W&W 2022 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 Ref. 126679 SABR "Aurora Borealis"

Where the sky meets the ocean and the sun comes up over water, the air is momentarily rippled with colour. The new Yacht-Master 40 harnesses these fleeting instants so they can be admired on the wrist. The bezel, set with diamonds and sapphires in tones of blue, silver and pink, is inspired by the aurora borealis and the glow of dawn.

Rolex is unveiling a new colourful, sparkling version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40. Cast from 18 ct white gold – a first for the model – the watch features a rotatable bezel set with trapeze-cut precious stones. Pink sapphire, light-blue sapphire, diamond, purple sapphire and dark-blue sapphire: a harmonious sequence of five hues that is repeated eight times. This design gives the bezel a unique sparkle that is further enhanced by a triangular diamond at 12 o’clock. The case shines with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds from the lugs to the crown guard.

This new gem-set version of the Yacht-Master 40 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes, seconds and date. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

Sailing spirit

Launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers. Embodying the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s, this Professional-category watch provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water. An emblematic nautical timepiece, it is easily recognized by its bidirectional rotatable bezel, which, when not gem-set, features a 60-minute graduation and is made entirely from precious metal or is fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic.

The Oyster case

The 40 mm Oyster case of the new Yacht-Master 40 is a paragon of robustness and reliability. Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct white gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement.

The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, which is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

Perpetual calibre 3235

The new version of the Yacht-Master 40 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2015 and has been fitted on this model since 2019. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours.

Oysterflex bracelet and Oysterlock safety clasp

The new 18 ct white gold Yacht-Master 40 is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. Developed by Rolex and patented, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible, curved metal blades overmoulded with highperformance black elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and very durable. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with longitudinal cushions.

The Oysterflex bracelet on this new version of the Yacht-Master 40 is equipped with the Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct white gold, which prevents accidental opening. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, which was designed by the brand and patented. This particularly inventive mechanism comprises a rack located under the clasp cover and a toothed sliding link that locks into the chosen notch. The Rolex Glidelock on the Oysterflex bracelet has six notches of approximately 2.5 mm, allowing the length of the bracelet to be adjusted easily, and without tools, up to some 15 mm.

Technical specifications

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 "Aurora Borealis"

Reference: 126679 SABR

Case

• Material: 18 ct white gold
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Bezel: 18 ct white gold, bidirectional rotatable, set with 8 trapeze-cut diamonds (approx. 0.92 ct), 32 trapeze-cut sapphires (8 pink, 8 light blue, 8 purple and 8 dark blue) (approx. 4.27 ct) and one triangular diamond (approx. 0.15 ct) at 12 o’clock
• Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Cyclops lens over the date with double anti-reflective coating
• Winding crown: Triplock in 18 ct white gold, screw-down, triple waterproofness system
• Caseback: 18 ct white gold, solid, screw-down with fine fluting
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• Intense black, gloss, fine satin finish
• Hour markers in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
• Hands in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)

Movement

• Calibre 3235, Manufacture Rolex
• Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
• Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring.
• High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
• Number of jewels: 31 
• Frequency: 28,000 vph (4Hz)
• Power reserve of 70 hours

Functions/Indications

• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
• Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock with secure rapid-setting
• Stop-seconds for exact time setting

Strap and buckle

• Oysterflex
• Flexible metal blades overmoulded with high-performance elastomer
• Oysterlock folding safety clasp in 18 ct white gold
• Rolex Glidelock extension system (approx. 15 mm in increments of approx. 2.5 mm)

MSRP: Upon request

For more information, please visit rolex.com