Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 (Specifications and Price)
Rolex is extending its Yacht-Master range with a new 42 mm model, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42.
Yacht-Master sailing watches are recognizable thanks to their distinctive bidirectional rotatable bezel with a raised 60-minute graduation. The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic that perfectly complements its black lacquer dial. Created from 18 ct white gold, this new watch heralds the arrival of this precious metal on a Yacht-Master model. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the pro le of the Oyster case.
Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.
This new model is equipped with calibre 3235 – at the forefront of watchmaking technology – a first for the Yacht-Master range.
Like all Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master 42 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
High-technology ceramic
Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for monobloc bezels and monobloc bezel inserts. Not only are these new materials extremely corrosion-resistant and virtually scratch- proof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and unaffected by ultraviolet rays. The brand has developed exclusive expertise and innovative high-technology manufacturing methods that allow it to produce these ceramic components completely independently.
On the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in matt black ceramic. Its raised graduations and numerals are first moulded into the ceramic and then polished. The first 15 minutes are graduated minute-by-minute to allow time intervals to be read with great precision. The bezel can also be turned with ease thanks to its knurled edge, which offers excellent grip.
The Oyster case, symbol of waterproofness
The Yacht-Master 42’s Oyster case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid piece of 18 ct white gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The winding crown, fitted with the Triplock triple waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case and is protected by an integral crown guard. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the Yacht-Master 42’s high-precision movement.
Perpetual calibre 3235
The Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, at the forefront of the art of watchmaking, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.
Calibre 3235 incorporates the Chronergy escapement patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring its regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed and -patented high-performance Para ex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.
Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours. This calibre equips a Yacht-Master watch for the first time.
Superlative Chronometer certification
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, which exceed watchmaking norms and standards. The certification applies to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day, or more than twice that required of an official chronometer.
The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
Oysterflex bracelet and Oysterlock safety clasp
The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with an Oyster ex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. Developed and patented by Rolex, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible metal blades manufactured from a titanium and nickel alloy. The blades are overmoulded with black high-performance elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and very durable. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oyster ex bracelet is equipped with longitudinal cushions that stabilize the watch on the wrist.
The Oyster ex bracelet on this new model is equipped with a Rolex-designed and -patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct white gold, which prevents accidental opening. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, designed and patented by the brand. This inventive toothed mechanism, integrated beneath the clasp, allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length by some 15 mm in increments of approximately 2.5 mm, without the use of tools.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42
Technical specifications:
Ref. 226659
Case
• Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Safety
• Integral crown guard
Diameter
• 42 mm
MATERIAL
• 18 ct white gold
Middle Case
• 18 ct white gold, polished finish
Bezel
• 18 ct white gold, bidirectional rotatable
• 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic; polished, raised graduations and numerals, first 15 minutes graduated minute-by-minute
Case Back
• Solid, screw-down with fine fluting
WINDING CROWN
• Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system
Crystal
• Scratch-resistant sapphire
• Cyclops lens over the date with double anti-reflective coating
Waterproofness
• 100 metres (330 feet)
Movement
• Calibre 3235, Manufacture Rolex
• Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Precision
• −2/+2 sec/day, after casing
Functions
• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
• Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock with secure rapid-setting
• Stop-seconds for exact time setting
Oscillator
• Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)
• Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring
• Rolex overcoil
• Large balance wheel with variable inertia
• High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts
• Traversing balance bridge
• High-performance Para ex shock absorbers
Escapement
• Chronergy with optimized energy efficiency
• Paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel
Jewelling
• 31 rubies
Power Reserve
• Approximately 70 hours
Dial
• Black lacquer
• Hour markers in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
• Hands in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
Bracelet
• Oysterflex
• Flexible metal blades overmoulded with high-performance elastomer
• Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct white gold
• Rolex Glidelock extension system (approx. 15 mm in increments of approx. 2.5 mm)
The Price for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is CHF 26,500.
