Rolex released a second teaser earlier today, an unusual move, but a sign that the brand wants to mark the 100th anniversary of the Oyster strongly enough to warrant a separate video, which was first released on Friday.
The video released on Sunday is more typical of past Rolex clips, teasing in short succession a range of models from the new collection. Among the pieces, Rolex shows a chronograph with pushers resembling those of the discontinued Yacht-Master II, as they are lacking the screw-locks of the brand’s other chronograph, the Daytona. The three dots on the crown indicate a Triplock crown, while the larger dot in the middle suggests it is made of white gold, not steel. As the watch turns in the video, a blue bezel is visible, with minute graduations extending past the 15 mark, an unusual design for the bezel of a Yacht-Master, even for a Submariner.
It is unclear if Rolex will release a steel version, but the fact it is relaunching the Yacht-Master II line is worth writing about. The brand has strengthened its ties with SailGP since leaving Formula 1 and is right not to abandon the regatta countdown model. The relaunch would align with the new patent covered in these pages, which eliminates the use of a Ring Command bezel to program the watch. It would also mark the third collection launch in four years, after the 1908 and Land-Dweller.
Still, a new Yacht-Master II also suggests that a discontinuation at Rolex may be more of a pause, as the line was discontinued just two years ago, the shortest gap between a discontinuation and reintroduction at the brand. If the GMT-Master II “Pepsi” leaves the catalog in 2026, it may return sooner than expected, with a new patent, a new design and an excuse for Rolex to reposition pricing on one of its most sought-after watches.
Minute graduations extend past 15 on the 2026 Yacht-Master II bezel. (Credit: Rolex)