Schwarzeneggerian). It has a Cerachrom bezel in an absolutely screaming shade of blue, and it says YACHT-MASTER in giant letters right across the bottom third or so just to remove any lingering shade of doubt in the minds of any small-craft skipper for leagues around that they are in the presence of, well, the Master of a Yacht; it is not an introverted watch by any stretch of the imagination.

On top of everything else, the Yacht-Master II has a complication that pretty much no watch guy or gal ever can remember what do with, or has a perceived need for: it is a regatta timer, which is about as niche a complication as you can imagine. If you get a bunch of watch nuts together there is an excellent chance that you can get a more lucid explanation out of somebody for the Equation of Time than you can for a regatta timer (which is saying something) and it says something about the relative obscurity of the complication in general, and the relative niche-ness of the Yacht-Master II in particular, that when we got it into the office we had five people who live and breathe watches sitting around scratching our heads because no one could quite remember how the darned thing works. You put all those things together and you should have a watch that a dyed-in-the-wool horological classicist should thoroughly disdain. Right?

Actually, wrong. But let’s back up a bit.

First of all this is technically a very interesting watch and it’s worth your attention just on the level of interesting horological problem solving alone. A regatta timer is used by the skipper of a yacht to determine when their vessel is allowed to cross the starting line. Sailboats can’t just hover at the starting line of a yacht race, so what happens is that the racing committee establishes a countdown period during which the boats have to tack back and forth at the starting line without actually crossing; if you cross early, there is a penalty and if you are too cautious and cross late you will probably cross the finish line behind the boats that made it over the start line ahead of you. The countdown can be anywhere from five to ten minutes depending on the rules and race.

The Yacht-Master II is a programmable, flyback regatta timer that allows you to select a countdown interval of anything from one to ten minutes; in addition if you have started the countdown early or late, you can synchronize your watch “on the fly” when you hear the second of the two audible signals which are usually given at the start of a race (the signal to start the countdown comes first, and is usually followed by a warning signal closer to the start). Here’s how it works.

To set the countdown timer, you turn the bezel (Rolex calls it the "Command Bezel") a quarter turn to the left. This locks the lower chrono pusher and engages the setting mechanism for the triangular red countdown hand. You then unscrew the crown to its first position, and set the countdown hand – setting is one-way only but at 10 minutes, if you continue to turn the crown, the countdown hand will fly back to 1 and you can continue until you reach the desired number of minutes. When you’re done, you screw the crown back down, and turn the bezel back to its starting position, and you’re ready to regatta.

When the first gun (or other audible signal) is heard, you start the countdown . . . and that’s it. Now a really neat trick here is that you may, for some reason, have started your countdown too early, or too late. If that’s the case, all you have to do is wait for the second gun/signal, and hit the re-set button – the seconds hand will fly back to the zero mark and begin running again immediately; and the minute countdown hand will fly back to the nearest minute and likewise start counting down again. It’s the fact that the flyback is to the nearest minute, not to zero, that allows you to re-synch your countdown with the official countdown time, that gives the Yacht-Master II much of its utility, and much of its technical interest.

Okay, sure it’s technically interesting – but what about the aesthetics? All I can tell you is that, much to my very pleasant surprise, it was colossally fun to wear in every sense of the word. The fact that it is so unapologetically extroverted is actually the secret to its appeal.  The weight isn't a problem (at least, not for me, and not in steel) and I found I could wear it all day without discomfort despite the overall size – partly thanks to the downward curvature of the lugs, which ensured a comfortable fit on my 7 inch wrist.  The sharply contrasting deep blued hands, white dial, and red countdown hand – and, yes, that bright blue bezel – give the whole watch a suitably jaunty, nautical feel and make it a pleasure to look at (and at night visibility is very good; the lume on the hands and dial is almost startlingly bright).

Yes, this is an extroverted watch, but the quality of execution is very clean and very high (as is usually the case with Rolex) and it’s so much the opposite of what I’d ordinarily wear that having it on gave a feeling almost like a Walter Mitty fantasy coming to life. I felt like a guy who’s worn a blue suit and rep tie and driven a four door Merc his whole life, who somehow one day finds himself in a pair of ripped jeans and a beat up flight jacket, cruising down some winding secondary road on an old shovelhead Harley, and suddenly catches himself thinking, My god, all the wasted years. Ultimately I started to feel that objecting to the over-the-top-ness  of the Yacht-Master II was silly, even narcissistic – if you go into a Joss Whedon actioner expecting a Lars Von Trier art-house tearjerker to unspool, you probably have only yourself to blame.

It is a rationally appealing uitlitarian tool watch? I'm not the one to ask. There is no way for me to evaluate what someone who actually owns a ’36 Herreshoff classic yacht and takes it on the regatta circuit would actually think of the Yacht-Master II, or whether they would find it useful. But I can tell you that it is actually a ton of fun to wear, and a big part of the reason is the very thing many object to at first – that this is a watch that pulls no punches when it comes to being larger than life.

It has that one most essential element for something to be a successful style exercise: the courage of its convictions, and if you think of yourself resolutely as a smaller-than-forty millimeter, tasteful restraint kinda guy, get one on your wrist for a surprisingly refreshing change of pace, and you can feel larger than life too.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 as shown, $18,750, 44 mm diameter case in 904L stainless steel. Bidirectional rotatable "Command Bezel" with blue Cerachrom insert; water resistance 100 meters/10 bar.

Movement, Rolex 4161 self-winding programmable flyback regatta timer with mechanical memory and "on-the-fly" synchronization; Parachrom blue antimagnetic balance spring.  

Bracelet, Oyster, flat three piece links with Oysterlock safety clasp.

More info, of course, on Rolex.com .

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How to Set and Use the Rolex Yacht-Master II

Regatta races are an exciting way to test your sailing ability. The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a countdown timer so you can time your regatta race.

Not only does it look fantastic, but its highly specialized functions are powered by one of the most impressive movements Rolex has released to date. Using these functions though can be a frustrating and complicated path.

While there are number of steps to the process, Rolex designed it to be quick and simple once you get to know it.

With this guide, you’ll learn how to set the Rolex Yacht-Master II for a regatta, as well as how to use it during the race.

What is a regatta watch?

First of all, what is a regatta watch? The Rolex Yacht-Master II’s countdown timer is used to time events that involve boats or other competitive pursuits, such as sailing races, chariot races, and even football matches.

The goal of these events is to get from point A to point B in the fastest amount of time possible. To do this, teams will use the count-down timer on their watches to measure their progress and determine whether they should increase their speed or slow down if they are falling behind.

You’re probably wondering why you would need a watch with such an advanced feature if you aren’t partaking in regatta activities yourself. Well, there are plenty of instances where having the ability to time something accurately can be useful. Even everyday tasks like boiling your eggs perfectly or recording the length of timeouts count! The possibilities are endless.

How to Set your Countdown Timer on a Rolex Yacht-Master II

The countdown timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II is an elegant and useful feature. You’ll need to set it up though before the beginning of the regatta to start the countdown at the appropriate time.

To set the countdown timer:

1. The timer needs to have stopped. If it is still going, push the upper pusher on the right hand side of the dial/case to stop the timer.

2. Once the timer is stopped, you need to turn the bezel to the left, or counterclockwise, a quarter turn. It will stop at a quarter as that’s as far as it can go, and it will click into place for you.

3. Push the bottom pusher on the right hand side of your case. When you push this button, it will stay pushed down. This bounces the second hand to zero or the 12 o’clock mark. The minute hand will also return itself back to wherever you previously had it set. Having the lower pusher depressed blocks you from pressing the upper pusher.

4. Unlock the crown by turning it counterclockwise. The crown is the center knob at the 3 o’clock position on the right hand side of your case. Turn the crown clockwise setting it to the minute that you need.

5. Once you’ve set the duration of your preferred countdown, you’re going to return to the bezel. Turn the bezel this time in a clockwise direction until the click, or a quarter turn. This action unlocks the upper pusher and lets go of the lower one.

6. Push your crown back in and rotate it clockwise until it locks. This ensures that your watch keeps its water resistance.

How to Use the Countdown Timer on your Rolex Yacht-Master II

The countdown timer on the Yacht-Master II is used to display how much time has passed in a race (or other endeavors). Many people use this feature when they’re tracking their own races, but it’s also useful for non-sporting activities.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Your top or upper pusher starts and stops your countdown. This is similar to other traditional Rolex complications like what you’d find on the Daytona . The lower pusher resets the timer.

2. The difference with the Yacht-Master from other chronograph watches is that you can jump forward or backward to the closest minute with a one touch to the lower button. There’s no need to reset the counter, wasting valuable time in a race.

3. To use the fly-back or fly-forward functions mentioned above, while the timer is running, give one quick press to the lower pusher. The timer resets itself to the closest minute while still running. This allows you to instantly start measuring the next duration, with no time lost.

Timing a Regatta Race using the Rolex Yacht-Master II

Ok, so your timer is set, and you know how to run it, but what are you supposed to do with it during a regatta race?

Regatta Racing (photo: Rolex)

1. If you’re unfamiliar with why you need a timer in a regatta, this isn’t unusual. A gun and a wave of a flag signal the countdown to the start of the race. When you see or hear this, then press the top pusher that starts the timer. If you did your job, your timer was set at the needed number of minutes ahead of time. At this point, the second hand is tracking the elapsed time since you started. The minutes hand will move every 60 seconds tracking the time until it hits the finish or zero. End of a countdown.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II in Steel and Everose Gold (photo: Rolex)

2. There may be a point where you’ll have to pause and resync your timer. You’ll want it to maintain sync with the official clock. Being on-time is important in a regatta. This is easy to accomplish. When you hear the second or third prep signals, the official ones, press the lower pusher. This resets the second hand back to the beginning, or zero, synchronizing the minute hand back to the closest minute, thus syncing with the official clock.

3. At this point, the race has begun. Your personal countdown has finished and you’re off. Now you can restart your timer by pressing the top pusher to stop it and then the bottom pusher to reset it to the last programmed setting.

How to Use Your Rolex Yacht-Master II: Final Thoughts

Now you know how to use your Rolex Yacht-Master II in a regatta race. It’s a great watch that will make timing your races much easier and more accurate. Better yet, use your timer for anything you need a countdown for.

On the market for a Rolex Yacht-Master? Check out our wide selection of Rolex Yacht-Master watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.

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Rolex Yacht-Master II Ultimate Buying Guide

There are some Rolex watches that are more or less universally loved, with a simple and versatile aesthetic that leaves little room for any sort of animosity. However, there are others within the portfolio that almost seem to have been created specifically to invite controversy, taking the brand away from its traditional design base and into more contentious territories. The Rolex Yacht-Master II collection is one of those watches.

When it arrived in the mid-2000s, the Yachtmaster II was so far removed from anything Rolex had created before that nobody seemed to know quite what to make of it. The watch was a big, bold and extremely expensive addition to the catalog, and while it was obviously slotted into the brand’s Professional Collection, it stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. However, that was back then. Looking at the brand’s catalog today, it seems that Rolex was simply ahead of the game.

The Yacht Master II’s once challenging looks have matured, and although it is still most definitely a visually striking watch, it is no longer considered completely over the top. Mechanically, it is also incredibly impressive. On its debut, it instantly became Rolex’s most complicated watch, with a one-of-a-kind functionality aimed at about as niche a group as you could imagine. Below we have laid out a complete guide to the Rolex Yacht-Master II with everything you need to know in order to make an informed decision.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

Yacht-Master II Key Features:

– Year Introduced: 2007

– Case Size: 44mm

– Materials: Oystersteel; Everose Rolesor; 18k Yellow Gold; 18k White Gold & Platinum

– Functions: Time w/Running Seconds, Programmable Regatta Timer w/ Mechanical Memory

– Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Ring Command, Blue Ceramic or Platinum Insert w/ 10-Minute Countdown Scale

– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 4161

– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet

– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet

– Retail Price: $18,750 – $48,150 USD (Approx.)

For more info, visit our guide on how to use the regatta timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Rolex Yacht-Master II History

Launched in 2007, the Rolex Yacht Master II debuted some 15-years after its original Yachtmaster namesake. However, the similarities between this watch and the model that first carried the Yacht-Master name are pretty much zero.

Where the earlier model is essentially a more luxurious take on the Rolex Submariner, the Yacht-Master II is a fully-fledged item of luxury professional sailing equipment, designed from the outset to assist skippers keep track of time during the complicated starting sequence of a regatta. That technically leaves the Yacht-Master II in the tool watch category, but this is a long way from the likes of the more utilitarian Explorer II and evidence of that can be found in its release schedule.

The first versions of the Rolex Yacht Master II to be unveiled were the 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 and the even more opulent 18k white gold version fitted with a platinum bezel, the ref. 116689. Quite a bit removed from the brand’s usually conservative styling, this large, gleaming, in-your-face effort that shouted its own name across its bezel, was an immediate opinion splitter. Traditionalists were horrified, lamenting Rolex’s continued straying from its roots, while others who enjoy having their watches noticed, embraced it wholeheartedly.

The financial crash that followed in 2008 altered the landscape for watchmakers (along with everyone else) and called for more affordable pieces to come forward. The Yachtmaster II collection expanded in 2011 with the unveiling of the ref. 116681, an Everose Rolesor model with a stainless steel case and outer bracelet links paired with a winding crown, pushers, and central links in Everose gold. That was followed by the version everyone was clamoring for in 2013 – the ref. 116680 in full stainless steel, which also introduced a new caliber, the Cal. 4161, replacing the former Cal. 4160.

The only other change the watch has undergone since then occurred on its 10th anniversary in 2017, when it was given a facelift so slight that Rolex didn’t even feel it warranted a new reference number. The square hour markers at the six and 12 o’clock were changed to a rectangle and inverted triangle respectively, and the simple stick handset was swapped for the Mercedes type to bring them in-line with much of the rest of the brand’s Professional Collection.

How Much Is A Rolex Yacht-Master II?

When the Rolex Yacht-Master II first arrived, the combination of its exclusively precious metal construction and the extraordinary engineering going on inside its movement meant that it was among the most expensive offerings in Rolex’s catalog . This left many admirers priced out of the picture, but the introduction of stainless steel and two-tone references would soon open the Yacht-Master II up to a much wider range of buyers.

The Rolesor model from 2011 sacrificed some of that wall-to-wall gold for 904L stainless steel and more or less cut the asking price in half, while the full steel version dropped the retail price even further. Today, brand-new examples vary from $18,750 for the full stainless steel model up to $48,150 for the white gold and platinum version. But what about pre-owned prices?

The rather love-it-or-hate-it visuals of the Rolex Yacht Master II means that it doesn’t attract quite the same level of universal frenzy as the Daytona or Submariner. It is not completely out of the question for an authorized retailer to even have a model or two in stock, which isn’t something that can be said about the vast majority of the brand’s other sports watches. For that reason, pre-owned models do command a bit of a premium, but nowhere near as much as some of the other models in the brand’s catalog.

You can expect to pay a minimum of around $18,000 for an unworn steel piece on the secondary market, while the Everose Rolesor edition comes in closer to about $25,000. The 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 also holds pretty steady, with most examples falling somewhere in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, depending on age and overall condition. Finally, the ref. 116689 – the top-of-the-line model in white gold and platinum, is where the biggest discounts can be found. A brand-new example costs $48,150 at an authorized dealer, but an older example on the pre-owned market can often be found for just under $30,000.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Design

The Yacht-Master II is arguably the least “Rolex-looking” Rolex watch ever made, which is the core reason behind why it ruffled so many feathers among purist collectors upon its release. It’s arrival took the brand down previously unexplored experimental paths, a very far cry from the sort of discreetly restrained icons present throughout the rest of its portfolio.

The Yacht-Master II is a hard-working watch with a lot of information to present and as a result, it has what initially looks like somewhat of a cluttered dial. However, a lot of that is down to a trick of the eye concerning the bezel’s 1-10 numerals being mirrored exactly around the horseshoe-shaped track on the face. This is obviously the regatta countdown scale, designed to help yacht skippers synchronize their boats’ movements with the race’s starting gun (we’ll get onto this more a little later).

What it means for the overall styling is a lot of numbers on the watch that you will not be using for the vast majority of the time you are wearing it. But while it may come across as a little jam-packed – particularly when you add in the chronograph hand, arrowhead countdown pointer, and a small running seconds sub-dial at the bottom – once you get used to it, you can’t help but be impressed with how much Rolex’s technicians have achieved with so little. No, it isn’t exactly the Explorer’s 3/6/9 arrangement, but it is perfectly readable with a little familiarity and conveys the information it provides in a clean and legible manner.

Despite only containing four models (all of which have white dials), the series actually covers a good range of tastes. The ref. 116688 could be in the running for most showy standard-production Rolex currently available, its all-yellow gold case somehow making the bright blue bezel pop even more. At the other end, the white gold and platinum ref. 116689 is as low-key and reserved as a 44mm wide, 14mm thick, highly-complicated, solid-gold sports watch can be. The virtual monochrome is lifted only by the red chrono hand and arrowed pointer.

In-between, the stainless steel and Everose Rolesor models do the job of appealing to more middle-of-the-road palates. Their color combinations, along with the mix of brushed and polished elements on the watch itself, keep it all on the right side of overdone, and the two-tone model’s bezel numerals also being filled in Everose gold is a nice touch. Unlikely to ever be described as subtle, any version of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is guaranteed to receive some attention.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Functions

Looks aside, the big talking point around the Rolex Yacht Master II lies in what it can do. There is a strong argument against calling the watch a genuine chronograph as it doesn’t so much keep track of elapsed time in the traditional sense, as it does count backwards from a specific starting point, up to a maximum of 10-minutes.

How is that useful? It is all down to how a professional regatta gets underway. Due to the nature of wind and water, it simply isn’t possible to get a bunch of yachts all lined up at a particular spot in the ocean and have them set off at the same time. Instead, the start of a race goes in stages, with each one marked by a gunshot or other audible signal. The first is usually sounded 10-minutes before the start (although it can also be seven or even five), and the skippers must maneuver their boats back and forth in front of the line without crossing it, jockeying with the other competitors for prime position.

There follows two further preparatory signals at precise intervals, and crews must coordinate their approach so they are as close to the start point as possible at the exact moment the race officially begins. It is that pair of additional signals that call into action one of the party tricks of the Yacht-Master II’s unique complication. Should the watch fall out of sync with the regatta reference clock for any reason, a press of the lower pusher activates the flyback (or fly-forward) function, snapping the chronograph hand to the nearest minute to allow the two timers to match up again. Even more notably, it is the only mechanical watch in the world with a programmable memory, meaning the wearer can reset back to the specified original countdown point at any time.

Giving access to all this engineering virtuosity is what Rolex has dubbed its Ring Command Bezel. This was the first appearance of the concept, with the second generation taking control of the Sky-Dweller’s myriad of functions a few years later. On both models, the bezel is directly linked to the internal movement, and on the Yacht-Master II, it acts as an analogue on/off switch. Rotating it 90° unlocks the functionality and allows for the countdown timer to be set with the crown. Turning it back again locks everything in place, and engages the memory. The watch is then operated as a standard chronograph, with the top pusher activating the starts and stops, and the bottom taking charge of the reset or flyback/fly-forward functions.

For a manufacturer not renowned for the complexity of its watches (quite the opposite, in fact) Rolex’s regatta timer is a seriously impressive performer. It may have been created for an especially select group, but it is truly surprising how useful it can be to count down accurately from 10-minutes, even for those of us who may not own a yacht – particularly if you like your pasta al dente.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Movement

The first run of the Rolex Yacht-Master II was powered by the in-house Caliber 4160. At the time, it was the most component-heavy movement the brand had ever created, but it was essentially a heavily reworked version of the Cal. 4130 from the Daytona. The column wheel, vertical clutch and ball-bearing rotor were all carried over from the brand’s legendary racing chronograph.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with that, and the Rolex Daytona’s movement remains one of the most reliable and accurate mass-produced chronograph calibers of the modern era. However, with the arrival of the long-awaited stainless steel Yacht-Master II in 2013, Rolex also unveiled a new mechanism, the Caliber 4161, the product of additional refinements and some 35,000 hours of development.

Made up of over 360 components, including those produced via a highly specialized fabrication process called UV-LiGA which uses ultraviolet light to build microstructures, this dedicated movement provided a crisper feel to the pushers and greater reliability. With that in mind, both the Cal. 4160 and the Cal. 4161 benefitted from Rolex advances such as the blue Parachrom hairspring, as well as providing users with a highly-respectable 72-hour power reserve and a 28,800vph balance frequency.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Bracelet

At the present time, all of the various Rolex Yacht-Master II models are fitted with the three-link Oyster bracelet, as befits a true sports watch. On each version, the inner links have been given a high polish to match the gleaming case, while the outer links receive a satin finish to provide a contrast against the lugs.

As for material, the bracelet is crafted from the same metal as the watch head: stainless steel, yellow gold or white gold. With the Rolesor example, the innermost links are forged from Everose gold, leaving the outer side links in 904L stainless Oystersteel. Tying it all together is the Oysterlock folding clasp, equipped with the brand’s Easylink extension system that allows for approximately 5mm of tool-free bracelet adjustment, completely on the fly and without the use of any tools.

The Yacht-Master II was something of a retaliation from Rolex against decades-worth of naysayers criticizing the brand for the lack of complicated watches in its lineup. Rolex’s rebuttal, while not the most all-encompassing in terms of looks or utility, still stands as a hugely significant piece of technical dexterity. Rolex has always produced tool watches, but as the company continues to make the transition towards being a true luxury manufacturer, the tool watches it produces also take on a more luxurious nature and the Yacht-Master II perfectly embodies this. Large and uncompromising, it is perhaps the most eccentric model Rolex has to offer – and it is always happy to take center stage.

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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Yacht-Master II

Oyster, 44 mm, Oystersteel

M116680-0002

Bidirectional rotatable Ring Command bezel. Blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic, moulded numerals and inscription

WATERPROOFING

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

4161, Manufacture Rolex

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph

POWER RESERVE

Approximately 72 hours

CERTIFICATION

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Model Availability

All Rolex watches are assembled by hand with the utmost care to ensure exceptional quality. Such high standards naturally restrict Rolex production capacity and, at times, the demand for Rolex watches outpaces this capacity.

Therefore, the availability of certain models may be limited. New Rolex watches are exclusively sold by Official Rolex Retailers, who receive regular deliveries and independently manage the allocation and sales of watches to customers.

Mohammed Rasool Khoury & Sons is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Retailers and can provide information on the availability of Rolex watches.

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How to Set your Yacht-Master II Synonymous with excellence and reliability, Rolex watches are designed for everyday wear, and depending on the model, perfectly suited for a wide range of sports and other activities. Built to last, these timepieces are characterized by their distinctive and timeless aesthetics. The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is a unique regatta chronograph. Learn more about its features and how to set the time and, for the perfect race start, how to use the exclusive countdown function by watching the video.

Light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is the ally of those seeking freedom of movement. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it puts watchmaking excellence at the service of sporting performance. The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX titanium released by Rolex after the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, confirming that lightness is a quality to be taken seriously.

Mastering lightness

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Rolex Watchmaking

Yacht-Master

A valuable tool watch

A technical and elegant watch, the Yacht-Master is a reliable nautical instrument on the wrist.

Its graduated bidirectional bezel allows for precise measurement and reading of time intervals when navigating. This tool watch benefits from innovations that improve its legibility and wearers’ comfort in all circumstances.

Graduated bidirectional bezel Precision and legibility on the wrist

The bidirectional bezel with raised 60-minute graduations is a key feature of the Yacht-Master. Entirely crafted in precious metal – 18 kt ct Everose gold or 950 platinum – or fitted with a black Cerachrom bezel insert in high-technology ceramic, it is an essential part of the watch’s identity.

With its polished markers and numerals, which stand out clearly from the matt surface, the bezel guarantees optimal reading of time intervals, for example, the sailing time between two buoys. Furthermore, the detailed graduation of the first 15 minutes offers extra precision when reading navigational time.

The bidirectional rotating mechanism relies on a ring bearing 120 notches for precise and fluid adjustment to the nearest half-minute. Lastly, the bezel has a knurled edge, making it easy to manipulate in all conditions.

Gold, Rolesor and Rolesium Precious alloys and exclusive combinations

Rolex gold is an intrinsic part of the Yacht-Master’s identity: 18 kt ct yellow, white or Everose gold are comprised of 750‰ pure gold and blends of silver, copper and palladium. They are all entirely created and cast in our own foundry.

The Yacht-Master in 18 kt ct Everose gold is available in two diameters: 37 mm and 40 mm. Each of these versions is also available with a diamond-paved dial. The 18 kt ct yellow gold and 18 kt ct white gold versions are reserved for the Yacht-Master 42.

Rolex gold is also combined with Oystersteel – a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy – for the Everose Rolesor versions of the Yacht-Master 37 and Yacht-Master 40. They combine a bezel and centre links in Everose gold with a middle case, winding crown, case back and outer links in Oystersteel.

The Yacht-Master 37 and the Yacht-Master 40 are also available in Rolesium versions, an alliance of platinum and steel. They combine a platinum bezel with a middle case, winding crown, case back and bracelet in Oystersteel.

RLX titanium Robustness and lightness

RLX titanium made its first appearance in the Yacht-Master range in 2023. The grade 5 titanium alloy selected by Rolex is a particularly lightweight metal and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Its use for the Yacht-Master 42’s case and bracelet has reduced the weight of the watch by around a third compared to a similar watch in steel. RLX titanium is complex to work with and has required the introduction of special production processes.

The combination of polished, high-sheen and technical satin finishes illustrates our excellence in machining and finishing techniques. Together, they produce a subtle blend of textures and light, setting off the gleaming polished surface of the crown guard and the lustrous high-sheen on the top edges of the lugs against the matt of the technical satin finishing – with its pronounced grain – visible on the rest of the case and bracelet.

Bracelets, clasps and extension systems Comfort and security on the wrist

Chromalight display and cyclops lens for optimal legibility.

Equipped with the Chromalight display and the Cyclops lens, the Yacht-Master combines two exclusive Rolex features that improve legibility.

The Chromalight display provides optimum legibility, whatever the light conditions. The luminescent material is applied by experts to the hands and the large hour markers which have simple shapes (triangle, circle and rectangle) that are characteristic of Rolex professional watches. Brilliant white in daylight, this material emits an intense blue glow in the dark.

Introduced in 2008, the Chromalight display was optimized in 2021 to maintain the intensity of the blue glow for longer. The performance of this luminescent substance clearly exceeds the standards required by watchmaking norms.

Designed to improve the readability of the date thanks to its magnifying effect, the Cyclops lens is both an aesthetic and technical signature of the brand. This Rolex invention was patented in the early 1950s. Like the crystal of the watch, it is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from a double anti-reflective coating.

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Rolex Yachtmaster II Regatta Timer and the Rolex Cup Regattas

You know the Submariner, you know the Daytona, time to learn about the Rolex Yacht-Master II and the brand’s long running association with regattas

Francis Chichester onboard ‘Gipsy Moth IV’ during first ‘One-stop’ solo circumnavigation. He completed the 27,000 voyage in 226 days. PHOTO CREDIT: Chichester Archive/PPL

For over the past 60 years, Rolex has forged a relationship with yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical sport and its time-honoured values. From the very beginning, founder Hans Wilsdorf set out to make wristwatches that would suit the active and sporting lifestyles of evolving gentlemen. Nine years later, in 1914, Rolex brought the then unrivalled and observatory-certified precision of the marine chronometer clock to wristwatches, a vital navigational instrument in humanity’s classical age, thus, while many correctly and strongly form an association between Rolex Submariners and deep sea activities , the world’s first waterproof wristwatch invented in 1926, the Oyster, and in 1931, the perpetual (for its self-winding mechanism) were innovations in watchmaking which formed the foundations for today’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II.

Vintage Rolex belonging to Francis Chichester

Rolex Yacht-master II Regatta Timer and the Rolex Cup Regattas

At the recently concluded Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, the Crown once again demonstrated its commitment to the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas in the world , sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit.

“It has been a lot of fun with very tight racing between the three Wallycentos. The big surprise was Lyra winning so many races – that’s never happened before in the Wally class.” – Wally Yachts President Luca Bassani

Dockside ambiance in Porto Cervo

Buoyed by brilliant sunshine and gracious westerly winds, followers of the regatta witnessed the remarkable gumption and victory of the Wally 77 Lyra in the Wally class, who against all odds, being the first ever regatta for owner-driver, Chinese Canadian Terry Hui, calls to mind that amazing cross-channel swim by Mercedes Gleitze against all odds.

Against the luxurious backdrop of Porto Cervo, an Italian seaside resort in northern Sardinia, a luxury yacht magnet, a billionaires’ playground and one of the most expensive resorts in the world, an incredible story of drive and unfailing endurance followed Hui, whom started sailing two and a half months ago.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Underscoring the brand’s natural association with technically complex activities, joining the elite athleticism of human skippers and advanced regattas, sharing its excellence, precision and team spirit, it was no wonder that Rolex gravitated toward the elite world of yachting, forming a first alliance in the late 1950s with the New York Yacht Club, a founding father of the America’s Cup, along with the Royal Yacht Squadron in Great Britain, and a creative influence on the sport of yachting and its rules include the “One-Design” racing for fleets of virtually identical boats, which allows the skill of the crew to make all the difference.

As technically complex as the Regattas it times, introducing the Rolex Yacht-master II

Unlike the universally beloved Submariner and Daytona, the Rolex Yacht-master II Regatta Timer is arguably one of the more polarising watches from the brand. Yacht racing is fiercely competitive and technical, demanding mastery, split-second precision, resilience and the finest teamwork and its this confluence of highly niche requirements that leads the 44 mm Yacht-master II to bear one of the more niche complications in watchmaking – the “kinda-chronograph but not really”, regatta timer.

A unique regatta chronograph dedicated to both yachting enthusiasts and experienced sailors, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II features an exclusive function developed by Rolex, a programmable countdown with a mechanical memory that can be synchronised on the fly. Why? Because unlike race cars and sprinters, yachts don’t (and can’t) exactly float precisely on a starting line. Thus, a racing committee establishes a countdown period, depending on the rules and regatta, during which the boats can hover around the starting line without actually crossing; therefore what the Rolex Yacht-master II Regatta Timer features is required for precise timing during the crucial starting sequence of a regatta.

Cross the start line too early, you get penalised, cross too late and you sabotage yourself at the finish line, hence precision is of the essence in a regatta. The Yacht-Master II features an unprecedented mechanical function: a countdown that can be programmed from 10 to 1 minutes and allows skippers to precisely time and follow each race’s specific official starting procedure. This flexibility is one the major assets of the Yacht-Master II; its development was a considerable mechanical challenge. Furthermore, the programming can be mechanically memorised so that the hand returns to the same setting at a reset. The fly-back reset function and accompanying ability to adjust the countdown minute hand to the nearest minute is horologically significant on the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II, in no other fly-back chronograph can the timer reset   to the nearest minute rather than zero,  this allows the skipper to synch your countdown to official countdown timing rather than your own.

SVEA, Model: J Class, Nation: CAY, Sail n.: J 51, Lenght: 43,61, Beam: 6,63, Owner / Charterer: Tom Siebel

Master (your time) through Command (of the Bezel)

Furthermore, the Yacht-master II Regatta Timer’s sophisticated countdown functions were designed to be easily set and operated via a powerfully named “Ring Command Bezel” – programming of up to 10 minutes is set, and then locked, via this rotatable Command bezel, an innovative setting function which allows interaction between the external bezel and the movement while retaining exemplary water resistance elevates the Yacht-Master II model to the rank of a new-generation watch while redefining the functions of the rotatable bezel, heretofore limited to tachymeter, GMT or hour marker readings.

The keeping of time is a fundamental element of yacht racing. Whether it is to determine the exact moment a race starts or the eventual winner under handicap or compensated time, the rotation of crew on a long race, the choreography of a particular manoeuvre, sail choice or navigation, time runs through the sport. The coveted prize at all Rolex yachting events is a specially engraved Rolex timepiece; a symbol of success that marks out the winners as having accomplished something remarkable in their chosen sport.

THE ROCKS AND ISLANDS OF THE COSTA SMERALDA AND MADDALENA ARCHIPELAGO HAVE PROVIDED A UNIQUE PLAYING FIELD FOR THE MAXI FLEET FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS

The final day race of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2018 was a day of hard-fought triumphs with  J Class claiming the top three slots in the SuperMaxi class; Topaz eking out a win by one point, despite Velsheda winning the final race. In the Maxi class, Argentinean Miguel Galuccio’s Vera won the final day’s race as well but it was not enough to displace Massimiliano Florio’s Grande Orazio from the top spot after his Southern Wind 82 finished third. German Dieter Schön’s Momo retained her Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship title. The winners received a Yacht-Master special edition with “Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup” engraving on caseback.

The 29th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship was held from September 3 to 8.

Engraved Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 presented to the winners of the Rolex Maxi Yacht 2018

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Review: Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref. 116680 2017 Edition

Among the hard core Rolex collectors, lies a quiet discontent. One watch polarises the community like no other Rolex ever has. It is big. It is bold. It screams its model name in your face in huge text on the bezel. It carries the same reference number as the watch it replaces. And yet, like the other Rolex professional watches, it is born out of a professional need. That of the skipper of a yacht. This is the Rolex Yacht-Master II. The programmable regatta countdown flyback chronograph from Rolex. We took a close look at it, examine its  raison d’être , and give you the plain verdict: Awesome or not. Read to discover!

The Rolex Yacht-Master II. Shown here in stainless steel case, with blue Cerachrom bezel. also available in yellow gold, white gold and Rolesor.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II

The Yacht-Master II occupies a place within the Rolex hierarchy of professional watches.  This is a special category of watches that Rolex designs and intends for use in a specific profession. The Submariner and Sea Dweller  were designed for professional diving, initially developed with diving specialists COMEX. The Explorer was developed with explorers to summit Everest, the GMT series for PanAm pilots. The Daytona Cosmograph was derived for use on the race track, though when it first appeared in 1960, it was merely labelled Chronograph, but was quickly nicknamed the Daytona, after the famous race circuit.

The Yacht-Master first introduced in 1992 as a Ref. 16628 in yellow gold is a curiosity. It is not a professional yachting watch, but a Submariner with stronger aesthetics and made with more premium case and bracelet materials. The Yacht-Master was only available in precious metals.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II. This is the earlier model, first introduced in 2007, and later revised with a new movement in 2013. The overall look remained the same till 2017. Note the differences, which will be discussed in the section Dial, Case, Hands below.

Based on the success of the Yacht-Master, Rolex unveiled the Yacht-Master II in 2007 . This is a totally different kettle of fish. This is a true professional yachting watch incorporating a flyback chronograph and a programmable countdown timer. Two models made the debut lineup, a yellow gold Ref. 116688 and a white gold Ref . 116689. Both are professional regatta watches and equipped with the new manufacture caliber 4160. This new movement was derived from the then new in-house caliber 4130 used in the Daytona Cosmograph. To the 4130 base, Rolex added the additional features to make the 4160 the first watch in the world to be equipped with a programmable countdown function from 1 to 10 minutes with a mechanical memory.

For Baselworld 2013 , Rolex released a stainless steel version, the Ref. 116680 which featured an upgraded movement in the form of the C.4161. It remains unclear what changes were made to the movement, but we expect this to be routine upgrades to improve chronometry and serviceability.

And for Baselworld 2017, the Yacht-Master II was revised yet again. The updates were mainly dial side aesthetic changes, but the C.4161 now gains Rolex Chronometer Certification. The 2017 Editions were released in stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Curiously, Rolex chose to retain the reference numbers, and used 116680 for the new 2017 Edition of the Yacht-Master II in stainless steel.

The dial, case and hands

The case is the standard Rolex Oyster case, but much larger with a 44mm case diameter. The review sample was in 904L stainless steel. The case is water resistant to 100m, and is equipped with a Triplock crown. Interestingly the pushers for the chronograph is not screw down, despite the Triplock capabilities of the crown. Perhaps this is not a real concern, as the depth rating is only 10 atm.

The bracelet is also in solid 904L steel, with the Oysterlock clasp with the usual 5mm comfort extension built in. Rolex has retained the same case shape and dimension since the 2007 introduction. The case and bracelet is solidly built, as one would expect from Rolex.

The watch features a Cerachrom, Rolex-speak for ceramic, bezel in a mesmerisingly beautiful blue shade. This bezel is not changed since its introduction in 2007, and carries the countdown numbers of 0-10 in huge arabic numerals. And the name “Yacht-Master II” screaming out loud at 4 to 8 o’clock position. Normally, this author would find this screaming announcement to be a aesthetic disaster, but somehow, in this huge case, coupled with the calming blue hue and the bold graphics, it seem to be quite in character. Acquiring a strong, masculine persona . And yes, we say it, it is a rather handsome watch .

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a large case, measuring 44mm in diameter and a huge Cerachrom bexel in an amazing shade of mesmerising blue.

The main difference between Ref. 116680 (2013) and Ref. 116680 (2017) dials are as follows:

• most visibly, the hour minute hands on the 2017 edition have changed from slim hands to larger ones. The minute hand is skeletonised, and the hour hand carries the iconic “Mercedes” hands.
• an inverted triangle now marks the 12 o’clock hour marker and a rectangle marks the 6 o’clock in the new version, where the old one had square markers all round.

And that’s all! The bezel remains the same. The other graphic elements remains the same. The main dial remains in white lacquer, and the markings in blue. The hour markers are filled with blue Chromalight.

Legibility of the time, and all functions work well. This is critical in a professional race watch, as the heat of the race often gets the better of one, and it is easy to be confused and mis-read critical information.

The difference between the 2007 and 2017 version is in the hands which are enlarged to carry the signature Mercedes hands, and the hour markers which now feature an inverted triangle at 12 and a rectangle at 6.

Regatta Timing

The purpose of a regatta chronograph is not only to track racing time but also to count down the critical minutes before the racers cross the starting line. This is because, unlike an automobile, the yacht is not able to do a standing start. The yachts will have been already moving when they cross the starting line.

The “Fleet Race”, which takes place on a course marked by buoys, begins with a five, seven or ten-minute countdown at the end of which the yachts begin sailing the course. This countdown is pre-determined by race officials. During this decisive interval of time, the competitors strategically array themselves on the startling line – based on winds and, most importantly, keeping clear of other competitors – in order to cross the line as close as possible to the starting signal. It is the skipper’s role to ensure that his yacht will cross the start line as soon as possible after the starting signal to ensure a head start, but also not to cross the line before the signal to avoid penalty points.

A good start determines the success in this test of skill, tactics and technical expertise. And the standard regatta watch will not only have to be tough enough to withstand the rigours of racing, and the water, but also perform the countdown, and chronograph timing.

The Yacht-Master II retains excellent functionality for a complex countdown sequence required of a regatta timer. But is also useful for more mundane tasks like timing for cooking pasta, egg, or even hand pulling an espresso.

The Yacht-Master II regatta countdown

When it was first introduced in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was the only chronograph with a programmable countdown function. This is implemented by the use of the bezel, which is not a diving bezel, but is bi-directional. Rolex calls this the Command Ring. To activate the setting of the countdown function, the bezel is turned 90° counter clockwise. Then the pusher at 4 o’clock is depressed. The crown is then unscrewed, and pulled into its first position. Now the countdown hand, with the red triangle can be set as desired. It is set by moving the crown in one direction, which moves the hand in one minute intervals forwards. The hand retrogrades back to 10 after going past 0. Once the desired time is set, the crown is pushed back, screwed down, and the bezel returned to the “home” position. And the regatta timer is ready.

At the sound of the first gun, the skipper starts the chronograph as per normal. This begins the countdown function. As the chronograph is a flyback, he can reset the countdown at any time by depressing the pusher at 4 o’clock.  This is necessary if the skipper needs to re-synchronize his watch to race time.

The flyback works also to reset the countdown hand to the nearest minute. That is, for the first half of the minute it will retrograde back, and for the second half it will forward to the nearest minute. This feature is useful in regatta timing, as the second gun can sound for the race to begin,

Once the chronograph is stopped and reset, the countdown hand returns to its pre-programmed position, ready for the next race.

The setting function for the countdown chronograph is activated by twisting the bezel quarter turn clockwise. And set by a push of the pusher at 4 and the crown in a pulled out position. Once set, it operates seamlessly.

The movement

The movement is the Rolex in-house manufactured 4161, which is based on the Rolex 4130 used in the Daytona. The original Yacht-Master II had the 4060 movement, which was updated in 2013 to the 4161. In its latest iteration, the C.4161 carries additional minor modifications to meet the Rolex chronometer specifications of +/-2 seconds a day.

The Rolex C.4161 chronograph movement with countdown and bezel operated setting function for the programmable countdown function.

As is usual for Rolex, there is no display back, and the movement is not visible. We did not open the case back to view the movement. But we did see the movement out of its case in Baselworld, The photograph above is a stock pic from Rolex, and shows the movement. The chronograph features an integrated column wheel with a vertical clutch engagement.

Finishing is up to the usual Rolex specifications. Very well executed engineering level finish with no extraneous decorations. The movement is a proven to have been a robust one, with good chronometry capabilities. It is certified to both Rolex Chronometer Certification as well as COSC standards. The standard Rolex innovations of the Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring is fitted.

The competitive landscape

In recent years, the competitive landscape (or seascape) has started to be quite well populated. When Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master II in 2007, it was probably the first with the regatta countdown feature. In our current non-exhaustive survey, we include the following which we feel are interesting alternatives. At S$25,120 with GST, the Yacht-Master II in SS is reasonable value and compares well with the competition.

Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta  (S$ 24,500 with GST) is perhaps the best place to start. The UN features a world premiere of a bi-directional chronograph hand which automatically switches to countdown to count-up. This on itself is an interesting complication, requiring some 650 component in the in-house UN-155,caliber. The UN has a longer power reserve of 3 days.

Bremont Regatta   (S$9,000 with GST) is a more modestly priced competitor. It is a highly technical watch from Bremont, and lends much of its technology, mostly in materials, from the F1 and aerospace industry. The Bremont is a more regular chronograph dial with many sub-dials, which may tend to be a bit confusing in the melee of a race.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ETNZ (S$ 10,100 incl GST). The case is also in titanium with a ceramic bezel. The movement is quite advanced, featuring an in-house column wheel chronograph Omega C.3300 with Co-Axial escapement and a silicon balance spring. The watch is rated to a depth rating of 300m, while the Rolext is only rated to 100m. The Omega case is also 44mm, and it features a non programmable 5 minute countdown system incorporated into the 30 minute totalizer at 3 o’clock.

Maurice Lacroix Pantos S Regatta ( € 6,990 which converts to approximately S$10.700). The Maurice Lacroix is housed in a forged carbon fibre cage, and is rated to 200m. The movement is quoted as ML162, and we are not able to confirm the source of the base movement. The case is 45mm diameter so larger compared to the others. However, instead of 5 minute count down and 15 minute counters, it features a huge aperture on its dial revealing a rotating disc showing a count down from 10 minutes. This is shown as blue markers indicating “Ready” to 6 and then 5-0 section marked in red. At the 0, the pointer in the aperture indicates “Race”.

What the Yacht-Master II has going for it is the effortless way to set the programming for the countdown via the Command Ring. And also the fact that as it is a Rolex, resale prices would remain higher than its competition.

Concluding thoughts

As we hinted earlier in the review, we were prepared not to like the watch. It is large. It featured screamingly bold graphics. It seems rather expensive for a sports chronograph.

But as we got used to the watch, it is quite attractive. Very masculine, as we mentioned. The functionality is intuitive once one learns it, and it works flawlessly . The chronometry is excellent. And the wrist presence is quite imposing, though not in a negative way, but rather ascribes some gravitas to the wearer. The colour scheme of blue and white with accents of red, coupled with a clean dial sans sub-dials is outstanding in making it clear and legible. It has many things going for it. And eventually we succumb and fall in love with the Rolex Yacht-Master II .

On the wrist, the Yacht-Master II sits rather comfortably, even under the cuffs of a shirt and suit. It looks comfortably at home in this formal environment as it would on board a race yacht in the seas.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Specifications

Reference:  116680 Case : Oyster, 44 mm, steel Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown Diameter : 44 mm Material : 904L steel Bezel : Bidirectional rotatable Ring Command bezel. Blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic, engraved numerals and inscription Winding crown : Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire Water resistance : Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet Movement : Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph Calibre : 4161, Manufacture Rolex Precision : -2/+2 sec/day, after casing Functions : Centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o’clock. Programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. Stop-seconds for precise time setting Oscillator : Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring Winding : Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor Power Reserve:  Approximately 72 hours Bracelet : Oyster, flat three-piece links, 904L steel Clasp : Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link Dial : White, with highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence Certification : Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Price: S$25,120 with GST.

About Author

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Why do you find it strange that Rolex use the same reference when it is still the same watch. They only use a new reference for a major change in caliber, or case design/material.

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 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 3 172IAP For the Party of Bolsheviks with Nikolai Sheyenko May 1942 01

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

National origin:- Soviet Union Role:- Fighter Interceptor Manufacturer:- Mikoyan-Gurevich Designer:- First flight:- 29th October 1940 Introduction:- 1941 Status:- Retired 1945 Produced:- 1940-1941 Number built:- 3,422 Primary users:- Soviet Air Forces (VVS); Soviet Air Defence Forces (PVO); Soviet Naval Aviation Developed from:- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 Variants:- Mikoyan-Gurevich I-211 Operational history MiG-3s were delivered to frontline fighter regiments beginning in the spring of 1941 and were a handful for pilots accustomed to the lower-performance and docile Polikarpov I-152 and I-153 biplanes and the Polikarpov I-16 monoplane. It remained tricky and demanding to fly even after the extensive improvements made over the MiG-1. Many fighter regiments had not kept pace in training pilots to handle the MiG and the rapid pace of deliveries resulted in many units having more MiGs than trained pilots during the German invasion. By 1 June 1941, 1,029 MIG-3s were on strength, but there were only 494 trained pilots. In contrast to the untrained pilots of the 31st Fighter Regiment, those of the 4th Fighter Regiment were able to claim three German high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft shot down before war broke out in June 1941. However high-altitude combat of this sort was to prove to be uncommon on the Eastern Front where most air-to-air engagements were at altitudes well below 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). At these altitudes the MiG-3 was outclassed by the Bf 109 in all respects, and even by other new Soviet fighters such as the Yakovlev Yak-1. Furthermore, the shortage of ground-attack aircraft in 1941 forced it into that role as well, for which it was totally unsuited. Pilot Alexander E. Shvarev recalled: "The Mig was perfect at altitudes of 4,000 m and above. But at lower altitudes it was, as they say, 'a cow'. That was the first weakness. The second was its armament: weapons failure dogged this aircraft. The third weakness was its gunsights, which were inaccurate: that's why we closed in as much as we could and fired point blank." On 22 June 1941, most MiG-3s and MiG-1s were in the border military districts of the Soviet Union. The Leningrad Military District had 164, 135 were in the Baltic Military District, 233 in the Western Special Military District, 190 in the Kiev Military District and 195 in the Odessa Military District for a total of 917 on hand, of which only 81 were non-operational. An additional 64 MiGs were assigned to Naval Aviation, 38 in the Air Force of the Baltic Fleet and 26 in the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet. The 4th and 55th Fighter Regiments had most of the MiG-3s assigned to the Odessa Military District and their experiences on the first day of the war may be taken as typical. The 4th, an experienced unit, shot down a Romanian Bristol Blenheim reconnaissance bomber, confirmed by postwar research, and lost one aircraft which crashed into an obstacle on takeoff. The 55th was much less experienced with the MiG-3 and claimed three aircraft shot down, although recent research confirms only one German Henschel Hs 126 was 40% damaged, and suffered three pilots killed and nine aircraft lost. The most unusual case was the pair of MiG-3s dispatched from the 55th on a reconnaissance mission to PloieÅŸti that failed to properly calculate their fuel consumption and both were forced to land when they ran out of fuel. Most of the MiG-3s assigned to the interior military districts were transferred to the PVO where their lack of performance at low altitudes was not so important. On 10 July 299 were assigned to the PVO, the bulk of them belonging to the 6th PVO Corps at Moscow, while only 293 remained with the VVS, and 60 with the Naval Air Forces, a total of only 652 despite deliveries of several hundred aircraft. By 1 October, on the eve of the German offensive towards Moscow codenamed Operation Typhoon, only 257 were assigned to VVS units, 209 to the PVO, and 46 to the Navy, a total of only 512, a decrease of 140 fighters since 10 July, despite deliveries of over a thousand aircraft in the intervening period. By 5 December, the start of the Soviet counter-offensive that drove the Germans back from the gates of Moscow, the Navy had 33 MiGs on hand, the VVS 210, and the PVO 309. This was a total of 552, an increase of only 40 aircraft from 1 October. Over the winter of 1941-42 the Soviets transferred all of the remaining MiG-3s to the Navy and PVO so that on 1 May 1942 none were left on strength with the VVS. By 1 May 1942, Naval Aviation had 37 MiGs on strength, while the PVO had 323 on hand on 10 May. By 1 June 1944, the Navy had transferred all its aircraft to the PVO, which reported only 17 on its own strength, and all of those were gone by 1 January 1945. Undoubtedly more remained in training units and the like, but none were assigned to combat units by then.

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This webpage was updated 2nd August 2021