The Yacht-Master II is a watch intended for those in the yachting community. Similar to the real Yacht-Master in no way whatsoever, this hulking great vibrant behemoth contains one of the most technically impressive sophistications ever shoehorned inside the innovation of any replica watch brand.
It could also serve as the dictionary definition of the word ‘niche’ as a product. Powered by a new caliber that needed more than 35,000 man-hours to devise, the result was a watch that’s sole target was to assist yacht skippers to coordinate the beginning procedure of a sailing regatta. 
Demographically, it is a unique small purpose for the marketing department to aim for. However, while its looks have split opinion and are a world away from the handsome elegance that has been the fake Rolex hallmark for over 100 years, the Yacht-Master II has won plenty of fans.
Its concept and sheer audacity have also silenced many of the brand’s critics and, while not correctly opening the floodgates for a slew of multifunction models to come pouring out of their Geneva HQ, the Rolex has at least showed that, should they make up their mind to mix it up in the world of complications, they can compete with the best of them. 
The first of the series was unveiled available in either yellow or white gold finishes. In 2011, the watch appeared, a canny Rolesor variant, which blended 904L steel with Rolex’s warm Everose gold. The combination went a long way in toning down some of the Yacht-Master’s color scheme eccentricities and making it much easier on the eye.
The 44mm case, the biggest in the Rolex fleet, affords a large surface area for the dial designers to play with. And it’s just as well. There is much information displayed on the replica watch’s face, but the logical placement of each element gives it legible readability.
The main point to all this functionality exists in the Yacht-Master’s most conspicuous component, the bright blue bezel with its oversized, golden numerals. More than simply being the fake watch’s border, the bezel is the most important part of its overall operation.
It sounds like a convoluted affair, but as a matter of fact, there is a perfectly designed intuitiveness to getting the most out of the Yacht-Master. The Rolex engineers have pared down the process as much as possible, while still retaining all the essential performance.
By 2013, Rolex had perfected the purpose-built Cal. 4161 specifically for the Yacht-Master. Their most component-heavy caliber to date, it is constructed from 360 separate parts. As well as the improved accuracy and shock resistance provided by including the replica Rolex’s own Parachrom hairspring, the 31 jewels, high beat movement also has an increased power reserve of 72 hours thanks to its huge mainspring barrel.