Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Hands-On Review - The Rolex Submariner Has A Gorgeous Cousin

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This is NOT a submariner, instead this is the 42mm Yacht-Master, arguably one of the best looking luxury sports watches in Rolex’ catalogue today. Sports watch, not a divers watch due to its limited water resistance and bi-directional bezel.
The 42mm oyster case follows the oyster architecture. A mono bloc middle case, screw down case back and trip lock screw down crown. Overall water resistance of the yacht master is 100 meters. It features a Black lacquered dial with white gold hands and large indices. Thanks to the larger indices on this dial the Chromalight lume burns mighty bright at night. The standout feature of this watch is perhaps that matte black Cerachrom insert on the white gold bezel. The numbers are raised and polished, making them stand out against the matte backdrop.
Beating inside is the superlative chronometer Caliber 3235. This caliber has all the modern bells and whistles you can expect from Rolex including the Chronergy escapement. Accurate to plus minus 2 seconds per day and it also boasts a 70 hour power reserve.

[@thehunter4484]

MMMMM that date flip at 03:16

[@degriff]

:-D

[@jnox8547]

Stunning watch.

[@karlburgerhoff7024]

This is one of my favorite reviews ever (strap/bracelet , rubber/elastermer) 🤣🤣🤣

[@degriff]

😂 haha, glad you noticed 😆 Thanks as always Karl! 🙏

[@hbomb9041]

I have this watch and it really is gorgeous. White gold has an entirely different look the camera can never quite capture. I agree re: size though. I have a 17cm wrist and can get away with it, but it’s a big dial and looks all of its 42mm (unlike, for example, the Speedmaster).

[@degriff]

Congratulations! Such a genuinely 'cool' watch. Many thanks for watching along H!

[@closer71]

I’m wearing the Ref. 16628, 18k yellow gold now but have been wanting white gold. I’ve been leaning toward the Ref. 126719BLRO in 18k white. But I love this 42mm YM, too! It’s just so hard for me to spend all that money and not get a full white gold bracelet...didn’t that bother you? I love the understated elegance of this thing - that dial and bezel with the white gold case is absolutely sick! And the oyster flex is just Uber cool, man. I want one so bad. It’s a tough decision and I don’t want to make the wrong one because I’ve seen the BLRO creep up in value steadily while the 42mm YM has languished at just below retail to a couple grand over. If I buy one, I want a killer deal. Like wholesale, cost +5% only because I want to be in it right, I’m not stupid. If it’s going to sit a decade without appreciating until people really get into after it’s discontinued, as Rolex’s very first oyster-flex equipped model. It holds value just fine but the way the white gold GMT is going, if I don’t buy one soon, it could be out of my price range in a few years or less! I find it utterly insane that ADs charge a premium for brand new watches in white gold but they trade at a discount from yellow gold on the secondary market!!! Ughhhhh.

[@hbomb9041]

@@closer71 I was fine with the Oysterflex rather than full gold bracelet. It looks sportier and is much cheaper than a full gold would be. To be honest, I didn't set out to buy this watch. I popped in my AD and was shown the watch and immediately fell in love. Pictures don't do it justice. It looks 100x better in the metal. As if that wasn't enough, I was offered a steel Pepsi if I took it so that sealed it for me. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably get the BLRO. Prices on the YM42 aren't going anywhere for a while and I love the BLRO in gold or steel. It's possibly the best watch in my collection and I feel very lucky to have it.

[@realslimshaco8550]

I have it too i have a 19cm wrist it fits me really well! It's amazing and so under rated

[@mikepoole2134]

@@realslimshaco8550 I thought I had a big wrist at 18cm.

[@fushan9640]

Wow great review y

[@quentinver4330]

I wish it came in steel to be affordable

[@degriff]

You and me both, but I don't think that's happening any time soon

[@actionarslan]

I think all comparisons in size should be made to an SKX as a benchmark because EVERYONE has an SKX

[@degriff]

Fair point :-) Although it being discontinued… who would be your next pick?

[@actionarslan]

Thought about it all day. SKX is the newest one I have. Forced to conclude one of the following three options 1. Still reference SKX 2. Put everything but the music on hold til I get a new watch 3. Send me a Rolex so I know what I’m working with Hope you use this logic on your wife to convince her to let you get watches. Love your stuff you should have way more subscribers. I’m putting word out to my watch friends

[@degriff]

Thanks a lot, really appreciate the comment and support! Nothing is going on hold though, next weeks will be interesting ;-)

[@PepeDeezNutz]

@@degriff Seiko 5

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

The oysterflex band is a rubber band, it's not a bracelet

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Wooooo!

[@biza.d5947]

A review that doesn’t state price.

[@degriff]

The prices change so fast and so often, and they differ depending on the country or region you live in, it is fairly pointless (edit:typo)