The Watch of the Open Seas

Sleek and distinguished, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, like the rest of the Yacht-Master range, celebrates the tie between Rolex and the world of sailing. The iconic nautical timepiece has now been introduced for the first time with a 42 mm diameter, setting it apart from the rest

Fans of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42, the nautical-themed sports luxury timepiece, have a 'big' reason to cheer. Recognising a need to go 'big', the brand launched a new Yacht-Master with a larger proportion, not to mention a host of other sporty details and upgrades.

Yacht-Master sailing watches have always been recognisable, thanks to their distinctive bidirectional rotatable bezel with a raised 60-minute graduation. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic that perfectly complements its black lacquer dial. Created from 18-carat white gold, the new watch heralds the arrival of this precious metal on a Yacht-Master model. The light reflects on the sides and lugs, highlighting the profile of the Oyster case. Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, 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.

What's the calibre?

The 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. The Yacht-Master 42 comes 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 and patented by Rolex, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible metal blades manufactured from a titanium and nickel alloy. The blades are over-moulded with black high-performance elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and is very durable. For an enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with longitudinal cushions that stabilise the watch on the wrist.  The Oysterflex bracelet on the new model is further equipped with a Rolex-designed and patented Oysterlock-folding safety clasp in 18-carat white gold, which prevents accidental opening. 

Watch wave

At sea, survival depends greatly on the accuracy of onboard chronometers. A captain needs to know the exact time in order to calculate longitude — a coordinate that, in correlation with latitude (itself determined by the height of the Sun, or at night by another star in relation to the horizon line), gives the position of the boat on the globe. Until the beginning of the 20th century, large clock chronometers were the only instruments capable of providing the required accuracy on the high seas. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, set about changing this. Convinced that the wristwatch represented the future of the watchmaking industry, he was intent on proving that this small timepiece could rival the precision of the best marine clocks.

By 1926, Rolex had invented the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster, and in 1931, the first wristwatch self-winding system with a free rotor, called the Perpetual. These patented innovations and landmarks in watchmaking formed the foundation for today’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II. Rolex used the world as a real-life proving ground for the Oyster, demonstrating, time and again, its reliability in the most extreme conditions — be it at sea, in the depths of the ocean, on land, in the air or at the tallest peaks. By being associated with so many achievements, Rolex watches established themselves as a trusted reference. Waterproof, robust and accurate, Rolex Oyster Perpetual chronometers are uniquely suited to life at the helm. 

Sailing through time

Over the past 60 years, Rolex has forged a privileged relationship with yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical sport and its time-honoured values. Today, Rolex is the committed partner of the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions as well as regattas in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit.

Through its partnerships with the prime movers behind the sport, Rolex has helped develop and promote some of the world’s leading yachting events; events where owners and sailors are assured of fair competitive racing as well as convivial social occasions ashore. Rolex regattas form a natural calendar, allowing crews and yachts to travel between them, reassured that the Rolex association is a seal of authenticity. It is a guarantee that will be kept both on and off the water, the race, or regatta, with the competitors’ best interest at heart.