Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Collector’s Guide
The Rolex Yacht-Master debuted in 1992, at first in solid yellow gold only, as a flashier alternative to the Submariner. For years, the Yacht-Master was made in three sizes–29mm, 35mm and 40mm–and eventually the 29mm model was dropped as the midsize version was enlarged to 37mm. The Rolex Yacht Master 42 didn’t appear until 2019, at first in white gold, and later in yellow gold or titanium. A couple of diamond-covered six-figure off-catalog variants have been made, too. Here’s our guide to the Rolex Yacht-Master 42.
The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is powered by the now 10-year-old Caliber 3235 movement with 70 hours of power reserve. With a Triplock crown and a 100m depth rating, it’s more than capable of handling a dive, although its bidirectional bezel is more suited to topside activities. The luminous hour plots are quite large, so even if you get one made before about 2021-2022 (when Rolex quietly rolled out their improved Chromalight) you can expect pretty decent nighttime glow. Let’s take a look at the original YM42.
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold
Debut Year: 2019 (Falcon’s eye dial added 2022)
Market Price (2025): $26,000 (standard dial), $49,000 (Falcon’s eye dial)
In 2019, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 first appeared in white gold only. Reference 226659 came with a black dial and an Oysterflex strap, period. There were no other options whatsoever. It didn’t make a ton of noise upon its release. With a list price of $34,000, though, its admirers often regard it as one of the ultimate stealth wealth watches.
The Yacht-Master 42 got a bit more attention when the Falcon’s eye dial option was added in 2022 for $2,600 more. It has been one of the most popular stone dial Rolex watches ever since. The falcon’s eye dial makes the difference between the watch being worth 20% less than MSRP or 35% more than MSRP. Due to the nature of the falcon’s eye stone, the dials vary quite a bit–I find some to have more interesting “veins” of coloration than others.
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Yellow Gold
Debut Year: 2022
Market Price (2025): $29,000
The yellow gold Rolex Yacht-Master 42 (ref. 226658) debuted alongside the falcon’s eye dial option for the white gold version in 2022. The yellow gold version doesn’t get any dial options aside from standard black. Its market value is about 10% less than its MSRP of $32,100, which actually is quite good value retention for a gold watch.
Off-Catalog YM42
Debut Year: 2021 (white gold), 2023 (yellow gold)
Market Price (2025): $102,000 (white gold, black dial. Add $30,000 for yellow gold and/or $15,000 for pave dial)
The first iced-out off-catalog Yacht-Master 42 (ref. 226679TBR) appeared in 2021, with either a black dial or a pave diamond dial. The juxtaposition of practicality and impracticality is pretty stark. Arguably the most comfortable elastomer strap on the market, a famously waterproof case, highly legible hands and hour markers, a well-built reliable movement, and a crapload of flawless diamonds.
Interestingly, the yellow gold version released in 2023 (226668TBR) resells for far more than the white gold. These days, off-catalog Rolex models tend to be only made for about a year each, although Rolex has not explicitly stated that strategy.
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Titanium
Debut Year: 2023
Market Price (2025): $26,000
The only Yacht-Master 42 that comes on a solid metal bracelet is also the hardest to find. The Rolex waitlist for the titanium Yacht-Master 42 (ref. 226627) is probably even more brutal than for a Panda Daytona. Granted, the demand for the Yacht-Master isn’t as astronomical, but it is popular–and the supply is very low. Candidly, as of February 2025, Luxury Bazaar has only sold one. There just aren’t a ton of them out there. Released in 2023, it was Rolex’s second titanium watch (the 50mm Deepsea Challenge was the first).
Rolex uses a grade 5 titanium alloy that they call “RLX titanium.” If you like your watches to have a significant heft on the wrist, titanium is not for you, but some people love the lightweight feel of it. The 226627 weighs about 100 grams, while a new Rolex Submariner is closer to 155 grams. For reference, a lightweight Zenith El Primero model made out of forged carbon fiber weighs under 60 grams on a ladder bracelet, and the lightest mechanical watch in the world is a 10.2-gram Ming. So although it certainly isn’t setting any records for lightness, 100 grams will feel light to most watch enthusiasts.
It’s the first (and only) Yacht-Master with both a ceramic bezel insert and a full metal bracelet. Every other Yacht-Master on a bracelet has a precious metal bezel. And instead of the rich, glossy black on other Yacht-Master dials, the RLX titanium version has a matte dial. It looks decidedly grey in some light, which I think works well with the brushed finish of the titanium.
Specs
| Specification | 226659 | 226658 | 226668 TBR | 226679 TBR | 226627 (RLX Titanium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Material | 18k White Gold | 18k Yellow Gold | 18k Yellow Gold | 18k White Gold | RLX Titanium |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm | 42 mm | 42 mm | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Bezel | Matte Black Cerachrom, Bidirectional Rotatable | Matte Black Cerachrom, Bidirectional Rotatable | Trapezoidal Diamond-Set Bezel | Trapezoidal Diamond-Set Bezel | Matte Black Cerachrom, Bidirectional Rotatable |
| Dial | Black or Falcon’s Eye | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Bracelet | Oysterflex | Oysterflex | Oysterflex | Oysterflex | Oyster (Titanium) |
| Clasp | Oysterlock with Glidelock | Oysterlock with Glidelock | Diamond-Set Oysterlock with Glidelock | Diamond-Set Oysterlock with Glidelock | Oysterlock with Easylink |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 330ft | 100m / 330ft | 100m / 330ft | 100m / 330ft | 100m / 330ft |
| Movement | Rolex Calibre 3235 | Rolex Calibre 3235 | Rolex Calibre 3235 | Rolex Calibre 3235 | Rolex Calibre 3235 |
It will be interesting to see if Rolex further expands their YM42 offerings, or if they’ll keep it as a relatively low-variant lineup. We’ll keep you posted with any developments!
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