Rolex have mastered many materials over the years, often putting their own twist on it through alloys such as Rolesor. However, they’ve barely broken the surface with one of the most popular and high-tech watchmaking materials, titanium, with last year’s Deepsea Challenge. Now, Rolex are determined to show that it wasn’t a one-off with the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium.
A titanium Yacht-Master makes a lot of sense, combining lightness and strength with corrosion resistant properties. All of which are desirable traits in a large, 42mm diameter, aquatic-themed watch. Additionally, the darker tone of the metal suits the black dial and matching Cerachrom diving bezel. In total, the use of titanium makes this watch about one third lighter than an equivalent watch in steel – that’s going to make a big difference across a full day.
Beyond the introduction of a new material to the Yacht-Master collection, this is watch mostly consists of elements we’ve already seen. For example, the style of the numerals on the bezel and the overall display is faithful to the 2019 edition, maintaining the signature aesthetic of the collection.
Although, with a new titanium case comes a new titanium bracelet. The Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium features a classic Oyster style with thick, three-piece links, which have improved flexibility thanks to the use of ceramic inserts inside. It’s finished with satin brushing, as is the case itself, all the way up to the Oysterlock safety clasp.
Housed inside is the calibre 3235 with superlative chronometer certification. That means it has a 70-hour power reserve with Rolex’s perpetual system and accuracy of +2/-2 seconds per day. It’s certainly an impressive movement and Rolex have used a handful of times across the Yacht-Master and Sea-Dweller ranges.
Ultimately, the Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium was an inevitability as soon as Rolex first broke the titanium ice with the Deepsea Challenge and it’s pretty much everything you would expect. Priced at CHF 13,400 (approx. £11,900), it’s solidly in the mid-range of Yacht-Master prices, which is where you’d expect titanium to be.
Price & Specs:
- Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42
- Ref: 226627
- Case/dial: 42mm diameter, RLX titanium case, intense black dial with bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matte black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations, Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence
- Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
- Movement: Calibre 3235, in-house, bidirectional automatic movement with perpetual rotor and Parachrom hairspring, Chronergy escapement, Superlative Chronometer (COSC-certified), 31 jewels
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: 70h
- Functions: Hours, minute, seconds, date
- Strap: RLX titanium three-piece bracelet with folding Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink 5mm comfort extension link
- Price/availability: £11,800
More details at Rolex.
