rolex midsize yachtmaster gold

Could The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Yellow Gold 226658 Be the Best of the Collection?

The luxurious high-end nautical spirit of the 42mm yacht-master shines through in solid yellow gold and sleek black matte touches..

Any Rolex fan worth his or her salt knows that the Submariner is the champion of the dive watch category , a lifelong companion for underwater adventures and your go-to model if you want to hint at a sporty, active lifestyle. However, what if you are looking for a Rolex that can handle more than a splash but hint at the luxury sailing yacht you’ve got docked in the marina? In this case, the Yacht-Master has got you covered, a tooled-down and dressed-up nautical sports watch that has finally detached itself from the sporty Submariner. Marking a first for the 42mm edition of the Yacht-Master, the latest reference introduced at Watches and Wonders 2022 now comes in a yellow gold case. Combined with the black Oysterflex bracelet and the sleek black ceramic insert on the bezel, the elegant Yacht-Master 42 reference 226658 is more in line with the high-end nautical spirit of the collection.

A “Class A” Yacht

Since Hans Wilsdorf introduced the Oyster in 1926, Rolex and waterproof watches have been synonymous. From the iconic Submariner  to professional deep-sea divers like the  Sea-Dweller , the sea and all things maritime are a natural habitat for Rolex’s robust tool watches. Rolex also enjoys a long-standing relationship with the world of sailing and has partnered with select yacht clubs around the world since the early 1950s. As the sponsor of prestigious regattas like the exciting Rolex Fastnet Race, the Crown even developed a watch, the Yacht-Master II, with a specific regatta countdown function for competitive sailors.

The introduction of the Yacht-Master in 1992 surprised and then failed to engage Rolex fans. It certainly looked like a Submariner, but it had been tooled down and dressed up in a solid gold case, characteristics that seemed at odds with the professional dive watch vocation of the Submariner. Although the similarities with the Submariner were evident, the water-resistance of the Yacht-Master was reduced from 300 to 100 metres and the luminous dot was removed from the bezel.

Without the useful regatta countdown function of the Yacht-Master II and its lower water-resistance, the Yacht-Master was positioned as a luxurious nautical watch – and the lifestyle associated with high-end nautical sports – designed to catch the eye of yacht owners, not deckhands or divers.

what’s in a name?

Obviously, the name chosen for the Yacht-Master wasn’t a random choice – nothing is random at Rolex – and clearly speaks to the potential profile of a yacht owner, not a deckhand.

Over the years the Yacht-Master has appeared in a mid-size 35mm men’s version and even a 29mm ladies’ model (1994). Today it exists in three sizes: 42, 40 and 37mm. However, it wasn’t until 1999 that the Yacht-Master really got the wind in its sails with a more contemporary monochrome colour scheme provided by a steel case and platinum Rolesium bezel (ref. 16622) and Oyster bracelet. Then in 2015, the Everose (ref.116655) introduced two major aesthetic updates: the bezel featuring a black ceramic insert and an unexpected black rubber Oysterflex strap introduced on board the Yacht-Master and now used on the Sky-Dweller and Cosmograph Daytona.

The contemporary black rubber strap and the matte ceramic insert were a winning move and clearly demarcated the Yacht-Master as a separate collection. Overnight, the 2015 Yacht-Master looked radically different from its full-metal counterparts, imparting a sleeker, more stylish and more modern vibe. In 2019, the standard 40mm case size for men was joined by a larger 42mm case in white gold , a diameter that differentiated it one step more from the 41mm Submariner Date. The handsome black-tie combination of white gold and matte black Yacht-Master worked well but we think that the latest mix of yellow gold and matte black details works even better.

The reason is simple: white gold can be confused with stainless steel and although the crisp contrast of the white and black is handsome, the yellow gold case broadcasts ‘luxury nautical watch’ with even more conviction.

Yellow gold case

Sharing the same specifications as the white gold model, the latest ref. 226658 differs in just one aspect: its solid 18k yellow gold case. Crafted from a solid block of 18k gold, the middle case is polished and the overall impression is one of elegance. Despite being the largest Yacht-Master, its tapered lugs and relatively slim height mean the watch sits broad and flat on the wrist and works well on smaller wrists (photographed here on Brice’s 16.5mm wrist).

The hallmark bidirectional rotating bezel has a matte black Cerachrom insert with raised and mirror-polished graduations and numerals. Cerachrom, a proprietary material developed and patented by Rolex, is a hard ceramic material that is virtually scratch-proof, corrosion-resistant and impervious to ultraviolet rays meaning it won’t fade over time. The ceramic is sandblasted to give it an attractive grainy texture and a more technical, contemporary finish.

The knurled yellow gold edge means the bezel has a good grip, and the hermetically screwed-down caseback with its fine fluting ensures that only Rolex watchmakers can access the movement. Like all Yacht-Masters, the case is endowed with a Triplock winding crown and the dial protected by a sapphire crystal with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock to consult the date.

The black lacquered dial, which reinforces the slick aesthetics of this Rolex Yacht-Master 42, features applied yellow gold hour markers (triangular, round and rectangular) that are treated with Rolex’s own luminescent material known as Chromalight that emits a long-lasting blue glow in the dark. The hallmark Mercedes hour hand, the minute and the central seconds hand with its round counterweight are also crafted in gold with the same luminescent treatment as the hour markers.

Calibre 3235

First introduced in 2015 to replace the long-serving calibre 3135, calibre 3235 is now Rolex’s flagship date-function movement and is protected by no fewer than 14 patents. The most significant innovation is the new Chronergy escapement. Made from anti-magnetic nickel-phosphorous, about half of the robust 70-hour power reserve can be attributed to the newly designed escapement. A Parachrom hairspring fitted on Paraflex shock absorbers, also insensitive to magnetic fields and temperature variations, offers ten times more precision than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. Calibre 3235 was the first movement to receive Rolex’s own certification as a Superlative Chronometer with a tolerance of just -2/+2 seconds a day (more stringent than COSC).

ThE Great Oysterflex Bracelet

The matte black elastomer strap that has become a distinctive feature of the Yacht-Master replicates the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with its hidden infrastructure of flexible and curved metal blades. It is, in our opinion, one of the most comfortable straps on the market today. The Oysterlock folding clasp in 18k yellow gold is fitted with a Glidelock extension system allowing for adjustments of 15mm without tools.

Some identities take longer to forge than others and Rolex is not exactly known for overnight makeovers. After thirty years, the Yacht-Master has finally consolidated its identity and is practically impossible to confuse with a Submariner today. Without a doubt, the black bezel and Oysterflex models create a slicker, smoother and more sophisticated character than the opulent two-tone Oystersteel and Everose gold . And although many will be attracted to the understated black-tie appeal of the white gold ref. 226659, the more dynamic combination of yellow gold and black captures the luxurious nautical spirit of the Yacht-Master perfectly. While I doubt that Rolex is a slave to fashion trends, the rise of yellow gold is undeniable along with the return of the hedonistic fashion and style that ruled the 1980s and 1990s. However, combined with the sandblasted black matte ceramic and the rubber bracelet, the potential for bling is contained and this 226658 conveys a sexy, contemporary attitude.

Availability & Price

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 reference 226658 in yellow gold retails for  EUR 26,700 . Availability is, as always with the brand, limited. More information at Rolex.com .

Technical specifications – Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Yellow Gold 226658

5 responses.

Thanks for the great in depth article. When it was first released in 2015 I loved it and if I had the funds back then would have bought it. There was a wait list of about 6-12 months which I put my name down and was offered one but still just couldn’t justify the expenditure. It’s still my favourite sports Rolex. I agree with you that if your spending that much the yellow or rose gold version is my preference and prefer 40mm size but to be fair haven’t tried on the 42mm. However It wouldn’t be my daily wear as it’s a bit bold but not as bling as other gold Rolexes due to the matt bezel and rubber strap. Now if only they released a steel version 🙂 but that would be more impossible to get on a wait list. Regards alternatives as all gold Yatchmasters are not obtainable from your AD. These are available and arguably much better made. First the Blancpain Bathyscape at 43mm a tad larger and thicker though. Then there is the superb Glashautte Original SeaQ. I have admired them for sometime but hesitated between the 39.5mm with the not great 40 hr power reserve and a solid back or the larger 43.2 mm which has an exhibition case back and 100 hour power reserve but quite thick. One day a preowned steel 39.5 mm SeaQ became available for a great savings. It took me 5 mins to pull the trigger. I currently own and have owned a lot of sports dive/skin watches and this is my favourite daily wear for som time now. The 39.5 x 12.15 thickness is perfect on my wrist and the finish is just superb. The power reserve is no big deal as it’s worn continuously. PS they have just released a 39.5 mm rose gold version with an exhibition case back. Glashutte also offer excellent strap options.

When I bought a Yacht-Master (40 mm, with a platinum white dial) around 2009, I was still trying out the Daytona and Submariner with a green bezel. Finally, the choice fell on a watch with platinum. Those were beautiful times!

I really like the look, but I can’t mentally justify the increased price over other rolex watches, like the 126622 at $12k. Over $14k more for a more expensive gold case, but cheaper rubber strap and ceramic bezel?

I think people should stop reviewing Rolex watches since these are available for public anymore.

My grandpa would like it.

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Rolex Yachtmaster Midsize 18K Yellow Gold MOP Diamond Dial Unisex Watch 68628

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Rolex Yachtmaster Midsize 18K Yellow Gold MOP Diamond Dial Unisex Watch 68628. Officially certified chronometer self-winding movement. 18K yellow gold case 35.0 mm in diameter. Rolex logo on a crown. 18k yellow gold special time-lapse bi-directional rotating bezel. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal with cyclops magnifier. Mother of pearl dial with sapphire triangular, sapphire baton and Rolex original factory diamond hour markers. Luminous mercedes hands. Date calendar at 3 o'clock aperture. 18k yellow gold oyster bracelet with flip-lock clasp. Fits 6 1/4" wrist.

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Thief, 39, stole £100,000 of Rolex watches and jewellery from his girlfriend while she had a massage at their five-star Soho hotel - before leaving a grovelling note claiming he was in a 'life and death situation' after racking up huge debts

• Abdow Abdurahman, 39, snatched valuables from Riana Roopnarine to pay debt 

A thief, who stole Rolex watches and jewellery worth £100,000 from his wealthy girlfriend while she was having a massage at a five-star Soho hotel, has been jailed.

Abdow Abdurahman, 39, snatched the valuables from Riana Roopnarine while she was visiting him in London from New York.

The pair were staying at the W Hotel when Ms Roopnarine went downstairs for a massage.

When she returned to her room, her belongings, which included a Rolex Datejust and a Rolex Yachtmaster, had gone and a note had been left by Abdurahman saying he would make it up to her. 

The thief claimed he needed £50,000 to pay off debts after his business had fallen into hard times.

Abdurahman fled before he was due to be sentenced last December but eventually handed himself in on January 24. 

He was jailed for 24 months, with one month consecutive for absconding, after admitting one count of theft at Southwark Crown Court. 

In a victim impact statement Ms Roopnarine said: 'I can recover from the financial loss, but I cannot recover from the emotional loss, as the gold jewellery was passed on to me from my ancestors, and that is something I can never get back.

'This theft by someone I trusted and cared for deeply left me emotionally shattered.

'The betrayal and violation of trust resulted in me feeling an overwhelming sense of heartbreak and sadness and a deep sense of personal betrayal.'

The pair had met while on holiday in Jamaica and booked a room for the luxurious London hotel on February 26. 

During their stay, the couple went down for a massage but Abdurahman complained that an Indian meal the night before had caused him stomach problems.

He then went back to the room and by the time Ms Roopnarine returned to join him he had left and locked the suite.

The thief left a note which read: 'It was a life or death situation. I will make it up to you.'

The victim then called the police and on March 10 Abdurahman was arrested.

Judge David Tomlinson told Abdurahman: 'I accept that at the time of the offence you had a legitimate business that was struggling financially.

'I accept that you are remorseful and you wish you could turn back the clock.

'However, it does seem that earlier attempts by Ms Roopnarine to approach you in the immediate aftermath of the theft were frustrated. It seems that you blocked her.

'The fact that you absconded rather undermines the credit that you would have been entitled to.

'You took advantage of her vulnerability and trust rather than intentionally targeting her.'

Andrew Hill, defending, said: 'I don't accept that this was pre-planned, why would he know that she would be coming with jewellery?

'His business was in trouble and he owed money.

'He was £50,000 in debt.'

Detective Constable Terry Henry, who led the investigation, said: 'Abdow undermined the trust of a woman who would have done anything for him, had he just asked.

'Instead he went behind her back and not only stole her irreplaceable and cherished possessions but also left her heartbroken.

'Abdow tried to take what he thought was the easy way out, but thanks to our extensive CCTV analysis and detailed victim and witness statements, we were able to provide enough evidence to convince the jury of his guilt.'

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Rolex Midsize

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About Rolex Midsize Watches

Along with both men's and women's models, Rolex also produces a number of 'Midsize' watches that offer case diameters that sit between the classic gents and ladies sizes. Although most Rolex watches produced up until the 1940s have case sizes that would classify them as midsize models by today's standards, it was not until the 1950s that Rolex specifically began producing smaller sized versions of some of their best-selling designs.

Rolex Midsize watches will sometimes be referred to as ‘boys size’ models in older catalogs and marketing materials, and this term is also used to describe midsize watches from a variety of other brands. While Midsize Rolex watches offer slightly reduced case dimensions and often do not feature quite as many options as the standard-size models in the brand's catalog, all Rolex Midsize watches are built to the same legendary standards that serve as the foundation of Rolex's sterling reputation.

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Midsize Rolex Watch History

Most of the full-size wristwatches that were produced during the early years of Rolex's history would be considered 'mid-size' by today's standards. However, these timepieces were never originally produced to be mid-size models and were simply standard men's models for the time. Their smaller case sizes are simply a reflection of consumer preferences at the time, rather than an intentional effort by Rolex to produce a more compact watch.

Following the success of the 1945 launch of the Datejust collection, Rolex began to introduce additional sizes of date-displaying wristwatches during the 1950s. This marked the official start of Rolex Midsize models as watches that were specifically produced to be smaller versions of existing models. Along with ladies watches that were significantly smaller, Rolex also introduced several mid-size models that were slightly smaller than their full-size counterparts, while still significantly larger than the Lady-Datejust watches.

Since the 1950s, Midsize Rolex watches have remained a constant part of the brand's catalog; however the definition of 'mid-size' has changed over the years. Historically, 36mm was the standard size for Rolex's various men's models. While many of the brand's sports watches offered larger case diameters, 36mm was the largest size available for many of Rolex’s most famous classic watches like the Datejust and Day-Date collections.

However, once Rolex released larger 40mm and 41mm versions of their classic watches, the traditional 36mm versions became classified as 'mid-size' models, while the 31mm versions technically became grouped into the 'small-size' category within the Rolex catalog. Most 36mm watches are still considered men's Rolex watches, but since they are no longer the largest size available within their respective collections, they are now found under the mid-size category within the Datejust collection section on the Rolex website. Today, Rolex Midsize watches can be found with case diameters ranging from 31mm to 36mm, with the 34mm and 36mm versions offering a number of different dial and bezel styles that will appeal equally to both men and women alike.

Additionally, it is also worth noting that while the majority of the Midsize Rolex watches are from the brands various classic collections, the Yacht-Master is the only Rolex sports watch to ever offer models with reduced case diameters. In the past, there were both Midsize and Lady Yacht-Master watches alongside the standard 40mm movel; however the ladies model has been discontinued, and the case diameter of the Midsize version has been increased from 35mm to 37mm for a slightly more contemporary look and feel.

Today, there are more Midsize Rolex watches in the brand's catalog than ever before, and they are becoming increasingly popular among female buyers. Historically, Rolex has always adhered to rather modest case proportions for its watches, but as modern consumer preferences have called for larger timepieces, Rolex has adapted, and now offers a wide variety of timepieces that are slightly more compact than the fill-size models, while still being significantly larger than the traditional Rolex women's watches.

How Much Is A Midsize Rolex Watch?

Retail prices for Midsize Rolex watches start at $5,000 for the 31mm Oyster Perpetual in full stainless steel and increase from there depending on a variety of factors such as the specific model and the materials used in its construction. On the pre-owned market, prices for used Midsize Rolex watches start out at roughly $2,695 for older discontinued models and reach well into the tens of thousands of dollars for models crafted from precious metals and set with diamonds or other gemstones.

Rolex Midsize Prices

Given that Midsize Rolex watches exist across a wide variety of different collections, the price range for Rolex Midsize models is incredibly large. Certain Rolex Midsize watches are simple stainless steel models with time-only movements, while others feature calendar displays and are crafted from solid 18k gold or platinum and set with diamonds and other precious gemstones. Consequently, the price range for Midsize Rolex watches can span anywhere between a few thousand dollars and tens of thousands of dollars.

When purchased brand-new at retail, the least expensive Midsize Rolex watch is the 31mm Oyster Perpetual in full stainless steel, which costs $5,000. Consequently the most expensive Rolex Midsize model would be one of the diamond-encrusted Pearlmaster 34mm watches in solid 18k Everose pink gold. Even the most affordable versions of these models will all cost tens of thousands of dollars when purchased brand-new, and the most expensive models will not even have their retail prices listed on the official Rolex website, with ‘ price upon request’ being the only thing stated.

With that in mind, these ultra-luxurious Midsize Rolex watches can often be found at a significant savings on the pre-owned market. At retail, these models are some of the most expensive Rolex watches available, and while they will never be inexpensive due to the premium nature of their materials, second-hand prices typically do not come without the steep premiums that are charged at retail. For those looking for the ultimate luxurious Rolex Midsize watch, buying a Pearlmaster on the pre-owned market is the most cost-effective way of purchasing one.

Generally speaking, more modern Rolex Midsize watches will be more expensive than their older counterparts, and those crafted from precious metals will almost always cost more than full stainless steel or two-tone models. Even on the pre-owned market, the price range for used midsize models is incredibly large, which means that there is a Midsize Rolex watch for every possible wrist and budget.

Rolex Midsize Watch Models

Rolex midsize watch sizes.

Since the 'Midsize' designation applies to a number of different Rolex watches, the actual size of a Midsize Rolex can vary depending on the specific collection. Including both current-production and discontinued models, Rolex Midsize watches are available in the following sizes:

• 31mm - Oyster Precision, Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Date
• 34mm - Oyster Precision, Oyster Perpetual, Date, Air-King,
• 36mm - Oyster Precision, Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Day-Date
• 37mm - Yacht-Master

Rolex Midsize Datejust

The Datejust is Rolex's best-selling watch collection of all time, and as a result of its success, the collection is offered with a remarkably diverse range of options and variations. Rolex Midsize Datejust models include the 31mm Datejust 31 and the 36mm Datejust 36. However, the collection also technically includes the 34mm Rolex Date. Although the Date has a slightly different name compared to the Datejust, the functionality of the two watches is virtually identical, and Rolex now includes the Date 34 as part of the greater Datejust collection on its official website. Additionally, it is worth noting that Rolex recently began grouping the 31mm version of the Datejust into the ‘small size’ category, as there is now a 41mm version that has taken over the 'large size' position within the brand's catalog. With that in mind, Midsize Rolex Datejust watches are offered in a wide variety of different materials and also with a vast range of options in regards to the different dials, bezels, and bracelets that are fitted to them.

Rolex Midsize Oyster Perpetual

As Rolex's most simple and straightforward watch collection, the Oyster Perpetual represents the entry-point into Rolex ownership. Much like the Datejust, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual collection is available in a number of different sizes, including several Midsize options. Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are produced with case sizes that range from 26mm to 39mm, with the 31mm, 34mm, and 36mm versions occupying the Midsize options. In the past, Midsize Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches were produced in both two-tone and solid gold configurations; however all current-production Oyster Perpetual watches are crafted entirely from stainless steel, regardless of case size.

Rolex Midsize President

The 'Rolex President' nickname typically applies to the brand’s flagship Day-Date collection, and there has never been a Rolex Day-Date watch with a case-diameter smaller than 36mm. With the introduction of the larger Day-Date watches, the 36mm version became the Midsize option and additional dial and bezel styles were added to the line. However, in addition to the 36mm Day-Date President, there is also a 31mm Rolex Midsize President, which is actually a Datejust 31 crafted entirely from solid gold and fitted with Rolex’s iconic President bracelet. Although the Rolex Day-Date 36 could technically be considered a Midsize Rolex President, it is actually the 31mm solid gold Datejust on a President bracelet that is officially known as the Midsize President model.

Rolex Midsize Yacht-Master

While much of Rolex's legendary reputation was built upon its purpose-built sport and tool watches, the Yacht-Master collection is the only like of Rolex sports watches to offer a smaller version of the original model. At the present time, the Rolex Yacht-Master 37 is the Midsize Yacht-Master model within the brand's lineup; however in the past, Rolex offered both Midsize (35mm) and Lady Yacht-Master (29mm) models. While the classic 40mm model is technically the mid-size option within the current Rolex Yacht-Master lineup, as it sits in the middle between the 37mm and 42mm models, it is actually the 37mm version of the Yacht-Master that is officially classified as the 'mid-sized' model within the brand's current catalog.

Who Wears Rolex Midsize Watches?

Due to the numerous different sizes available, and the variety of different collections in which they can be found, Rolex Midsize watches can be spotted on the wrists of countless celebrities and other high-profile individuals.

Celebrities That Wear A Midsize Rolex

• Ryan Gosling
• Jennifer Aniston
• Anthony Bourdain
• Harrison Ford
• Sylvia Earle
• David Backham
• Jennifer Lopez
• Kim Kardashian
• Aziz Ansari

Common Rolex Midsize Questions

What size is a rolex midsize watch.

Rolex currently produces watches with case sizes that range from 26mm to 44mm; however these days, it is generally accepted that those with case diameters between 31mm and 36mm fall into the "Midsize Rolex" category. With that in mind, 36mm has historically been the standard size for men's models and still is an incredibly popular size for men’s watches, while 31mm is now what Rolex would classify as a "small size" within the current Datejust collection on their official website. Additionally models such as the Rolex Yacht-Master 37 are classified as midsize watches simply because they are smaller versions of the standard model (40mm), despite their fairly average case diameters.

Does Rolex Still Make A Midsize?

Despite the definition of 'midsize' changing slightly over the years, Rolex does still make midsize watches by all definitions of the term. As of 2020, Rolex currently produces Midsize watches with 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, and 37mm case diameters, and these sizes are offered across 6 different collections within their catalog, including the Datejust, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual, Date, and Pearlmaster,

What Are The Sizes Of Rolex Watches?

Rolex watches exist with case sizes that range from 24mm all the way up to 44mm, and some vintage ladies' cocktail watches can have cases that are even smaller. With that in mind, not all sizes are available for every Rolex watch collection, and many Rolex models are only manufactured in one size. Including discontinued models, Rolex's various self-winding watches can be found with the following case sizes: 24mm, 26mm, 28mm, 29mm, 31mm, 34mm, 35mm, 36mm, 37mm, 39mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, and 44mm.

How Do You Measure A Rolex?

Typically, the size you will see listed for a Rolex watch refers to the diameter of its case. This measurement excludes any additional protrusions the watch case might have such as the lugs, winding crown, crown-guards, or chronograph pushers, To measure a Rolex watch, take either a ruler, tape measure, or set of calipers, and measure the diameter across the center of the case from one edge to another.

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Top 20 Facts about the City of Moscow

Moscow Metro- by A.Savin - Wikimedia Commons

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20 facts about the city of moscow, 1. moscow’s oldest surviving building is more than 550 years old.

Assumption Cathedral – Wikimedia Commons

2. The world’s largest medieval fortress is found in Moscow

Moscow Kremlin on foreground- by Pavel Kazachkov- Wikimedia Commons

3. Moscow hosts Russia’s largest zoo

Moscow Zoo entrance- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

4. Trains with the most frequency in the world are found in Moscow

Moscow Metro- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

 5. The City of Moscow hosts the World’s second-largest library

Russian State Library main building interior- by A.Savin – Wikimedia Commons

6. The City of Moscow is home of the Babushka doll

Babushka dolls variety- by Ph. Saget – Wikimedia Commons

7. The City of Moscow hosts the world’s largest university building

Moscow State University- by Dmitry A. Mottl- Wikimedia Commons

8. The City of Moscow hosts one of the largest urban parks in the world

Visitor at Izmailovo Park- by Kristy2906 -Wikimedia Commons

9. Europe’s largest botanical garden is found in Moscow

Moscow’s Botanical Garden- by AlixSaz- Wikimedia Commons

10. The City of Moscow boasts 7 identical skyscrapers

Seven Sisters side by side pictures- by okruz- Wikimedia Commons

11. The City of Moscow FBI buildings were once torture chambers

Peasants tortured by Saltykova- by P. V. Kurdyumov – Wikimedia Commons

12. The first man in space was buried in Moscow

Yuri Gagrin- by P. V. Kurdyumov- Wikimedia Commons

13. Victory Obelisk is Moscow’s highest Monument

Victory Obelisk- by GAlexandrova- Wikimedia Commons

14. Moscow has an underground river

15. moscow’s stray dogs can navigate the metro, 16. lenin’s corpse is preserved in a mausoleum in moscow’s red square.

Lenin Mausoleum at the Red Square- by NVO- Wikimedia Commons

17. The largest bell in the world is found in the City of Moscow

Tsar Bell- by W. Bulach- Wikimedia Commons

18. The City of Moscow has billionaire residents

19. old moscow was segregated, 20. the city of moscow and england share an insignia.

St. George on Horseback slaying the dragon- by W. Bulach- Wikimedia Commons

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Moscow to Saint Petersburg

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Gold, Platinum  Airport transfer / Check-in at centrally located Marriott Aurora***** or Ararat Park Hyatt*****

Imperial : Private airport transfer / Check-in at the luxurious Four Seasons Moscow***** only a minute from the Kremlin and Red Square

Volga dream experience:

Gold: City Tour / Novodevichy Cemetery Imperial, Platinum:  City tour / Lunch in a Moscow City Skyscraper / Novodevichy Cemetery / Sparrow Hills

Meals: Breakfast

Platinum / Imperial

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Gold:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / GUM Department Store

Platinum:  Moscow Kremlin / Armory Museum / Red Square / St. Basil’s Cathedral / GUM Department Store / Park Zaryadye

Gold:  Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Platinum:  Leo Tolstoy House-Museum in Hamovniki / Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow Metro Tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gold, Platinum:  Town of Uglich / Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood

Volga dream experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class

Gold, Platinum:  Yaroslavl City Tour / Governor’s house 

Volga dream experience: Sun Deck Barbeque

Gold:  Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery  

Platinum:  Ferapontov Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting

Gold, Platinum: Kizhi Island / Lake Onega

Volga dream experience: Piano Concert – Compositions by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov

Gold, Platinum:  Svirstroy village / Local resident’s home / Local primary school

Volga dream experience: Farewell Dinner, Captain’s cocktail

Gold:  City Tour / Peter and Paul Fortress

Platinum:  City Tour / St. Isaac’s Cathedral / Canal boat / Yusupov Palace

Gold:  The State Hermitage Museum / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Platinum:  The State Hermitage Museum (Early Entrance!) / Gold Room / Peterhof: Park and a historic Cottage

Gold:  Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Platinum:  Faberge Museum / Catherine’s Palace / Amber Room

Meals: Breakfast / Imperial

Gold, Platinum, Imperial: Check-out / Airport transfer

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.css-1obzumv{font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(1.875rem, 1.25rem + 1.5625vw, 3.125rem);line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem;line-height:1.1;}.css-1obzumv:lang(th){line-height:1.5;} Yacht-Master 40 .css-18uwo57{font-size:clamp(1.125rem, 1.0625rem + 0.1563vw, 1.25rem);line-height:1.6;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2;text-wrap:balance;}.css-18uwo57 span{display:block;} Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and platinum Reference 126622

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Stay the course

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 in Oystersteel and platinum with an Oyster bracelet.

Bidirectional rotatable bezel, timing the distance.

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt, sand-blasted background.

This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Exceptional legibility

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 40 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display.

The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

A legendary combination

Many Rolex watches are available with the now-legendary combination of yellow, white or Everose gold and steel known as Rolesor, but Rolesium is a creation specific to the Yacht-Master.

While the case and bracelet are in rugged Oystersteel, the bezel of the Rolesium versions is made of platinum, imparting a silvery whiteness and vibrant luminosity for an unmistakable sense of luxury.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex.

This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   126622

Model case .css-1tg8aam{--iconSize:12px;--iconStrokeWidth:2px;height:var(--iconSize);position:relative;width:var(--iconSize);}.css-1tg8aam::before,.css-1tg8aam::after{background:currentColor;content:"";display:block;height:var(--iconStrokeWidth);left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:50%;-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 0.6s;transition:transform 0.6s;will-change:transform;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion){.css-1tg8aam::before,.css-1tg8aam::after{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-160voq8 .css-1tg8aam::after{-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);}.no-js .css-1tg8aam{display:none;}

Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel and platinum

Oyster architecture

Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Rolesium - combination of Oystersteel and platinum

Platinum bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated with raised numerals

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

3235, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. Instantaneous date with rapid setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 70 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Oystersteel

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Learn how to set the time and other functions of your Rolex watch by consulting our user guides.

Yacht-Master 40

Contact an Official Rolex Retailer

Only official Rolex retailers are allowed to sell and maintain a Rolex watch. With the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, they guarantee the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex and help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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