2 May 2019

All good things come in threes. Presented at Baselworld 2019, the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master in white gold (Ref. 226659) with the unprecedented diameter of 42 millimeters is an addition to the Yacht-Master Collection, proposed as an alternative to the models already present in the manufacturer’s catalogue with diameters of 40 and 37 mm. It is a new chapter of a story that began in the last century. In fact the Yacht-Master family, whose name immediately calls the sea and sailing to mind, was launched in 1992, but it is since the fifties that expert sailors and lovers of adventure have been able to count on a sturdy, accurate and reliable watch, the Submariner, to which the Yacht-Master is closely related. In addition to the innovation of the larger diameter, the Yacht-Master 42 is also the first model in the collection to be made of 18-carat white gold and to be equipped with the caliber 3235: a latest-generation mechanical movement made by Rolex and carrying the Superlative Chronometer certification that offers the functions of central hour, minute and second hands with a stop-seconds mechanism and provides a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. It is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 meters (330 feet), thanks to the Oyster case with monobloc bezel and the Triplock winding crown that is securely screwed down like the solid case back. The dial is in black lacquer and is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a Cyclops lens over the date positioned at 3 o’clock: the markers and ample hands in white gold are clearly visible against it, legible even in poor lighting conditions owing to the Chromalight display, the manufacturer’s trademark for the use of a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting, blue glow. Unlike in the 37 and 40 mm versions, the name Yacht-Master, visible at 6 o’clock, is printed in white instead of red or blue. The dial is framed by a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a knurled edge and an insert of black Cerachrom, a practically scratchproof ceramic able to maintain its color over time, even after prolonged exposure to sunshine. With a 60-minute graduation, the bezel has raised numerals and markers with a polished finish, contrasting with the sanded one of the bezel. The Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with an Oysterflex bracelet that combines the robustness of a metal bracelet with the comfort of an elastomer strap. The Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18-carat white gold prevents accidental opening, while the Glidelock extension system (approx. 15 mm) allows the watch to be adjusted to fit any wrist.

Rolex Giraglia Cup, 2018

Rolex Swan Cup, 2012.

Tuiga, pride of the Yacht Club de Monaco, during the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez regatta in 2012, sponsored by Rolex.