The regatta timer is used by the skipper of a yacht to determine when their vessel can cross the starting line. The countdown is usually under ten minutes, allowing the boats to prepare for the race ahead by tacking back and forth at the starting line. Having a precise timer at this point is essential as not penalized by crossing the staring line preemptively.

The Yacht-Master II has a flyback regatta timer that allows the wearer to time the countdown for a chosen period of up to ten minutes. In addition, the countdown can be adjusted while in use so that it can be as accurate as possible in accordance to the audible signals given at the start of race. The blue “Command Bezel,” as named by Rolex, can be turned to set the countdown timer and the re-set button allows the seconds hand to fly back to zero and the minute hand to fly to the nearest minute, allowing for incredible precision.

With a strong nautical feel, the present watch stands out because of its bright blue bezel, red countdown hand and large white dial. Furthermore, this special limited edition timepiece celebrates 100 years of The Panama Canal, a 77 kilometer ship canal which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, first used in 1914.