The watch world got a teaser of a new sports watch in Titanium from Rolex a few years ago when images surfaced of British sailor, Ben Ainslie wearing what looked like a darker, brushed version of a Yacht-Master. This year, the wait was over!
Love them or hate them, Rolex is a brand that the entire watch world goes crazy with anticipation in the lead up to Watches and Wonders each year. The questions that people start asking sound like: What models will be discontinued? What models will be given an overhaul? Will a collection be brought back to life? Or will we see a new model line, or watch to add to an existing line come out? And then on cue, 8:30am Geneva time, our socials are spammed with the new Rolex models. Quite often, we start seeing leaks a week prior and this year, thanks to some ill-timed (or some would say strategic) ad placements, we saw the models start popping up the day prior online via sponsored ad links… Oops!
Whilst the Daytona was on everyone’s lips, the new Rolex Yacht-Master in Titanium caught my eye. Out of all of the releases from Rolex this year, this would be the one that I’ll be putting my name down for. Why? Its just cool, and I love the style that is has going for it. And whilst the Yacht-Master is an offshoot of the Submariner, it’s carved out it’s place in the Rolex catalogue and offers something a little different to the Submariner and Sea-Dweller line.
First Impressions
When the press release photo’s first hit my inbox, I jumped straight to the Yacht-Master Ti, skipping the Daytona, the new GMT and even the Perpetual 1908 that replaced in essence, the Cellini. I’d seen glimpses of it, and now confirmed, needed to check it out.
It’s a good looking watch. Whilst being a slightly larger 42mm, it joins the white and yellow gold in this size, sitting nicely between the 41mm Submariner and the 43mm Sea-Dweller. With a host of new innovations on this model setting it apart from the current collection, the new Yacht-Master Titanium is something to take note of.
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.
Rolex
The new Yacht-Master Titanium is satin brushed with quite 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. Unlike the current Yacht-Master collection, this new version has chamfered lugs with a high polish as does the crown guard. This chamfering seamlessly flows down from the crown guard in a fine line and expands down the lugs, breaking up the brushed graining on the case – a nice touch and nod to Rolex vintage models.
The bezel is the same inverse black ceramic bezel found on the precious metal Yacht-Masters, with the numerals raised and polished and the bezel media-blasted. This look stays true to the original model launched in 2019, and one that is carried through the Yacht-Master collection. The bezel is of course bi-directional, a central feature on all Yacht-Master models to allow the timing within races. Rounding out the aesthetics is the intense black dial with contrasting indices filled with Rolex Chromalight creating maximum legibility in both day and night – a trait that all Rolex professional sports models have become known for.
Under The Hood
The Yacht-Master Titanium has the Manufacture calibre 3235, a stable across a range of models with the date function, including the Submariners, Sea-Dwellers and even the Date-Just. It’s a tried and tested movement that is superlative chronometer certified and runs within a -2/+2 seconds a day.
This isn’t a new movement, nor does it need to be given it’s high standard of reliability. We saw the introduction of this back in 2015 and now runs standard across the Yacht-Master collection. It has the Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, making it effectively anti-magnetic, and the high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers means the Yacht-Master can handle most situations that are thrown at it. And of course, has 70 hours or power reserve, now becoming standard across the brand.
Built For Comfort And Durability
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. A small but important innovation on this Oyster bracelet in RLX titanium is the inclusion of the patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.
The one omission that I feel Rolex could had added, and should have added is the Glidelock clasp extension. In my mind, the 5cm Easylink is great for dive watches as it allows for the wearer to easily extend the bracelet and slip over a wetsuit. However, on the Yacht-Master, it would have made more sense to remove this, and instead include the Glidelock extension as a much more useful day to day feature. If the Easylink has been removed from the Deep-Sea, where it is highly appropriate, then it probably has no place on the Yacht-Master. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Final Thoughts
The Rolex Yacht-Master Titanium gives the Yacht-Master collection the tool watch it needed, designed for purpose and the professional in mind. However, most of us who will end up buying this are not Ben Ainslie, and will be wearing this day to day. The brushed Titanium case and high polish chamfering on the lugs and crown guards make it more casual and sporty, and the black high tech ceramic bezel and intense black dial gives this watch more of a stealthy look, compared to the Yacht-Master 40 or precious metal variants.
The addition of the Yacht-Master Titanium now gives people a less refined option, and I mean this in a good way. Don’t like the 42mm yellow or white gold options or you find the 40mm Yacht-Master 40 too small and a little too dressy? The 42mm Yacht-Master in RLX Titanium may just be what you’re looking for.
Reference: 226627
Specifications:
- Case: 42 mm
- Case Material: Brushed RLX Titanium
- Dial: Intense Black dial with Chromalight indices and hands
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, cyclops lens over the date
- Bezel: Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matt black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations
- Water resistance: 100 metres, screw-down triplock crown and oyster case
- Movement: Rolex 3235 – automatic self-winding perpetual accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day. Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairsprin & High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
- Power reserve: 70 Hours
- Bracelet: Three link Oyster bracelet in RLX Titanium with folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5mm comfort extension link
- Warranty: 5 years factory warranty
