The essential sailing watch, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master in Rolesium presented at Baselworld 2012 benefits from the latest Rolex innovations in terms of the ergonomics, comfort and reliability of the bracelet, clasp and bezel. This extensive update enriches the well-established personality of this sleek, sporty and distinguished model born in 1992. The Yacht-Master is a symbol of the privileged links Rolex enjoys with the world of sailing.

The bidirectional rotation system on the bezel of this new Yacht-Master has been entirely rethought. It is based on a 120-position notched ring and a trigonal spring providing a constant torque in both directions, ensuring minimal wear and highly precise manipulation. The bezel with raised graduations contributes greatly to the unique identity of the model and its functions. Made entirely of 950 platinum, with polished graduations standing out against a sand-blasted finish, it can be easily set to time a period of up to 60 minutes – for example the sailing time between two buoys – or to provide a reminder of elapsed time. The dial harbours large Chromalight hour markers and hands filled with luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow, offering exceptional legibility in the dark.

The Yacht-Master’s 40 mm Oyster case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness. The characteristically shaped middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant 904L steel. The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool exclusive to Rolex watchmakers. The winding crown, fitted with the patented Triplock triple waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. It is protected by a crown guard that is an integral part of the middle case. The crystal, with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof synthetic sapphire. The waterproof Oyster case ensures optimal protection for the Yacht-Master’s high-precision movement.

The Yacht-Master is equipped with calibre 3135, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex. Like all Perpetual movements, the 3135 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. Its architecture, like that of all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly precise and reliable. The oscillator, the true heart of the watch, has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive alloy. Insensitive to magnetic fields, the Parachrom hairspring offers great stability when exposed to temperature variations and remains up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.


The new Yacht-Master is fitted with a solid-link Oyster bracelet in 904L steel with a new-generation Oysterlock safety clasp, both simple to manipulate and including a security system to prevent accidental opening. developed and patented by Rolex, this elegant solid-link bracelet offers remarkable comfort and ease of use. It also features the ingenious Easylink rapid extension system that allows the wearer to easily increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, for additional comfort in any circumstance.

Case	:	Type Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Diameter	:	40 mm
Material	:	Rolesium (combination of 904L stainless steel superalloy and 950 platinum), polished finish
Case back	:	Screw-down with Rolex fluting
Bezel	:	Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated in 950 platinum, sand-blasted finish, polished raised graduations
Winding crown	:	Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system
Crown guard	:	Integral part of the middle case
Crystal	:	Scratch-resistant sapphire Cyclops lens (2.5 ×) over the date, double anti-reflective coating
Waterproofness	:	100 metres (330 feet)
Movement	:	Calibre 3135 Manufacture Rolex Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Precision	:	Officially certified Swiss chronometer (COSC)
Functions	:	Centre hour, minute and seconds hands Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock with rapid setting Stop-seconds for precise time setting
Oscillator	:	Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz) Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring Breguet overcoil Large balance wheel with variable inertia High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts Traversing balance bridge
Jewelling	:	31 rubies
Power reserve	:	Approximately 48 hours
Dial	:	Blue, sunray finish
Hour markers	:	Highly legible Chromalight appliques (long-lasting luminescence) in 18 ct white gold
Hands	:	Chromalight hands in 18 ct white gold, red seconds hand
Bracelet	:	Type Oyster, three-piece solid links
Material	:	904L stainless steel superalloy, polished centre links, satin-finished outer links with polished edges
Clasp	:	Folding Oysterlock safety clasp Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link