Rolex Yacht-Master II returns with a redesigned regatta countdown

Rolex Yacht-Master II 126680-0001, 2026 regatta chronograph
Image: Rolex.

Rolex brings the Yacht-Master II back to its 2026 collection with a reworked approach to the regatta start. The nautical chronograph is offered in Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold, with a display designed to make the remaining countdown easier to follow.

A new way to set the countdown

Calibre 4162 allows the countdown to be programmed using the lower pusher. Both countdown hands now move counterclockwise, while mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronisation remain central to the watch’s race-timing function.

The important change is practical: the new operating sequence puts the focus on the minutes before a starting signal. It gives the returning Yacht-Master II a distinct technical story within Rolex’s latest line-up.

Source: Rolex official announcement. Editorial update: 21 October 2026.

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