The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

At Watches & Wonders 2023, Rolex added to the rich legacy of the Yacht-Master collection with a new watch crafted in the brand’s proprietary titanium alloy. Titanium is one of the world’s strongest and lightest-weight metals, making it an ideal choice to meet the challenging rigors of open-sea sailing. This new robust Yacht-Master 42 is an excellent companion for professional and amateur yachtsmen alike.
CD Peacock’s hometown of Chicago rests on the shores of Lake Michigan, whose waters span an area of over 22,000 square miles. Chicagoans participate in water sports of all kinds, and boating, especially in the summer months, is a favorite leisure aquatic activity. Our annual Mackinac yacht race, first run in 1898, is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. Chicago also has the distinction of being a host city for the Rolex-sponsored international Sail GP race. In 2023, Sail GP will be held in Chicago on Lake Michigan on June 16th and 17th.
Certainly, the new Yacht-Master 42 would be an excellent tool to support navigators participating in either the Mackinac or Sail GP competitions. Please read on to discover the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42.

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

Light and robust, the new Yacht-Master 42, in RLX titanium, is the ally of those who revel in freedom. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it delivers exceptional performance.

Yachtmaster 42

>Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42. This nautical watch is introduced for the first time in RLX titanium – a particularly strong but lightweight alloy – and is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. The new version stands out for its technical satin finish – a satin finish with a visible grain, a feature of Rolex watches in RLX titanium – which extends to the middle case sides, the edges of the bracelet links and the sides of the clasp cover. The chamfered top edges of the middle case lugs have a high-sheen finish, while the crown guard is polished.

Rolex Yachtmaster-42
With its bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic featuring raised and polished numerals and graduations, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium remains faithful to the aesthetics of the original model, unveiled in 2019. It is graced with an intense black dial in a fine satin finish, and its Oyster bracelet is equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link.
The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the date as well as the hours, minutes, and seconds.
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

THE CALL OF THE OPEN SEAS

Launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers. Embodying the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s, this Professional-category watch provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water. An emblematic nautical timepiece, it is easily recognized by its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel made entirely from precious metal or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic.

Rolex Yacht-master-42

RLX TITANIUM

RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex. Like all titanium alloys, it is especially lightweight and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Another characteristic of RLX titanium is the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish according to the brand’s specifications. Its high mechanical strength makes it complex to work with, and the decision to use it has required the introduction of special production processes.

HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC

Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special Ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components.

Yachtmaster 42 Rolex
On the new version of the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom 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

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 42 mm Oyster case of the new Yacht-Master 42 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case is crafted from a solid block of RLX titanium. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, which features a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses.

Side Yachtmaster Rolex

PERPETUAL CALIBRE 3235

The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2015 and has been fitted on this model since its launch in 2019. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is now fitted with an optimized ball bearing.
Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding system 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.

OYSTER BRACELET AND OYSTERLOCK SAFETY CLASP

The new version of the Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

Side Yachtmaster 42 Rolex bracelet

The Oyster bracelet of this new version of the Yacht-Master 42 features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by Rolex, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. The Oyster bracelet in RLX titanium also includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.

Yachtmaster dial

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 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). The in-house certification tests apply 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 – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

Super
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.

Timekeeping Accuracy and Yacht Racing

The assurance of accurate timekeeping that the Rolex green seal represents is vital for yachting competition. At the beginning of a yacht race, skippers navigate into position ahead of the starting gun. During the last minutes before the start, boats maneuver to get into a position as close to the starting line as possible without crossing it. In yacht racing, seconds count, and a fast start can greatly affect the outcome of a race.

Yacht Rolex

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master’s 42’s bezel features a 60-minute graduated bezel, 15 minutes of which are marked in one-minute increments. The skipper can simply turn the bezel on the watch to count down to the start time. Both the elapsed time and the remaining time in the starting sequence can be read at a glance.

Yachtmaster laying down
Rolex has had a strong relationship with the world of competitive yachting for over six decades. Given Rolex’s dedication to performance and technical prowess, supporting yachting competitions is a natural fit for the brand. The prestige sport of competitive sailing is popular worldwide. Competing in a yacht race is as physically demanding as it is strategic.
Rolex partners with major regattas around the world, and two prominent racing circuits. The Sail GP championship, the newer of the two circuits, was launched in 2019. Featuring national teams competing with each other, Sail GP has quickly become a phenomenon in the racing world. Teams sail in state-of-the-art catamarans bearing the colors of their countries. At maximum speeds of up to 100 km/h, the Sail GP is thrilling to watch and draws spectators eager to witness the speed and precision that defines the race.
Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor of all time and a Rolex Testimonee, is a stalwart competitor in Sail GP. As the skipper of the Emirates GBR team, Sir Ben is enthusiastic about the global race and its future. “The Sail GP is a major milestone in the evolution of yachting. The boats use the most state-of-the-art technology while the competition continues to widen the appeal of sailing,” he has said. And this will continue into the years ahead, he predicts. “As the teams get better and the circuit gets bigger, its appeal will continue to grow, extending the reach of the sport.”
The Sail GP races are fiercely competitive, and each round lasts only about 15 minutes, making every second count. In contrast, our beloved Mackinac regatta in Chicago takes days to complete. The “Mac” is an endurance race over a 333-mile course. While split second timing may not be as crucial for our longer-ranging race, a reliable timepiece like the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is still an essential navigational tool.

Discover the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 at CD Peacock

We invite you to visit our Rolex showrooms in Oakbrook Center and at the Woodfield Mall. Our trained Rolex Sales Associates would be delighted to share the world of Rolex with you. Devoted Rolex collectors and prospective buyers alike are welcomed to engage in in-depth conversations about Rolex with us, and we have the knowledge and expertise to guide our clients towards choosing their perfect watch.
Many of our customers visit our showrooms just for a chat or a cup of coffee, knowing that our passion for Rolex watches will match theirs. As an Official Rolex Jeweler, we not only have highly trained and enthusiastic sales associates but also have specially trained Rolex watchmakers on site. Our clients are welcome to consult with our Rolex watchmakers, who can assist with anything from a strap change or bracelet resizing to a full service of your Rolex timepiece.
Rolex wall Rolex Wall Mobile
Keep Exploring

 

View Rolex Collection