THE JEWELS OF THE CROWN
Dazzling with the diadem of colored sapphires and diamonds that encircles its intense black face, this watch cut for nautical activities has reigned on the wrist for three decades now.
It was in 1992, 30 years ago, that the Yacht-Master collection was created. Dedicated to the world of water sports, it pays tribute to the strong link that has united Rolex with sailing for some seven decades. This year, presented at the 2022 edition of Watches and Wonders, a new member of this family has been added to the Geneva-based company’s watchmaking catalog, featuring colorful gems while retaining its natural Professional watch qualities: the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 model.
Undoubtedly inspired by the hues of the horizon as the sun sinks into the sea, the bi-directional rotating bezel hosts a ribbon of pink, azure, navy and mauve trapeze-cut sapphires and white diamonds, including a triangular one. The brilliance continues on the lugs and crown guard lined with brilliant-cut diamonds of different sizes. This diadem of a thousand lights encircles a black lacquered dial on which geometric indexes and central hour, minute and second hands are placed, all highlighted with white luminescent material with blue emission. The date is displayed in black on white in an aperture at 3 o’clock and is highly legible thanks to the Cyclope magnifying glass integrated into the sapphire crystal.
The 40mm diameter case, machined in white gold and water-resistant to a depth of 100m, houses the caliber 3235, a self-winding movement with a Perpetual rotor that delivers a formidable 70-hour power reserve. This Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 is worn on an Oysterflex bracelet made of two curved metal blades covered with black elastomer for optimal comfort, equipped with an Oysterlock safety buckle with Rolex Glidelock quick-extension system.
