The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 226659 with the Falcon's Eye dial is the stone dial variant of the white gold Yacht-Master. Rolex occasionally releases Yacht-Masters with natural stone dials. Falcon's Eye is a blue-grey mineral with chatoyant striations that shift under light. Each dial has a different pattern. The gen is solid white gold. VSF uses polished 904L steel to approximate the look. The 42mm case, the matte black ceramic bezel, and the Oysterflex strap carry over from the standard 226659. The stone dial is the difference. VSF Watch Factory got the Falcon's Eye texture and the case finishing right.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factory | VSF Watch Factory |
| Reference | 226659-0004 (Yacht-Master 42, white gold finish, Falcon's Eye dial, Oysterflex) |
| Movement | Dandong 3235 automatic, 1:1 clone, 72-hour power reserve |
| Case dimensions | 42mm diameter |
| Material | 904L stainless steel, polished white gold finish |
| Bezel | Bidirectional rotating matte black Cerachrom ceramic with polished raised numerals |
| Crystal | Sapphire with cyclops lens and AR coating |
| Dial | Genuine Falcon's Eye natural stone with blue-grey chatoyant streaks, Chromalight markers, white gold-tone hands |
| Strap | Black Oysterflex-style elastomer with titanium-nickel blade and Oysterlock clasp |
The dial. Falcon's Eye is a natural stone with chatoyancy. The mineral has fibrous inclusions that catch light and produce a moving sheen across the surface. The color is blue-grey with darker streaks. No two dials are identical. The stone is cut thin enough to fit a watch dial without cracking, which is harder to manufacture than a standard brass dial. The applied Chromalight indices and the white gold-toned Mercedes hands sit on top of the stone. The lume glows blue in the dark. The "YACHT-MASTER" text is printed directly on the stone surface. The date at 3 sits under the cyclops lens. A stone dial Yacht-Master is a different proposition from the standard black dial. It is not trying to be a tool watch. The dial makes that clear. VSF sourced a convincing Falcon's Eye material and the chatoyant effect is visible under normal light.
The case. 42mm in 904L steel polished to a white gold tone. The gen is solid 18K white gold. VSF uses a high-polish finish on the case flanks and lug shoulders to match the cooler, brighter look of white gold without plating. The 42mm platform is the larger Yacht-Master. It has more wrist presence than the 40mm models. The lugs are curved and ergonomic. The Triplock crown has crown guards and screws down. VSF's polish quality and case proportions are correct.
The bezel. Matte black Cerachrom ceramic with polished raised numerals. The same bezel design as the rest of the Yacht-Master line. Sandblasted matte background. Polished numerals. Bidirectional rotation with smooth, precise clicks. The black ceramic and the polished white gold-toned case create the monochrome backdrop that lets the stone dial do the talking.
The movement. Dandong 3235 automatic with a 72-hour power reserve. Three days off the wrist without stopping. The date flips instantaneously at midnight. Blue hairspring and correct shock absorber layout. Winding is smooth and reliable.
The strap. Black Oysterflex elastomer with a titanium-nickel blade inside for structure and longitudinal cushions underneath for airflow. The clasp is the Oysterlock in polished steel with an Easylink extension of roughly 5mm. The Glidelock is not included on the Oysterflex models. The black strap keeps the focus on the stone dial and the polished case. Strap changes are possible but the Oysterflex is the correct pairing.