Rolex Review: Yacht-Master 42 | What's in the Box Ep. 15

Unbox the trailblazing Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 with us on the latest edition of What’s in the Box. Shop: www.bobswatches.com
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Join us each week on our series, What’s in the Box, where the team will unbox a different watch from our recent arrivals inventory on camera and share on-the-spot reviews.
Each watch featured in this video will be available for sale at the time of the video’s release. Learn more about each watch and find links to buy them below.
WRIST CHECK
Emily’s Wrist: Rolex Day-Date Ref.118208
Find the Rolex 118208 for sale here: www.bobswatches.com/rolex-day...
Justin’s Wrist: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Ref. 210.30.42.20.03.002
Find the Omega 210.30.42.20.03.002 for sale here:
www.bobswatches.com/omega/ome...
FEATURED WATCH
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226659
Find the Rolex 226659 for sale here: www.bobswatches.com/rolex-yac...
Rolex released ref. 226659 during BaselWorld 2019. At the time, it was the first Yacht-Master 42 and the first Yacht-Master cased in solid white gold.
Interestingly, the watch is only available on Rolex’s proprietary Oysterflex rubber strap instead of a matching white gold bracelet. By that logic, it is also the only model in the regatta series to sport a white gold case and an Oysterflex strap.
Many collectors have come to adore this edition of the Yacht-Master because it resembles a traditional stainless steel sports watch but with the high luxury of solid white gold.
CASE
Rolex produces the 18k white gold used for ref. 226659 in-house to ensure the highest quality on the market. Even though it is inherently luxurious, the white gold Oyster case is also incredibly durable. It offers resistance to depths of up to 100 meters via a Triplock screw-down crown-perfect for a quick dip in the pool or the ocean.
The case is also outfitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is currently the largest option within the original Yacht-Master series at 42mm in diameter.
BEZEL
The bezel is a signature feature of the Yacht-Master, which is commonly presented in precious metal and with a sand-blasted and polished finish.
Ref. 226659 follows suit but in sporty black ceramic instead of gold or platinum. The bezel is presented in matte, sand-blasted “Cerachrom” and features raised and polished 60-minute graduations.
Additionally, the bezel rotates bi-directionally, making it easy for the wearer to time various events on land or at sea.
DIAL
Like the rest of the Rolex professional series, optimal functionality is key for the Yacht-Master. It sports a modern “Maxi” dial with larger hour markers and hands filled with long-lasting Chromalight. The material is exclusive to Rolex and is widely celebrated in many watch-collecting circles for its minty blue glow in dark environments.
BRACELET
Rolex’s patented Oysterflex is more than merely a simple rubber strap. It connects to the case with a titanium and nickel blade encased in high-performance black elastomer. Rolex has designed the underside of the strap to sit perfectly on the wrist via a smart longitudinal cushion system and has secured the strap with the trusty Oysterlock safety clasp.
MOVEMENT
As a current-production time-and-date Rolex, ref. 226659 also features the innovative caliber 3235 Perpetual movement. The successor to the long-running caliber 3135, this movement boasts a Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, and a more efficient Chronergy escapement.
Collectors will also enjoy the convenience of a longer 70-hour power reserve.
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[@artaudcharles]

The Oysterflex rubber strap and the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 (Ref. 226659) are a glorious match made in Heaven! This watch is beyond stunning.

[@bobswatches]

Awesome comment! Truly a great combo.

[@lbco5229]

Nice that Rolex is putting out an in-house strap. Years ago I added a black Rubber B strap to my Sea Dweller Deep Sea JC. Gave it a nice pop. Love it!

[@bobswatches]

Rubber strap fan club! So great!

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

Amazing unboxing, I'm loving the Yacht-Master 42! 😍

[@bobswatches]

It's a fun one!

[@chriselley2261]

Super comfortable and looks great in triple-matte black - dial, bezel, and oysterflex. My personal fave is the rose gold 40 mm. Nice size for me, and love the touch of red script.

[@bobswatches]

So happy to hear you’re a fan of the things noted in this video. And the red script! ❤

[@Petermcnaughtonhomes]

Love the subtle but cool bezel.

[@bobswatches]

Yes! Such a great feature.

[@GrahamKerr.RealEstate]

Seeing the Rolex oyster flex strap made me get a Rubber B for my Tudor BB58 to give a little Yacht-Master feel for a fraction of the cost. Was never a YM2 fan but these models are fantastic! Nice video!

[@bobswatches]

Thanks for watching!

[@RedwoodAggie]

I love the look of this particular Yacht-Master, though I've not tried it on. The new titanium model is most appealing to me, probably 2nd to my Explorer II 226570. I hear they're hard to get a hold of though and after market pricing seems to reflect that. I am definitely not 3-4x MSRP interested in the titanium model.

[@bobswatches]

The Titanium version of this is a sight to behold, let alone putting it on your wrist. The 226570 is a great watch too!

[@ComicBookVeteran]

The Yachtmaster just doesn’t do it for me, but it’s great to see the variety of watches on “What’s in the box?”

[@bobswatches]

The Yacht-Master isn’t for everyone so this makes complete sense! We appreciate you watching and enjoying the variety.

[@jsusna1972]

I don't think I would ever choose a Yacht Master, but that bezel does look good. I went from a 36mm Day-Date to my current 40mm GMT Master II, Coke bezel, which is about the max size for my wrist, but I have to say that at 42mm it doesn't seem to wear that large. Similar to my GMT, the bezel takes up a lot of the diameter, so they don't wear that large. My Grand Seiko Katana is also 40mm, but with a very small, smooth bezel, the dial is a lot larger than the Rolex. As for bracelets, I've owned a Jubilee, a President and now an Oyster. I've found them all comfortable, so the Oyster Flex rubber strap must be really super comfortable for you both to comment on it.

[@bobswatches]

You’ve experienced the gamer do Rolex bracelets. The Oysterflex is a wonderful element on the selection of watches it accompanies. You’d love it!

[@jsusna1972]

@@bobswatches One might go well with my GMT, but the Oyster is the classic look on it for me.

[@PeteTong-hl8ke]

what brand do you prefer

[@jsusna1972]

@@PeteTong-hl8ke It's hard for me to declare a preference, so that's why I have a Rolex and a Grand Seiko.

[@jebj.altonaga9483]

Like my explorer II, this is a sleeper watch that only people who know... know

[@bobswatches]

Great perspective!

[@michaelking446]

I love my 226659 so much. Got mine right when it was introduced. So comfortable. The black matte bezel sets it off. The white gold just finishes it off. Bravo Rolex!

[@michaelking446]

PS…the oysterflex, next to jubilee, is my fav.

[@bobswatches]

An owner with the insights! So happy to hear your thoughts on this watch.

[@dslaughter-tv1op]

I was not familiar with this Yachtmaster version. Love the matt bezel as discussed in the video. Appreciate the video. I’m considering selling a kidney for the Rolex or the Omega. Don’t worry I know a guy lol

[@bobswatches]

So glad you enjoyed the video! Stay healthy, whatever you decide 😆

[@tausifraza6910]

The guy looks that he did not sleep for a very long time. You know these guys talk about watches but they never ever talk about the accuracy of the movement of these watches. If you look at this video, these two talked about the Seamaster and how they feel about it but they did not mention how accurate is the movement. It seems like that they do not use the watch to tell time.

[@vijaymehra1101]

Rolex guarantees all of its watches to +/- 2 seconds per day. Omega has a similar standard.

[@tausifraza6910]

@@vijaymehra1101 I know what Rolex and omega claims. You missed the whole point of the post.

[@bobswatches]

Interesting perspective. Can confirm we speak on movements in many videos and also use many watches to tell time.

[@tausifraza6910]

@@bobswatches If I am reviewing the watches then I will do the following . Let's say I review the Omega. After I say praises about the watch , I will say that this watch runs on a caliber 1234 and this watch can gain 5 secs a day or can loose 5 secs a day if it is serviced recently and after one year it will start loosing or gaining more because the mechanical components will wear out. I will also discuss the limitations of the calibers. I will also discuss calibers themselves too as standard practice for each watch video. Currently most of your videos have nothing critical to say about these watches. The way you present or discuss these watches implies that these watches are just great and there is nothing that could do ever wrong with them. You also need to tell people about the limitations of these watches too.

[@VectorSearch]

Why are you wearing a watch that’s up for sale? I wouldn’t appreciate that if I were a customer.

[@bobswatches]

Great question. Our job is to promote the watches available on bobswatches.com. Hence giving this watch a spotlight. It’s handled with care as all of our watches are, so there’s nothing to be concerned with there.