Rediscovering the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor

James Robinson

Editor’s note: It’s easy for the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor to get lost in the perpetual noise caused by some of its more popular siblings within Rolex’s Professional range.

But to simply overlook this wristwatch would be a categorical mistake, because the Yacht-Master 40 has a great many positives when compared not just to timepieces from other manufacturers, but even other watches within the aforementioned Professional collection.

For a start, because the Yacht-Master 40 is only waterproof to 100 metres, its case is actually a fair bit slimmer than something like the Submariner. This means that it’s arguably more versatile, fitting under a cuff, for example, far more easily.

In addition, the Yacht-Master 40 houses Rolex’s Calibre 3235 movement, which is the Swiss marque’s latest generation movement and features the patented “Chronergy” escapement, Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and offers customers 70 hours of power reserve.

And lastly, as our man Felix Scholz mentioned when he went hands-on with the watch, due to its distinctively dazzling 18k Everose Rolesor metal combination and arresting sunburst brown dial, the Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor has proper genderless bandwidth, and could be the perfect ‘his and hers’ timepiece.

Last year Rolex released the stealth-wealthy Everose, Cerachrom and Oysterflex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655, a watch that shifted the skipper’s watch from the periphery of the catalogue to front and centre. It all but stole the show. This year Rolex’s renewed interest in the line continues, with this sumptuous Rolesor version, topped off by a new chocolate dial. It’s a combination that well and truly ignites the category of the ‘couple watch’, perfectly viable for him, or her, or better still, for both.

This is not an under-the-radar watch (as you can see from our video review). If the polished Everose centre links and softer sand-blasted bezel didn’t automatically rule it out, the deep sunburst of the brown dial seals the deal. And even though it’s no shrinking violet on the wrist, it’s far from gaudy. There’s a great balance to it – all the elements and finishings are in harmony with each other. The dial would overwhelm a plainer case, and the gilt logo and red ‘Yacht-Master’ text add some variety and balance to the otherwise overwhelming combination.

It’s also a Rolex that truly offers you the best of both worlds. Not only does the two-tone watch offer the utility of steel and lustre of gold, as well as a pleasing mix of sports and leisure, it’s also a truly unisex piece. 40mm is on the larger size for a woman’s watch – but by no means would it be considered oversize. And the warm tones and precious metal combo means that it doesn’t come off as just another ‘boyfriend’ watch. On the other hand, the classic Oyster design ensures that ‘delicate’ isn’t a word that would ever be used to describe this piece.

This Rolesor and Everose Yacht-Master is undeniably rich, but not so over-the-top as to stop you wanting more.

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor (ref. 116621) Australian pricing

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor, reference 116621, $17,800

Images by Jason Reekie.