Short answer

A fake Rolex Yacht-Master is a copy of a Rolex sports watch that Rolex has sold since 1992. Copies come in four case sizes: 37mm, 40mm, 42mm, and 44mm for the Yacht-Master II. Prices run from about $80 for quartz to $650 for a 1:1 copy with a clone 3235 movement. A real steel Yacht-Master 40 sells near $12,000. Gold models pass $40,000. Replicas do not hold value. US law bars import of counterfeit goods under 19 U.S.C. § 1526.

Model lines and case sizes

  • Yacht-Master 37: ref. 268622 (steel, platinum bezel), ref. 268655 (Everose gold). Case 37mm.
  • Yacht-Master 40: ref. 126622 (steel, platinum bezel), ref. 126655 (Everose gold on Oysterflex). Case 40mm, lug width 20mm.
  • Yacht-Master 42: ref. 226659 (white gold), ref. 226658 (yellow gold), ref. 226627 (RLX titanium). Case 42mm, lug width 21mm, caliber 3235.
  • Yacht-Master II: ref. 116680. Case 44mm, caliber 4161, regatta countdown.

Bezel

The Yacht-Master bezel turns both ways. That separates it from Submariner bezels, which turn one way. Numerals sit in relief on a matte insert. Steel refs use a platinum insert. Rolex calls the steel and platinum pair Rolesium. Gold refs use ceramic or gold. On replicas the numeral relief is shallow and the matte grain is too fine. A real platinum insert has a coarse grain that catches light at an angle.

Dial and date

Dial text runs: coronet, ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, YACHT-MASTER, depth rating. Check the spacing between the coronet and the word ROLEX. The date font uses a flat-top 4 and a wide 1. Cyclops magnification is 2.5x. Lume is Chromalight and glows blue. Many replicas glow green and dim within 30 minutes.

Movements found in replicas

  1. Quartz. No sweep. The second hand ticks once per second.
  2. Asian 2836-2. 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, 38 to 40 hour reserve. Cheap and easy to service.
  3. Clone 3135 and clone 3235. 28,800 vph. The clone 3235 copies the 70-hour reserve and the Chronergy escapement of the real caliber. Real calibers: 3135 has 48 hours and 31 jewels. 3235 has 70 hours and 31 jewels.

Bracelets

Steel refs use the Oyster bracelet, three links, 20mm at the lugs. Gold refs use Oysterflex, a rubber strap with a titanium blade bonded inside. Replica Oysterflex uses solid rubber with no blade, so it stretches and sits flat on the wrist. Clasps are Oysterlock with a 5mm Easylink extension.

Water resistance

Rolex rates the Yacht-Master at 100 meters (330 feet). Replicas ship without a pressure test. Case back gaskets in $80 to $150 copies fail at 30 meters in most pressure tests. Do not swim or shower with a replica.

Price tiers

  • $80 to $150: quartz or low-grade automatic, mineral crystal, stamped clasp, 316L steel.
  • $200 to $350: Asian 2836-2, sapphire crystal, screw links, 316L or 904L steel.
  • $400 to $650: clone 3135 or 3235, 904L steel, ceramic or platinum-style bezel insert, tighter end link fit.

Checks before you buy

  1. Match the case size to the reference number. A 42mm case sold as ref. 126622 is wrong. That ref is 40mm.
  2. Check lug width. 20mm on 40mm refs, 21mm on 42mm refs.
  3. Count bezel clicks. Real Yacht-Master bezels have 120 positions and turn both ways.
  4. Ask for movement photos. A 2836 shows a different balance bridge than a clone 3135.
  5. Weigh the watch. Gold models weigh more than steel, so a plated copy feels light for a gold reference.

Gold plating wears at the lugs and the clasp within months. Solid gold copies exist and cost more than $1,500. Most factories use plating or a tungsten core.