The Yacht-Master joined the Rolex Professional range in 1992, but it interpreted the sea differently from the Submariner. Reference 16628 launched in 18k yellow gold with a bidirectional 60-minute bezel, polished details and 100 metres of water resistance. It was a nautical sports watch for timing intervals above water, not a saturation-diving instrument.
The collection broadened in 1999 with Rolesium reference 16622, combining an Oystersteel case and bracelet with a platinum bezel and dial. The raised polished numerals against a sand-blasted bezel became the model's most recognisable surface. Smaller sizes widened the range, while the 40 mm case remained central. In 2015 the Everose-gold 116655 introduced the Oysterflex bracelet, whose elastomer exterior contains flexible metal blades and sits on a patented cushion system.
The current 126622 uses caliber 3235 and retains the 40 mm Rolesium formula. Rolex added a 42 mm white-gold Yacht-Master in 2019 and later the 226627 in RLX titanium, shifting the family toward a visibly technical, lightweight execution. Because polished cases, raised bezel numerals and bracelet centre links show refinishing readily, pre-owned condition is easy to misread. Check bezel relief, lug symmetry, clasp code, dial variant and whether the supplied bracelet or Oysterflex components match the exact suffix.
