Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm Black Matte Dial Black Cerachrom Bezel Solid 18k Everose Gold Oysterflex Strap 116655 | 2020 Full Set — The Original “First” Yacht-Master

The Watch That Rewrote the Rules — The Original Everose Yacht-Master

In 2015, Rolex released a timepiece that was a first of many — the Everose Yacht-Master 116655. Most notably, it was the first time Rolex ever released a watch on an Oysterflex sport bracelet. It was also the first Yacht-Master to feature a ceramic bezel. The 116655 brought with it several firsts, not just for the Yacht-Master range, but for Rolex itself. In a single reference, Rolex simultaneously introduced the Oysterflex bracelet technology and the matte black Cerachrom bezel to the Yacht-Master family — two innovations that have since defined the direction of the entire line. The 116655 had a successful four-year production run, and was replaced by the 126655, which carries the upgraded Caliber 3235. That discontinuation is the 116655’s collector credential: it is the founding generation of the Everose Oysterflex Yacht-Master, the reference that introduced both technologies, produced for just four years, and now available only on the secondary market. This 2020 example — produced in the final year of a run that began in 2015 — is the most current and most refined expression of the founding generation available.

The Historical Significance of 2020 Production

A 2020 example is among the very last 116655 models produced before the reference was replaced by the 126655 in 2019. The discontinued 116655 is often considered more collectible due to its historical significance as the first Yacht-Master to feature both the Oysterflex bracelet and ceramic bezel. Its limited production run also adds to its appeal among collectors. For a buyer who wants the original Oysterflex Yacht-Master in its most refined late-production form — with the full benefit of any manufacturing refinements Rolex applied during the four-year run — a 2020-production example occupies the optimal position in the 116655’s production history.

Solid 18k Everose Gold — From Case to Clasp

The polished solid 18k Everose gold case is machined from Rolex’s proprietary Everose alloy — developed and produced in-house at Rolex’s own foundry in Geneva, with a platinum addition that stabilizes the warm pink-gold hue permanently against the color shift and fading that affects conventional rose gold. A watch built in Everose today will present with the same warm, rich character in twenty years as it does now. The 40mm Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 contains the Caliber 3135 automatic movement and features a 40mm Everose gold case. The case is sealed with a screw-down Twinlock crown rated to 100 meters of water resistance, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with Cyclops magnifying lens protects the dial and date window.

The Matte Black Cerachrom Bezel with Polished Raised Numerals

The matte black Cerachrom insert ceramic bezel features raised numerals and 60-minute graduations. The matte Cerachrom of the 116655’s bezel is immediately distinctive within the Rolex ceramic bezel family — where all other Cerachrom inserts carry a high-gloss finish, the Yacht-Master’s bezel is sandblasted to a deep, absorptive matte texture. What is very nice about the Cerachrom bezel is Rolex’s ability to craft it with the markers in relief — the contrast between the high polish of the three-dimensional markings against that gloriously muted, sandblasted ceramic gives the watch a character that we haven’t seen before. The polished raised numerals stand proud of the matte black field below them — each individually polished to catch light against the dark sandblasted surface — creating a depth and visual sophistication that flat-engraved bezels cannot replicate. Cerachrom is virtually scratchproof, completely corrosion-resistant, and entirely UV-stable.

The Matte Black Dial — Echoing the Bezel Above

The matte black dial echoes the matte black color and texture of the bezel — which is very rarely matte on a modern Rolex sports watch. This makes for a cool look that is both a bit more legible and aggressive looking than the slightly glossy Rolex Oyster sport watches. The black dial features markers filled with Chromalight — Rolex’s luminescent material — and will glow blue. Applied Everose gold hour markers with Chromalight fills provide strong legibility across all lighting conditions, and the matching Everose gold hands carry the same luminous material. The red “YACHT-MASTER” text at 6 o’clock is one of the most distinctive dial details of the reference — a single warm-toned accent against the cool matte black surface. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock beneath the Cyclops lens.

The Oysterflex Strap — The Innovation That Changed the Watch Industry

The comfort of the Oysterflex is undoubted. At its core is a titanium and nickel superelastic metal blade overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer, ensuring durability and value. The Oysterflex is not a rubber strap in the conventional sense: the internal metal blade provides the rigidity and security of a metal bracelet — it does not stretch, twist, or deform under tension — while the elastomer exterior delivers a comfort and flexibility that no metal bracelet can match, particularly in warm weather or active wear. It combines in a singular way the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort, and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. The strap closes with an Oysterlock safety clasp in solid 18k Everose gold — matching the case material — with an Easylink 5mm comfort extension for on-wrist adjustment.

Powered by Caliber 3135 — The Proven Movement of the Original Generation

The key difference between 116655 and 126655 lies in the movement. The 116655 uses the Caliber 3135 with Parachrom hairspring, while the 126655 moves to the next-generation Caliber 3235 with 70-hour power reserve. The Caliber 3135 is COSC Superlative Chronometer certified, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 31 jewels and a 48-hour power reserve. The Caliber 3135 powered Rolex’s flagship sport watches from 1988 through 2020 and is universally regarded by watchmakers as one of the most reliable and most thoroughly proven automatic movements ever produced.

Condition & What’s Included

This 2020 example is in very good condition, working perfectly. Full set with original Rolex box, papers, warranty booklet, manual, hang tags, and all accompanying documentation. Authenticity is fully guaranteed. 1-month seller warranty and 21-day refund policy inclusive.

Shipping & Contact

This watch ships at $24,800 fully insured worldwide. Call or WhatsApp: +1(415)433-9688. DM available.

Why This Reference Stands Out

The discontinued 116655 is often considered more collectible due to its historical significance as the first Yacht-Master to feature both the Oysterflex bracelet and ceramic bezel. Its limited production run adds to its appeal among collectors. Secondary market data confirms 116655 examples currently trading between $22,000 and $28,000 for full-set examples in very good condition, with 2020 late-production pieces at the upper range. At $24,800 for a 2020 full-set example in very good condition, this listing is positioned competitively within the established market range for the founding generation of the Everose Oysterflex Yacht-Master — an increasingly rare and increasingly recognized discontinued reference that introduced two of Rolex’s most significant recent innovations in a single watch.