Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2020 Reference No: 226659 Case No: 87'8D0'105 Model Name: Yacht-Master 42 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3235, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Rubber Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 18th August 2020, instruction manual, green card holder, hang tags, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Inspired by the rich heritage in the world of sailing since the 1950s, the Rolex Yacht-Master brings together the finest technology to create a timepiece with elegance amongst the dynamic of nautical sports. Sharing the finest spirit of yachting, the present new generation of the Yacht-Master Ref. 226659 featuring the coolness of 18K white gold paired with an Oysterflex strap is certainly a classic example of luxury sports timepieces. Featuring an intense matte black dial with a matching black Cerachrom bi-directional 60-minute bezel, the model is no doubt the ideal timepiece with robust qualities for water sports on your weekend sailing adventures. Released in 2019, the new regatta icon is fitted with a new and improved calibre 3235 with a more optimised Chronergy escapement that provides a longer power reserve of 70 hours. The folding Oysterlock safety clasp also uses the Rolex Glidelock extension system that is easy to adjust on the get-go. Well-preserved, the present ref. 226659 is accompanied by its original guarantee and accessories.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.