We are pleased to offer to market this stunning 2024 Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref 226659 in 18ct white gold, paired with the iconic Oysterflex strap. This example is presented in excellent condition.First introduced in 1992, the Rolex Yacht-Master marked a notable moment in the brand’s history. It arrived 25 years after the last catalogue addition, the legendary Rolex Sea-Dweller, and while it shared visual DNA with the Rolex Submariner, its purpose was quite different. Rather than being designed purely as a professional tool watch, the Yacht-Master was conceived as a more luxurious nautical companion, a watch equally at home on the deck of a yacht as it was in everyday life.Although it borrowed many design cues and mechanical elements from the Submariner, the Yacht-Master’s water resistance was set at 100 metres, reflecting its intended role as a refined maritime sports watch rather than a hardcore dive instrument. Its solid gold construction reinforced this positioning, giving it a distinctive place within the Rolex sports watch lineup.Over the years, the Yacht-Master collection has evolved considerably. Introduced in a variety of sizes, including 29mm, 35mm, 37mm, 40mm and now 42mm, the range has seen several important milestones. In 1999, the steel and platinum “Rolesium” model (ref. 16622) broadened its appeal, while 2005 brought two-tone variations. A significant aesthetic shift arrived in 2015 with the Everose gold ref. 116655, which introduced both a black ceramic bezel insert and the innovative Oysterflex rubber strap.The 42mm white gold model followed in 2019, taking the modern Yacht-Master design language and giving it a more understated, monochromatic edge. With its discreet 18ct white gold case paired with a matte black Cerachrom bezel and Oysterflex strap, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226659 delivers a sleek and contemporary take on Rolex’s nautical sports watch, the largest and arguably most striking member of the Yacht-Master family.
