Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold Review

Table of Contents

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 – White Gold Luxury Sports Watch Review

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is Rolex’s largest regular-production Yacht-Master model, first introduced at Baselworld 2019. Crafted in solid 18K white gold and paired with an OysterFlex strap, this watch represents a perfect blend of luxury, sportiness and modern nautical engineering.

Unlike traditional stainless steel sports Rolex models, this reference is aimed at collectors who prefer precious metals while maintaining a sporty and practical profile. Its design communicates elegance without sacrificing robustness, making it suitable for both marine environments and daily urban lifestyle.

42mm White Gold Case & Cerachrom Bezel

The 42mm Oyster case is made from Rolex’s proprietary 18K white gold alloy, known for its excellent resistance to corrosion and long-lasting brilliance. Despite its precious metal construction, the watch wears comfortably thanks to its balanced proportions and lightweight rubber strap design.

The black Cerachrom ceramic bezel operates in a bidirectional rotation and features raised polished numerals on a satin base. This bezel not only provides high scratch resistance, but also ensures excellent legibility in bright sunlight and maritime conditions.

Dial Design & Legibility in Yacht-Master 42

The glossy black lacquer dial maintains the iconic Rolex sport aesthetic. Large luminous hour markers, the Mercedes hour hand, and the Cyclops magnifier at 3 o’clock provide a familiar and functional layout.

On this 42mm version, Rolex subtly reworked the proportions of the markers and hands to enhance visual balance without making the dial appear oversized. Chromalight lume delivers a long-lasting blue glow, ideal for low-light situations such as night sailing or indoor environments.

Calibre 3235 Automatic Movement

At the heart of this luxury sports watch is the Rolex Calibre 3235 — one of the brand’s most advanced automatic movements.

Key features include:

Operating frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: Approx. 70 hours
Chronergy escapement for higher efficiency
Blue Parachrom hairspring for anti-shock and anti-magnetic performance

The movement is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, delivering precision of -2/+2 seconds per day after casing.

OysterFlex Strap & Glidelock Clasp

Instead of a traditional gold bracelet, this model comes with Rolex’s OysterFlex rubber strap. Internally reinforced with a titanium-nickel blade, it provides durability and structure while remaining extremely comfortable.

The strap is secured by an 18K white gold folding clasp with the Glidelock extension system, allowing fine adjustment without tools — a feature especially useful for daily wear and fluctuating wrist sizes.

Price & Market Position

The recommended retail price of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in white gold is around:

€24,500

In the secondary market, prices may vary depending on overall demand and availability. While it does not have the same hype as stainless steel models like the Submariner, it holds strong appeal among collectors looking for understated luxury combined with sport functionality.