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THE YACHT-MASTER, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation attests that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.
The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive methodology that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to magnetic fields and shocks.
THE OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS
The Yacht-Master’s Oyster case, 37 mm, 40 mm, or 42 mm in diameter and guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy, or 18 ct gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only certified Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown – fitted with a triple waterproofness system – screws down securely against the case. It is protected by an integral crown guard. The crystal, with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the Yacht-Master’s movement.
PERPETUAL CALIBRES 2236 AND 3235
Yacht-Master models are equipped with calibre 2236 (Yacht-Master 37) or calibre 3235 (Yacht-Master 40 and Yacht-Master 42), self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Consummate demonstrations of technology, these movements carry a number of patents. They offer outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.
The oscillator of calibres 2236 and 3235 has a balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance. The oscillator is also fitted on high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, designed and patented by Rolex.
Calibre 2236 incorporates a Syloxi hairspring in silicon, which is patented and manufactured by the brand. Calibre 3235 features an optimized version of the blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. Both hairsprings are insensitive to magnetic fields, offer great stability in the face of temperature variations and remain up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.
The geometry of the Syloxi hairspring found in calibre 2236 guarantees the regularity of the movement in any position; the blue Parachrom hairspring of calibre 3235 is fitted with a Rolex overcoil that offers the same level of performance.
Calibre 2236 has a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus escape wheel. Calibre 3235 incorporates the Chronergy escapement, made of the same alloy and patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability and is also insensitive to magnetic fields.
Calibre 2236 and calibre 3235 are fitted with a self-winding module featuring a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. Calibre 2236 offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, while the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency.
The Yacht-Master’s movements will be seen only by certified Rolex watchmakers, yet they are beautifully finished and decorated in keeping with the brand’s uncompromising quality standards.
BRACELET AND CLASP: SECURE AND COMFORTABLE
The Rolesium versions (combining Oystersteel and platinum) and the Everose Rolesor versions (combining Oystersteel and Everose gold) of the Yacht-Master 37 and the Yacht-Master 40 are fitted on a three-piece link Oyster bracelet, equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link. Developed by Rolex, this system allows the wearer to easily increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, for additional comfort in any circumstance. A concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.
The Yacht-Master 37 in 18 ct Everose gold is equipped with the Oysterflex bracelet fitted with the Easylink comfort extension link. This technical bracelet, developed and patented by Rolex, singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the suppleness, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. It is composed of two flexible metal blades – one for each bracelet section – overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer.
The Yacht-Master 40 in 18 ct Everose gold and the Yacht-Master 42, made exclusively from 18 ct white gold, are fitted on an Oysterflex bracelet equipped with the Rolex Glidelock extension system. Developed and patented by the brand, this inventive toothed mechanism, integrated beneath the clasp, allows fine adjustment of the Oysterflex bracelet length without the use of tools. The Rolex Glidelock on the Oysterflex bracelet has six notches of approximately 2.5 mm each, allowing the bracelet length to be adjusted easily up to some 15 mm.
The Oyster and Oysterflex bracelets on the Yacht Master models are equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp, designed and patented by Rolex, which prevents accidental opening.
