If you have your eye on the rolex yacht-master (alternatively spelt Yachtmaster) watch, the good news is that owning a yacht master, or even sailing on one, is not a prerequisite for wearing this sporty timepiece that is an eclectic blend of elegance and technology.

But there is no denying that the Rolex Yacht-Master is the perfect accessory for high seas - sturdy, robust, water-resistant and submersible up to 330 feet (100 metres). Maybe that is why so many seafaring adventurers and top professional sailors like Paul Cayard, who was a skipper on America Cup and other sailing races, wouldn't leave the shore without it.

What makes it different from other models

Like other sports watches, the no-frills Yacht-Master is chunkier and rougher around the edges than the sleeker, more refined models that are pure wrist candy; it has to be in order to withstand the sometimes rough and unpredictable nautical conditions such as gusty winds, high waves, and stormy weather.

Although Rolex has been sponsoring yachting races and regattas since the early 1960s, the Yacht-Master, introduced in 1992, is one of the firm's newest models. It is also the first Rolex to receive the new "maxi dial" - enlarged markers and a thicker minute hand that has become this watch's trademark.

Why wear one?

Why would you want to wear a Yacht-Master if you plan to stay on terra firma? First of all, because, undeniably, a Rolex is never out of place. Secondly, this deceptively simple-looking watch is really very versatile. The dial and the embossed rotatable bezel are made entirely of solid platinum, and the Oyster bracelet of stainless steel, so this watch blends in easily for a dressy or casual look.

While, as I said, the actual act of yachting is not a requirement for wearing this watch, you will probably get more enjoyment out of it if, in the very least, you are a water sports or sailing enthusiast. If, on the other hand, you prefer to stay on dry land, why not consider a more elegant model, such as the DateJust for example?

Regardless, if you like the look and the feel of the Yachtmaster, you can wear it irrespective of whether you are getting your feet wet or staying on solid ground. If, however, you are going to dive, keep in mind that Yacht-Master is not impermeable at more than 330 feet. You would be better off with either the Submariner (submersible up to 1,000 feet / 300 metres), or the Sea-Dweller, which can be safely taken down to 4,000 feet (1,220 metres)

Wrapping up, think about it this way: with a Yacht-Master around your wrist, you will be at the helm wherever you are.