RLX Titanium Makes its Debut in Rolex’s Yacht-Master 42

Rolex is launching a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, featuring RLX titanium, a strong and lightweight alloy, for the first time. The watch’s technical satin finish extends to the middle case sides, edges of the bracelet links, and sides of the clasp cover, while the chamfered top edges of the middle case lugs have a high-sheen finish and the crown guard is polished. 

The Yacht-Master 42 retains the original model’s aesthetics with a black dial in a fine satin finish and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic. It is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement that displays the date and hours, minutes, and seconds, and carries the Superlative Chronometer certification. Since its launch in 1992, the Yacht-Master has been a popular choice among navigators and skippers. The watch is equally suited to nautical and everyday wear, with its functionality and nautical style. RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy with lightweight, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, with the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish.

Rolex was a pioneering brand in the development of high-tech ceramics used for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts that are virtually scratchproof, have rare color intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. The high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode thanks to its chemical composition, and Rolex has exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that provide it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components.

The Yacht-Master 42 features a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic, whose raised graduations and numerals are molded into the ceramic and then polished. The first 15 minutes are graduated minute-by-minute, providing great precision in time intervals. The bezel has a knurled edge, which offers excellent grip and makes it easy to turn.

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

The new Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a self-winding mechanical movement developed and manufactured entirely by Rolex. Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability, making it resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement has a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy, offering great stability in the face of temperature variations and high resistance to shocks. It is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance, and has an optimized ball bearing. The power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours, thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency.

The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted on an Oyster bracelet, made from RLX titanium, with ceramic inserts designed by the brand inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and longevity. The Oyster bracelet features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp that prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, allowing the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm.