Rolex has released new innovations on one of its most iconic collections, including the Yacht-Master, the Cosmograph Daytona, and the Sky-Dweller.
Watchmaker Rolex continues to innovate on both movements and aesthetics as it releases a range of new takes on some of its most popular models. Here are a few of our favourites.
Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42
As part of a raft of new releases, Rolex has revisited its iconic Yacht-Master timepiece, presenting the iconic watch in RLX titanium. First launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers, embodying the brand’s rich sailing heritage with a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style. 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.
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Now, equally light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, is presented for the first time in RLX titanium, a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. 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.
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 and is graced with an intense black dial in a fine satin finish.
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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 and 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, while 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 new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, which 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, while the movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy, which offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks.
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Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Another new release, Rolex presents its new-generation Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, which has been updated across the entire range. Launched in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the needs of professional racing drivers. Fitted with a tachymetric bezel and a high-performance mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, this now legendary chronograph is the instrument of choice for measuring time intervals and determining average speeds. Now, the singular design of the case and face has characterized the chronograph since its launch and has now been revisited with subtle refinements to a number of details.
The dial receives new graphic balance, and harmonious colour combinations accentuate the contrast between the dial and the counters – or their rings. The Oyster case has been redesigned, and its profile is highlighted by the light reflections on the lugs and case sides. On versions with a Cerachrom bezel, the bezel is edged with a thin band of the same metal as the middle case.
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For this year, the Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4131. This new chronograph movement, an evolution of calibre 4130, incorporates a number of major innovations, including the Chronergy escapement. The calibre features a cut-out oscillating weight and completely new finishes – notably on the bridges, which are embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, the brand’s reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking. The Calibre 4131 enables the Cosmograph Daytona to measure intervals of time via the chronograph function, in addition to displaying the hours, minutes and seconds.
Among the versions of the new-generation Cosmograph Daytona presented, the one fashioned in 950 platinum, recognizable by its ice blue dial, is equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in chestnut brown ceramic. On the variant in Oystersteel with a white lacquer dial, and the watch in 18 ct yellow gold with a golden dial and bright black counters, the Cerachrom bezel is in black ceramic. The recessed graduations, numerals and inscriptions on the tachymetric scale are moulded and then coated with a thin layer of platinum or yellow gold via a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process. A prestigious and iconic watch, the Cosmograph Daytona in 950 platinum now features a transparent case back as well as an oscillating weight made of 18 ct yellow gold.
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Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
Rolex has also restyled its Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, recognized for its ease of use and modern design, by introducing aesthetic and technical enhancements. This watch for world travellers is offered, for the first time, in an 18 ct white gold version on an Oysterflex bracelet, while the range also returns with a black elastomer bracelet. The other two variants unveiled introduce two new dial colours for the model.
The white Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and white gold), fitted on an Oyster bracelet, features a mint green dial, a colour reserved until now for the Datejust. And the variant fashioned in 18 ct Everose gold is endowed with a blue-green dial. A subtle alliance of two tones, the latter is available only on the reference presented, complemented by an Oyster bracelet.
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An elegant watch for frequent travellers, the Sky-Dweller displays the time in two time zones simultaneously and has an annual calendar. The reference time is displayed in 24-hour format via an off-centre disc, and local time is read using the conventional centre hands. The annual calendar, named Saros, automatically differentiates between 30- and 31-day months; operated by a patented mechanism it stands out for its innovative display: the months of the year are shown in 12 apertures around the circumference of the dial, beyond the index hour marker – the current month being shown in red. The instantaneous date change is linked to the local time.
The Sky-Dweller also includes the Ring Command system, an interface between the rotatable bezel, winding crown and movement that allows the wearer to select and set the timepiece’s functions one by one, easily, quickly and securely.
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The Sky-Dweller is now equipped with calibre 9002. An evolution of calibre 9001, this new movement includes some of the major innovations that Rolex has brought to its movements, including the Chronergy escapement. Calibre 9002 enables the Sky-Dweller to display the date and the month, as well as an additional time zone in 24-hour format, and the hours, minutes and seconds.
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