A couple of months ago at Watches and Wonders 2023, Rolex presented its new releases for the year. The biggest attention grabber was without a doubt the new Daytona. The new 1908 collection was a pleasant surprise as a replacement for the discontinued Cellini collection. The new 40-mm Explorer was a nice, logical addition to the lineup, and the two new GMT-Master II models (gold and two-tone) are absolute stunners. But the most surprising – and maybe even most remarkable – release by Rolex this year was the titanium Rolex Yacht-Master 42. Not only did it introduce titanium into the regular collection of wearable favorites, but the aesthetic of this new timepiece might just give the Submariner and Sea-Dweller a run for their money. Let’s find out why.
Introduction of Titanium
If you follow developments in the watch industry, you’ll know there is a huge increase in the use of titanium for watch cases. Until recently, titanium has predominantly been used for diving watches due to the material being lightweight and corrosion-resistant. We’re now seeing plenty of different types of titanium timepieces, above and beyond divers. Just think of the titanium Royal Oak models, Grand Seiko models, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus, and also the numerous Hamilton Khaki Field watches in titanium.
The rise of titanium is very noticeable and showing no signs of slowing, but some brands have been hesitant to embrace the material. Rolex didn’t produce any titanium watches for the longest time. In fact, it was only in 2022 that they introduced their first titanium watch with the Deepsea Challenge – a beast of a watch at 50 mm, with a depth rating of 11,000 m (36,090 ft) and a case made of Grade 5 titanium. Needless to say, its sheer size and specs are not for your regular Rolex customer. I wouldn’t exactly call the Deepsea Challenge a grand introduction for a wide audience. While titanium was certainly an appropriate choice for the watch as it’s 30% lighter than it would be in steel, its extreme appearance means the watch only has what you could call a niche audience.
The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in Titanium
That’s where the new titanium Yacht-Master comes in. As some of you will know, the first Rolex Yacht-Master was designed as a renewed version of the Submariner in the late 1960s, but that watch never made it past the prototype stages, and the name Yacht-Master disappeared until the early 1990s. In 1992, Rolex introduced the new Yacht-Master, a solid yellow gold luxury sports watch intended to be used during regattas. Rolex chose a solid gold watch for use on the water rather than in the water, to set the Yacht-Master apart from the Submariner and Sea-Dweller. The luxury sports watch collection went on to become a platform for Rolex to introduce exciting new material combinations. The first was the Rolesium Yacht-Master from 1999, which featured a steel case and platinum bezel and dial. In 2015, the first Rolex on a rubber strap was also a Yacht-Master; this time the watch was executed in rose gold on Rolex’s Oysterflex strap. All in all, this makes the Yacht-Master an interesting line of watches and a versatile one with 37 mm, 40 mm, and 42 mm sizes.
Design of the Rolex Yacht-Master
In terms of design and specifications, the Yacht-Master looks the part of a dive watch with its rotating bezel, diving scale, Triplock crown, and 100 m (328 ft) of water resistance. While the depth rating isn’t exactly outstanding, everything about the Yacht-Master screams “dive watch.” The use of precious metals, however, does make a more luxurious statement and keeps the model from being a true sports watch. But with the introduction of the new 42-mm Yacht-Master, all that has changed. The RLX titanium case has made the watch a serious contender for people who are looking for a Rolex diver. The titanium watch, with its black bezel and titanium Oyster bracelet with an Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension system, looks closer to the Submariner and Sea-Dweller than ever before – and it’s powered by the same Rolex caliber 3235.
It will definitely appeal to people who are looking for a typical Rolex sports watch, but want something lighter and less shiny than a Submariner. Titanium has a slightly different hue than the 904L stainless steel that Rolex uses for the Submariner. The new Yacht-Master also comes with a mainly brushed finish compared to the polished surfaces on the Submariner. Moreover, the matte black bezel with raised and polished 60-minute diving scale numerals and graduations gives it a certain presence. I personally love the look of the new titanium Yacht-Master; it’s less shiny, which appeals more to me. I’d even prefer it over the current Submariner, if I’m honest.
Outlook for the Titanium Yacht-Master 42
But the choice is not that simple: A Submariner will set you back just shy of $10,000, while the new Yacht-Master 42 in titanium is closer to $15,000. That $5,000 price difference is substantial, but for people who have that kind of money, the choice could be a tough one. Many people I spoke to right after its introduction agreed that this is a very exciting step for Rolex, and for the Yacht-Master in particular. It’s the perfect fit for the collection and a watch that many fans would consider buying. Can you imagine if they made a 40-mm version next? People would be going crazy! Sure, a lot of watch enthusiasts still want the reassurance of a weighty stainless steel watch on their wrist rather than a titanium timepiece, but that group is rapidly shrinking. The rising number of titanium watches has been remarkable to witness, and that’s why I think this new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is a brilliant step for the brand, and one that could prove very successful. We know Rolexes are in demand, and even though it’s no Sub, this brilliant new titanium Yacht-Master is no different.
