The Rolex Yacht-Master II is considered the leader in the advancement of modern timepieces. Featuring a programmable countdown feature with a mechanical memory, this watch is admired for its ability to be accurately synchronized for regatta countdowns due an interaction between the bezel and the movement. Because of this feature, the Rolex Yacht Master II has become the most preferred timepiece among Yachting professionals.
Several components and technological improvements are present in the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II. The most unique feature, present only on this Rolex model, is the countdown counter. This attribute is a semi-circular shape that extends from the 8 o’clock position to the 4 o’clock position in demarcations from 0 to 10 minutes. The minute countdown hand keeps track of the minutes that remain while a seconds countdown hand displays the remaining seconds. A start/stop button is used to start or stop the countdown while the reset button can be used to set, program, and even synchronize the countdown.
The most advanced feature of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is the new generation caliber 4160 movement, which is made up of 360 parts. This never-before-seen movement has a unique design—the construction of a countdown mechanism using a column wheel and a vertical clutch. Because the countdown function is programmable and mechanical, the wearer can set the start of a regatta before the countdown time. This movement is 10 times more resistant to shock and magnetic fields and is fully certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
Another feature is the ring command bezel, which can rotate 90 degrees and contributes to the programmable countdown mechanism. The wearer only needs to remember the three steps: stopping the countdown; turning the bezel 90 degrees counter-clockwise; and programming the countdown then retuning the bezel to its original position.
The programmable countdown is what makes the Rolex Yacht-Master II such a magnificent timepiece. As mentioned before, the wearer of this wristwatch is able to program a countdown from 0 to 10 minutes. The process to use this feature is rather simple. Upon confirmation that the watch has been stopped, the ring command bezel must be turned 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Next, the reset button must be pushed and the winding crown must be unscrewed until the desired minute is reached. Once finished, the wearer turns the bezel to its original position and pushes in the reset button and the winding crown.
If the wearer starts the countdown too early or too late, he or she may make use of the synchronization feature by pushing the reset button. The minute countdown hand then jumps to the nearest minute forwards or backwards while the seconds countdown hand returns to zero.
Bert Levi Family Jewelers is not affiliated with Rolex SA, and nothing
in this content should be construed as an endorsement by Rolex. We
are not an Official Rolex Dealer, and if you are searching for a new
Rolex, you should visit Rolex.com in order to find an authorized
Dealer. We buy and sell pre-owned Rolexes only.