Day-Date 218231 replica

While everyone is focusing on the new product, few people pay attention to the news of the old model being discontinued. Not long ago, Rolex quietly removed the Yacht-Master II from its website. Launched in 2007, this collection took a very different approach from regular chronographs with its large 44mm diameter and unique countdown chronograph function.

Looking at the Rolex product line, there are “first” basic models, “second generation” with complications, and explorers. However, it didn’t become a classic like the Explorer II, and now its product life cycle has come to an end.

The original Rolex Yacht-Master was introduced in 1992 and, although its look is similar to the famous Submariner (Water Spirit), the Yacht-Master is not a diver’s watch, as it’s only water-resistant to 100 meters.  As a result, the collection features luxury through precious metals (950 platinum, 18-carat gold).

Luxurious but not very practical, it is the feedback on the Yacht-Master I, which led to the creation of the more “professional” Yacht-Master II in 2007. Compared to the Explorer II, which is also a Gen 2, the Yacht-Master II has a more radical design, including a large 44mm diameter, a Cerachrom ceramic insert, and a pencil hand (which was later changed to a Mercedes-Benz hand for the 2017 model). In terms of materials, unlike the Yacht-Master I, which must use precious metals, the Yacht-Master II is also available in Oyster Steel (904L).

In 2017, Rolex updated its Yacht-Master II line for the last time. For the 2017 model, the shape of the hands was changed from “pencil hand” to “Mercedes-Benz hand” while keeping the model number (or adding 0002 at the end).