Launched in 2023, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226627 is a bold and lightweight addition to Rolex’s luxury dive watch offering, the Yacht-Master collection. While the Yacht-Master was originally created as a luxurious off-shoot of the Submariner collection, it has grown to include some interesting models that break from Rolex’s typically regimented approach to dive watches. Standing as an example of that, the ref. 226627 expands the collection into a new frontier, with a grade 5 titanium case made of Rolex’s very own alloy, RLX titanium. Grey in color, incredibly light and strong, this timepiece is one of Rolex’s most visually interesting sports models yet with its black dial and matte black Cerachrom bezel retaining the collection’s roots as a sports model from Rolex. Powered by Rolex’s automatic cal. 3235 movement, the ref. 226627 boasts the same level of performance we have come to expect from The Crown, but with a new lease of life with regards to its aesthetics. Reintroducing polished lug bevels to Rolex’s ordinary production models, the ref. 226627 combines an forward-thinking approach to watchmaking with an inspired view of the past, which is the exact combination that Rolex collectors have been asking for decades, and so it is no surprise that the resulting timepiece is as popular and sought-after as it is.

Aesthetically unique and an interesting change of direction from Rolex given their reluctance to explore new materials, the ref. 226627 marks a change of pace from Rolex whereby they are willing to expand into new territories.