Watch Of The Week: The New Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

For the first time, the iconic Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is available in yellow gold.

Photo Credit: Rolex

Previously offered exclusive in 18 carat white gold, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 will be available in 18 carat yellow gold from here on out.

The Yacht-Master was originally launched in 1992 and specifically designed for navigators and skippers. The watch provides the ultimate blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally suitable on and off the water. The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 carries the celebrated bidirectional rotatable bezel, which is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matte black ceramic.

The Yacht-Master’s oyster case, its symbol of water resistance, guaranteed to be waterproof up to 100 meters underwater. 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 case provides ultimate protection for the watches movement.

Photo Credit: Rolex

The caliber 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, is equipped within the new version of the Yacht-Master 42. The movement originally released 2015 but has been fitted in this model since it launched in 2019. Caliber 3235 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the movement’s power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.

The new yellow gold Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. Developed by Rolex and patented, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible, curved metal blades overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and very durable.

Photo Credit: Rolex

The Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with the Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct yellow gold, which prevents accidental opening. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, which was designed and patented by the brand.

As is the case with all Rolex watches, the new yellow gold Yacht-Master 42 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This 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, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).