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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ultimate Buying Guide

First released at Baselworld 2019, the Yacht-Master 42 is the newest and largest addition to the Rolex Yacht-Master lineup. Historically, the Yacht Master collection has been the only Rolex sports model available in multiple sizes; however, until the release of the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659, 40mm was the largest case size available. Despite the fact that the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 introduced a new and larger 42mm case to the collection, at the time of writing, the model is only offered in a single configuration: a 42mm white gold case fitted with a black dial, black ceramic bezel, and matching black Oysterflex bracelet.

At first glance, the Rolex Yacht Master 42 reference 226659 appears very similar to the 40mm Everose gold model that is also fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet. Both watches feature black dials, matte black ceramic bezels with raised polished numerals, black Oysterflex bracelets, and Rolex’s in-house Caliber 3235 movement. However, while the core design of the Yacht-Master 42 is shared with the other Oysterflex Yacht-Master watches, the larger case paired with its toned-down monochromatic color profile makes it immediately distinct, and these small changes come together to make the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 the perfect poster child for the modern Rolex brand.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Reference 226659

Yacht-Master 226659 Key Features:

– Reference Number: 226659

– Production Years: 2019 – Present

– Case Size: 42mm

– Materials: 18k White Gold

– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds; Date Display

– Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Luminescence: Chromalight

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Black Ceramic Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale

– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3235

– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet

– Strap/Bracelet: Oysterflex Bracelet

– Clasp: Oysterlock Safety Clasp w/ Glidelock Extension System

– Approx. Price: $28,900 (Retail); $33,500 (Pre-Owned)

Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Yacht-Master.

The History of the Rolex Yacht Master 42

Compared to many of Rolex’s other lines of watches, the Yacht-Master is a fairly young collection, having only just joined the brand’s catalog in 1992. While Rolex originally built much of its reputation by producing tough-as-nails tool watches, the brand had already started to make its transition towards becoming an all-out luxury manufacturer by the 1980s, and the Yacht-Master was created as an unapologetically luxurious take on the brand’s classic sports watch.

The Rolex Yacht-Master largely follows the same overall design as the Submariner, but leans more towards the opulent and luxurious side of things, rather than being a purpose-built underwater timing tool. Both the Submariner and the Yacht-Master feature rotating timing bezels, but while the Submariner’s bezel rotates unidirectionally and features a luminous dot at the zero-marker, the Yacht-Master’s moves bi-directionally and omits the luminous dot in favor of an insert crafted from either solid gold, platinum, or black ceramic. Similarly, all Rolex Yacht-Master watches feature precious metals somewhere in their construction. Even the most humble models that are largely crafted from stainless steel feature solid platinum bezels, and while the bezel insert on the reference 226659 is built from black ceramic, the watch itself is crafted from solid 18k white gold.

Initially, the Rolex Yacht-Master was exclusively offered in solid yellow gold and with a 40mm case. However, over the years, the collection expanded to include other case sizes and materials including both two-tone and Rolesium (a combination of stainless steel and platinum) references. Both a 29mm Lady Yacht-Master and 35mm Midsize Yacht-Master were previously offered alongside the standard 40mm model, but these two smaller versions were ultimately discontinued in favor of the Midsize Yacht-Master 37.

With that in mind, Baselworld 2019 marked the arrival of both an all-new Yacht-Master size and a new material option for the collection. With the launch of the reference 226659, not only was the Rolex Yacht-Master now available with a 42mm case diameter for the first time in its history but it was also offered with a solid 18k white gold case – something that was previously not an option within the standard Yacht-Master collection. While the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 marked a major step forward for the collection, the new 42mm case size is exclusively available for the ref. 226659, and the watch is only available in one single configuration. Given that the Yacht-Master 42 has only been on the market for a couple of years, many collectors speculate that the solid 18k white gold ref. 226659 is just the first of many 42mm Rolex Yacht-Master watches.

Rolex Yacht Master 42 Defining Elements

For the most part, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 reference 226659 is a larger, white gold version of the Everose Yacht-Master 40 that is also on an Oysterflex bracelet. However, the ref. 226659 does possess a number of unique traits that make it immediately identifiable and separate it from all other Rolex watches.

42mm White Gold Case

Probably the single most defining feature of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 reference 226659 is its 42mm case crafted from solid 18k white gold. Not only is this unique because the ref. 226659 is the only 42mm Yacht-Master model, but it also holds the distinction of being the only one that has ever been constructed from white gold. Over the course of the Yacht-Master’s history, it has been created in full 18k yellow gold, Yellow Rolesor (stainless steel and yellow gold), Rolesium (stainless steel and platinum), full 18k Everose gold, and Everose Rolesor (stainless steel and Everose gold). Additionally, there is even a version of the 44mm Yacht-Master II regatta timer that is built from white gold with a platinum bezel, but the reference 226659 is the only iteration of the classic Yacht-Master to be offered in full 18k white gold.

Black Cerachrom Bezel

Just like the 37mm and 40mm Everose gold Rolex Yacht-Master models that are also fitted with Oysterflex bracelets, the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 receives a bidirectional timing bezel with an insert that is crafted from Rolex’s proprietary Cerachrom ceramic material. The black ceramic insert is given a matte-sandblasted texture, with raised graduations that feature a high-polish finish for improved contrast. Despite having both a different case size and being made from different materials, the matte black ceramic insert on the Yacht-Master 42 instantly unites it with the rest of the Oysterflex bracelets Yacht-Master watches in Rolex’s portfolio.

Oysterflex Bracelet

The Rolex Oysterflex bracelet is quite possibly the most over-engineered rubber strap in the world – however, to call it a “rubber strap” is a bit misleading. Rolex specifically refers to it as a bracelet within its catalog because the elastomer strap features a flexible metal core for optimum durability and longevity. Additionally, the underside of the strap features a comfort pad that elevates the strap slightly off the wrist, better distributing the weight of the watch and promoting airflow and breathability.

One of the more interesting details about how Rolex has chosen to structure its catalog is that the Oysterflex bracelet (seemingly the most sporty and least formal option) is exclusively equipped to the brand’s solid gold models. Whether fitted to a Daytona, Sky-Dweller, or Yacht-Master watch, all of the Oysterflex-equipped models are crafted from solid 18k gold (either yellow, white, or Everose). At the time of writing, the Oysterflex bracelet is only found on the full 18k Everose gold Yachtmaster 40 and Yacht-Master 37 watches, along with the 18k white gold Yacht-Master 42.

Rolex Caliber 3235 Movement

Despite being 2mm larger than the current Yacht-Master 40, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is powered by the exact same Caliber 3235 movement. Designed and manufactured entirely in-house by Rolex, the Cal. 3235 represents the brand’s latest generation of date-displaying mechanical movements and can be found in a number of other date-displaying Rolex watches, including all-time classics like the Datejust and the Submariner.

The Caliber 3235 movement is based around Rolex’s new Chronergy escapement, which features a skeletonized structure for improved efficiency. When combined with Rolex’s proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring and a redesigned gear train and mainspring barrel, the Caliber 3235 offers users an increased power reserve of 70 hours, which represents a significant step up from the 48-hour reserve offered by its predecessor. Additionally, despite its improved efficiency, the Rolex Cal. 3235 movement adheres to the same incredibly stringent ‘Superlative Chronometer’ precision standards, which permit a maximum timekeeping deviation of -2/+2 seconds per day.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Price and Availability

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 reference 226659 has only been around for a couple of years, so it is still in production and available for purchase from retailers and boutiques. However, as anyone who is familiar with Rolex watches will tell you, finding the model you want brand-new and available for immediate sale is virtually impossible and for many highly popular references, there is no way to buy a brand-new Rolex without spending a significant amount of time on a waiting list. As a result of this lack of availability on a retail level, many buyers turn to the secondary market, where they can add a Rolex Yachtmaster 42 ref. 226659 to their collections without the wait.

How Much is a Rolex Yacht-Master 42?

As of 2021, the retail price for a brand-new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 reference 226659 is $28,900, which represents a $1,600 premium compared to its 40mm Everose gold counterpart. However, due to the fact that the white gold Yacht-Master 42 cannot be purchased at a retail level without being on a waiting list, pre-owned prices exceed their brand-new values and you can expect to pay a premium of several thousand dollars if you wish to skip the line and add one to your collection today.

Where to Buy a Rolex Yacht-Master 42

Since the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 is still in production, you can technically still buy it brand-new from Rolex retailers and boutiques – just as long as you are willing to wait out the cue. A similar story exists for most of the popular modern Rolex models; however, compared to the steep premiums that many of the brand’s stainless steel sports watches trade hands for on the open market (which can frequently reach values in excess of 100% above their brand-new retail prices), the comparatively reasonable premium of a few thousand dollars to skip the line for a reference 226659 Yachtmaster 42 means that buyers often opt for a pre-owned example, where availability is immediate and guaranteed.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42: A Modern Luxury Sports Watch

Rolex may have originally built much of its legendary reputation by building tough and reliable sport and tool watches, but the brand’s days as a manufacturer of utilitarian timekeeping devices have long since passed. These days, Rolex is an all-out luxury brand and it is arguably the single most famous luxury label in the entire world. The thought of a military branch supplying its troops with Rolex Submariner watches has become almost comical given that countless people all around the globe are unable to buy a Submariner, despite being more than willing to pay full retail price for one. In fact, the Rolex Submariner is so in-demand that most people are willing to pay far more than the brand-new retail price, just to skip the multi-year waiting list and add one to their collections.

Despite Rolex’s transition towards becoming a luxury manufacturer, it has never stopped producing reliable and finely crafted sports watches. However, the nature of its sports watches has certainly evolved to take on a more luxury-oriented approach, just like the brand’s positioning within the greater watch market. Rolex was producing sports watches back in the 1950s and 1960s and although its products were always considered to be premium timepieces, they were hardly regarded as luxury items, let alone status symbols.

These days, Rolex sports watches are some of the most iconic and desirable luxury timepieces in existence, and wearing one has become a universally recognized symbol of success and personal accomplishment. As a result of the implicit connotations that they carry, modern Rolex sports watches need to do more than just be tough and reliable; they also need to offer a bit of flash and match the opulent and exclusive image of Rolex itself.

The Yacht-Master 42 reference 226659 is the perfect poster-child for the modern Rolex brand. Its monochromatic color profile paired with its matte black ceramic bezel and black Oysterflex bracelet makes the watch inherently casual and sporty, and at first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was a humble stainless steel model. However, at its core, the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 is a $30k solid gold Rolex. Wearing a Rolex watch has become a universally recognized status symbol, but Rolex is not a brand known for making over-the-top, statement pieces. The white gold Yacht-Master 42 is the perfect statement piece for those that do not want to make a statement, and that is precisely why the reference 226659 is the perfect poster-child for the modern Rolex brand.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium M226627-0001

MODEL AVAILABILITY

All Rolex watches are assembled by hand with the utmost care to ensure exceptional quality. Such high standards naturally restrict Rolex production capacity and, at times, the demand for Rolex watches outpaces this capacity.

Therefore, the availability of certain models may be limited. New Rolex watches are exclusively sold by Official Rolex Jewelers, who receive regular deliveries and independently manage the allocation and sales of watches to customers.

Ben Bridge Jeweler is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Jewelers and can provide information on the availability of Rolex watches

Light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is the ally of those seeking freedom of movement. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it puts watchmaking excellence at the service of sporting performance.   The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX titanium released by Rolex after the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, confirming that lightness is a quality to be taken seriously..

ROLEX YACHT-MASTER

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

• Self Winding/Automatic
• Chronometer (Cosc)
• Yellow Gold

Water resistance

• 10.00atm / 100.00m / 330.00ft
• Deployment Buckle

Official description

Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42. From now on, the nautical watch is also available in 18 ct yellow gold, after having been offered uniquely in 18 ct white gold. The new version, which, like the original model, includes a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a Cerachrom insert with a raised graduation as well as the innovative Oysterflex bracelet, benefits from an optimized Chromalight display. The hour markers and hands are filled or coated with a new luminescent material, exclusive to Rolex, that guarantees a longer-lasting intense glow. In daylight, these display elements also have a brighter white hue. The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 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 42 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium M226627-0001

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The Complete Guide to Rolex Watches: Every Model for Sale in 2024

Everything you need to know about Rolex’s current watch lineup, including prices, provenance and more.

By Johnny Brayson , Jack Seemer , Zen Love , Oren Hartov , and Allen Farmelo

Buyers new to Rolex face mountains of information, both current and historical. Hell, even ardent fans have trouble keeping up. As of 2024, Rolex makes hundreds of individual references, divided into over a dozen different collections:

Rolex Submariner

Rolex gmt-master ii, rolex cosmograph daytona, rolex sea-dweller, rolex deepsea, rolex explorer, rolex explorer ii, rolex air-king, rolex yacht-master, rolex oyster perpetual, rolex datejust, rolex day-date, rolex sky-dweller.

Editor’s Note: The above taxonomy is Rolex’s own. For our purposes, we’ve separated the Explorer and Explorer II, as they’re two very different watches and occupy unique positions in Rolex’s overall lineup.

Classic vs. Professional: What’s the Difference?

If those collections weren’t enough to keep track of, each one falls into one of two major categories: Classic and Professional .

In the simplest of terms, think of Rolex’s Classic watches — which include the Day-Date, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, Sky-Dweller and 1908 — as dressier timepieces designed for everyday wear. They weren’t developed for a specific professional pursuit, such as diving.

The Professional watches — which include the Submariner, Air-King, GMT-Master II, Yacht-Master, Cosmograph Daytona, Sea-Dweller, Deepsea and Explorer — were developed for a specific purpose, be it SCUBA diving , driving , spelunking , etc.

It’s important to note that while a certain number of the Professional watches do include specific functionality and increased water resistance , the Classic watches are no less well-built. After all, you’ll find the Sky-Dweller , currently Rolex’s most complicated watch , housed within the Classic collection.

So for readers ready to make the leap, here’s everything you need to know about each current Rolex men’s watch, including its history and features.

Rolex, Blancpain and Zodiac were neck and neck in releasing the first dive watches with rotating bezels. However, when in 1953 Rolex put an external diving bezel on a more robust version of its already famously water-resistant Oyster Perpetual, kept the automatic winding in place, and added a sturdy adjustable bracelet, the most iconic and important dive watch in history was born. (Rolex, however, was prevented from implementing a unidirectional dive bezel for years due to possible patent infringement.)

It wasn’t really until the 1980s, however, that the Sub became the fashionable item it is now, largely due to preppy folks sporting them as an assertion of an active lifestyle that, more likely, revolved around cocktails at the yacht club. Alas, tool watches became fashion items during this decade, and the rest is horological history.

Rolex understood that its Submariner had ascended from tool to jewel, and so gold, two-tone, and even diamond-encrusted versions cropped up during the decade of materialism. Today, however, it’s the plain steel models that are impossible to come by at retail and which sell for as much as 25 percent above retail among enthusiasts, while gold models are much less sought after. It’s a strange phenomenon, but people around the world are clamoring for steel Subs.

When Pan American Airlines ruled the trans-Atlantic skies in the 1950s, Rolex designed the original GMT-Master for their pilots, who needed to track multiple time zones simultaneously. In 1982, the Crown upgraded to the GMT-Master II — a new movement and an independently adjustable local hour hand turned out to be big hits as steel and gold models asserted a pitch-perfect jet-setting attitude.

Plenty of folks knew to rock a Rolex Submariner for maximum panache but rocking a GMT-Master II was a slyly stylish move that demonstrated the owner’s uniqueness. To this day, the GMT-Master II emits a reserved eccentricity.

In 2007, Rolex put out an improved GMT-Master II with a ceramic Cerachrom bezel and a new movement that hosted a suite of modern updates. Since then, it’s been all about metal and color combos, which are judiciously and painfully released at a rate of about one a year.

In 2023, however, Rolex delivered something different: Yellow-gold and two-tone versions of the GMT-Master II, with material-matching jubilee bracelets and black-and-gray bezels. The brand followed that up in 2024 with an Oystersteel version featuring the same black-and-gray bezel (minus the gold accents), available on either a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet at launch.

We doubt the release will do anything to dampen the popularity of the older steel varieties — namely, the “Batman” (blue and black) and “Pepsi” (blue and red). However, getting your hands on a coveted steel GMT-Master II at retail is extremely difficult, if not entirely impossible.

Before the 1960s, Rolex housed third-party chronograph movements in Oyster cases. Then the company upped the case size, redesigned the dial and put out the space-age-sounding “Cosmograph.” Shortly thereafter, when the Crown sponsored races at Florida’s famous beach-side track and put its name on the dial, the legend of the Rolex Daytona was born — though not to much fanfare. That would come later.

Paul Newman’s wife bought him one with a creamy Bauhaus-inspired exotic dial — now called the “Newman” dial — and the famed actor casually gave it to his son-in-law (sometime in the 1980s), who auctioned it off for more than $17 million in 2017. That made this once humble and unpopular Daytona variant one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold.

The auction transformed what was already becoming an increasingly coveted watch into a crazed run on all Daytonas, old and new. Now you can hardly get one at retail, especially in all stainless steel, and the used market for Daytonas of any era in any style or metal with any dial has gone completely berserk. Like so many steel Professional models, the Daytona remains in demand and sells far above retail on the secondary market — a remarkable result for what was initially an unremarkable watch.

Since 2023, the Daytona has carried a new movement, 4131, which succeeded the 4130 that debuted in 2000 when Rolex first brought its movements in-house. To see it in all its glory, look no further than the platinum version of the watch (reference 126506), which has a unique (for Rolex) exhibition caseback.

Also launched in 2023 was the Daytona “Le Mans” ref. 126529LN. Created for the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the watch was executed in white gold with a red “100” on the bezel, an exhibition caseback and a custom movement that tracked 24 hours of the chronograph instead of 12. Most remarkable of all, its reverse panda dial featured the unexpected return of the “Paul Newman” style with its unique subdials. The watch quickly became the most hyped modern Rolex before being unceremoniously discontinued in 2024, just ten months after its initial release. An off-catalog yellow gold version has taken its place, though Rolex isn’t exactly advertising that fact.

As SCUBA matured beyond surface-level military and recreational uses, commercial, research, and exploratory techniques were developed to go deeper for longer. The Sea-Dweller was Rolex’s answer to the demands for watches capable of withstanding the pressure of these deeper dives. In 1967 upon its initial release, the Sea-Dweller was rated to a depth of 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) and was the first watch to incorporate a helium escape valve, a nifty feature for saturation dives that allows helium to escape the watch without damaging it.

The Sea-Dweller is essentially a beefed-up Submariner, but that beefing up shouldn’t be taken lightly: Rolex had to entirely re-engineer the case, the crystal, the case back and more to get this kind of water resistance, so while the Sea-Dweller resembles the Submariner on the outside, the guts are a different animal. Waterproofness in nano-scale wristwatches has turned out to provide useful tech that can be ported over to small submarines, cameras and other scientific tools that are plumbing the depths of our largely unexplored oceans. Rolex often backs those scientific expeditions, linking the watch and the brand to the essence of professional SCUBA diving.

Introduced in 2007, the Deepsea is Rolex’s most extreme dive watch with a mind-boggling depth rating of 3,900m. For most of its life it was categorized as part of the Sea-Dweller family until 2024, when it was spun off as its own independent line. Marking that transition in 2024 is the yellow-gold reference 136668LB , an absolutely absurd watch that clocks in at over half a pound and is likely the heaviest watch Rolex makes. It’s the only Rolex to feature a mix of gold, ceramic (for the bezel) and titanium (utilized for the caseback and helium escape valve because gold would fail at the pressures the watch is rated to withstand).

The Deepsea line is small, consisting only of two steel versions and the aforementioned gold. There’s also the Deepsea Challenge , which still maintains Sea-Dweller branding but is classified as a Deepsea. More experiment than everyday watch, it’s based on the prototype that accompanied James Cameron to the bottom of the Mariana Trench and is water resistant to 11,000m, the depth of the trench and a record among commercially available watches. The watch measures a whopping 50mm across and 23mm thick, but its RLX titanium construction — it was Rolex’s first-ever titanium watch — helps keep its weight down.

Contrary to popular belief, Sir Edmund Hillary was in fact not wearing a Rolex Explorer when he conquered Everest in 1953. It was allegedly a watch from British brand Smiths that he wore at the summit, while an experimental Oyster Perpetual provided by Rolex is said to have been stashed away in his gear.

Nevertheless, the feat ushered in a new Oyster Perpetual model called the Explorer with a larger case size (36mm as opposed to 34mm or smaller), which Rolex sold to a new wave of mid-century mountaineering enthusiasts. The Explorer went on to become an “entry-level” Rolex sports model due only to price, and it remains in that position to this day.

Like all Rolex models, the Explorer has gone through many permutations, including more modern iterations like the 14270 (1989-2001), now popular among vintage collectors because its tritium luminescence has finally turned beige.

As of 2023, the watch is the biggest it’s ever been, measuring 40mm in diameter and bringing it even closer to next watch on our list, the Explorer II. If you prefer to keep things historically accurate, however, a 36mm version of the Explorer, reintroduced in 2021, is also available.

A spelunking watch? That’s right. The boldly luminescent 24-hour GMT hand was included to help those living in caves keep track of day and night. While spelunking isn’t exactly a popular sport, the Explorer II became a rather popular watch among those who love a cool design and GMT functionality.

Offered today with either a black or white (“polar”) dial, the Explorer II came out in 1971 in order to “perpetuate the privileged relationship Rolex shares with exploration,” according to current marketing materials. However, the spelunking history is largely forgotten as the watch increasingly serves as a tool for adventurers of all kinds. (The more recent editions — unlike the original — feature fully functional true GMT movements, so the watches can be used for tracking second time zones.)

Though the Explorer II went from a tasty 40mm case up to a 42mm Super case in 2011, the reference 216570 was intended to celebrate the original design of 1971, which amounts to an orange GMT hand in the “correct” arrow shape. Those two extra millimeters don’t feel significant on the wrist, however, and only seem noticeable when compared directly with a 40mm model.

Like The Explorer, the Air-King had existed as the Oyster Perpetual for a long while before Rolex printed “Air-King” on the dial and began marketing it to a new set of post-WWII jet setters — men who adored and imitated the former war pilots now flying jumbo jets across the Atlantic. Released in 1945, Rolex’s new model caught that wave of enthusiasm for the future, and nothing at that moment said “future” like beautiful commercial jets that turned a weekend jaunt across the ocean to Paris, Rome or London into a reality.

Today’s model is 40mm across and carries one of the most divisive dials in Rolex’s catalog. Admittedly, the intermittent hour and minute markers on the modern Air-King — which are inspired by dashboard instruments — are visually unique (for some, jarring), as are the touches of green and yellow. It’s the only Rolex watch to feature the colored logo style on its dial. For 2022, the Air-King got a thorough refresh with the latest movement, design tweaks and, most notably, a new Oyster case featuring crown guards — giving the new Air-King a unique feature set among the brand’s collections.

For today’s Rolex enthusiasts, the Air-King is positioned at the periphery of the Professional series watches. However, you can (theoretically) get an Air-King at retail relatively easily, and that’s almost impossible to say of any other all steel model on the Professional side of the catalog. A bird in hand beats two in the bush.

By the 1980s, the Rolex Submariner had come out in gold, and preppy folks around the world were rocking them as status symbols. Rolex kind of punched the preppy class on the nose with the all-gold Yacht Master of 1992. Interestingly, the Yacht Master’s evolution has been one of increased sportiness and reduced bling since its release — not the common direction for Rolex’s evolution. The toning down of glamor and upping of ruggedness has made the Yacht-Master a bit of a sleeper model in the Rolex catalog, but it is every bit as capable as the Submariner, which it resembles.

In 1999, Rolex offered the Yacht-Master in platinum and steel “Rolesium” (reference 16622), and from there it’s been an endless riffing on precious metal combinations. Though we’ve yet to see an all-stainless steel variant (and likely never will), rumors of a titanium Yacht-Master finally came to fruition in 2023 with the release of reference 226627 .

Today’s Yacht-Master is available in 37mm, 40mm and 42mm sizes, making it the most diverse of the brand’s Professional lineup, and the watch carries all the latest Rolex technology inside and out. Distinguishing features include the “relief” bezel in ceramic or precious metal, depending on the model, and the optional Oysterflex rubber strap, which is surprisingly luxurious and durable on the wrist.

In many ways, this is the watch that launched Rolex as the king of industrial watchmaking. The “OP” was, upon its release in 1950, both highly water-resistant and automatically wound, a first-time combo. “Perpetual” refers not to it being always wound but to its rotor swinging 360 degrees around a central axis — so, perpetually winding (despite it only winding in one direction). But none of that matters much to end users, who adore these waterproof watches for their durability and midcentury, function-forward appearance.

The Oyster Perpetual has perpetually (no pun intended) been in production since then, and this model formed the basis for most other Rolex models, including the famous Submariner, the Explorer, the Air-King, the Datejust and the Day-Date. Today’s Oyster Perpetual comes in many sizes and colors and was generally one of the few Rolex models readily available at retail. (That is, such was the case until the release of a crop of brightly colored dials in 2020 — now some OPs, like the Turquoise version , can be as tough to track down as a Sub or a GMT-Master II.)

With no date, no cyclops, no complications, no fluted gold bezel, and a sleek polished and brushed case and matching bracelet, the “OP” is a pure expression of the Rolex brand, one that’s instantly recognizable despite it lacking some key iconic visual cues.

Rolex took their Oyster models (first released in the 1920s) and in 1945 added the first date complication that changed “just before” midnight, rather than taking hours to turn over. (Or was “just,” as in “accurate,” depending on your interpretation.) Sounds like a simple thing, but in the 1940s, and even now, that feature was unique and convenient. The “cyclops” date magnifier was also a first on the Datejust of 1945.

The most iconic modern Rolex Datejust retains the fluted bezel of the early Oyster models, though it serves no function now. (Originally that bezel was the receiving end of a tool that unscrewed the bezel ring to release the crystal from the mid-case. Today, that bezel is integrated into the mid-case, and the fluting is purely decorative.) Combined with the cyclops, these visual cues say “Rolex” more loudly than any other features on any other model, including the Submariner and the Daytona.

Neither too sporty nor too dressy, the Datejust is the perfect solution for the person seeking one watch to do it all. Robust, ready for water and shocks and all kinds of abuse, but dressy enough to go to a wedding or funeral, the Datejust is a midcentury classic that remains the centerpiece of Rolex’s catalog. Essential, iconic and perpetually in vogue, a Datejust might be the only watch you’ll ever require.

In 1956, Rolex released a new model with both the date at 3 o’clock and the day of the week boldly displayed in an arced aperture at the top of the dial. It also came on a newly designed three-link bracelet that glimmered in the lowest of lighting.

Few would have expected this more complicated version of the Datejust to have become the chosen watch of multiple US presidents — LBJ, JFK and Reagan among them — but that’s what happened. It certainly didn’t hurt that the watch has only ever been available in all-precious metal cases — a signifier of wealth and power if ever there was one. Its day display is also available in no fewer than 26 different languages, making it a favorite watch the world over.

Now nicknamed “The President” — though, technically, this is the official name of the watch’s unique bracelet, not the watch itself — the Day-Date is the other most recognizable Rolex after the Datejust, and no dressy 1908 or any other model seems capable of outshining it, literally and figuratively. As such, the Day-Date is always on offer in a wide array of sizes and dial colors, with enough precious metals and diamonds to cross that thin line into gaudiness — there’s even a version with a colorful puzzle dial and emojis on the date wheel. Though a stock, unadorned Day-Date remains one of the classiest watches on the market, a sign of sophistication and good taste.

The year 2012 saw Rolex release the Sky-Dweller to a very mixed response. Some hate how it looks quite vehemently, which makes it a bit of a rebel choice, while others applauded the mechanical accomplishment.

What distinguishes the Sky-Dweller is, indeed, the brilliant movement inside. This is a full-on annual calendar (displaying months, but not years), and it uses a truly clever mechanism and display: The months are indicated by a tiny aperture that turns red at each of the 12 markers around the dial, while the date is in the traditional position at 3-o’clock. A 24-hour GMT indicator is located on the ring above 6 o’clock, which is the most divisive visual feature of the Sky-Dweller.

But what truly distinguishes this movement is that the “Ring Command” bezel works as a selector for whatever function you’re looking to set via the crown: One rotates the bezel to any of seven positions and uses the crown to adjust the affiliated function. It sounds tricky, but after one try, it’s entirely intuitive.

The Sky-Dweller is 42mm across, which is on the larger side for a Rolex, and it’s available on either an Oyster, an Oysterflex or a full-gold Jubilee bracelet — making it the only model in Rolex’s catalog that’s available on all three bracelet styles.

The youngest watch in Rolex’s lineup is a callback to the year Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, trademarked the brand name and is “a clear tribute to the first Oyster Perpetual watches.”

The 1908 measures 39mm across and comes equipped with a brand-new caliber 7140 movement you can observe through a sapphire caseback, a rarity for the brand. It’s easily the brand’s dressiest watch and stands apart from other Rolex collections not only for its exhibition caseback, but also its seconds subdial, its leather strap, and for being the only watch that doesn’t use the brand’s signature Oyster case.

First launched in 2023 in yellow and white gold with a clean black or white dial, the 1908 didn’t make much of a splash initially. But in 2024, Rolex launched a platinum version with an ice-blue guilloche dial. As the only guilloche dial in the brand’s lineup (another feature to further set the 1908 apart), the platinum version has quickly become a fan-favorite .

It should be mentioned: the 1908’s release in 2023 was not without loss. The 1908 effectively replaced and formally marked the end of the longstanding Cellini collection, which Rolex largely and unceremoniously started discontinuing in 2022.

Rolex Pricing and Availability

Rolex watches range from roughly $5,000 for a basic ladies’ Oyster Perpetual to hundreds of thousands of dollars for an “iced-out” Daytona with diamonds. This is one of the wonderful things about Rolex: Though it is one of the most well-known luxury brands in the world, the price of entry isn’t prohibitive in the same way that a watch from, say, Patek Philippe is.

Unfortunately, pricing can be a bit of a moot point for much of Rolex’s catalog, since many of the watches aren’t readily available at retail . We’re not just talking about Subs and Daytonas, either. Watches that were recently plentiful, such as the Oyster Perpetual, are even scarce now. For example, a new 36mm Oyster Perpetual in the Tiffany-like blue color will currently cost you in the ballpark of $30,000 on the secondhand market. And this is for a watch that should retail for $6,100 !

The bottom line for serious buyers: Do not expect to pay below retail for any current-catalog Rolex model, full stop. Expect to pay more. In some cases, way more .

Pricing on vintage models is much more forgiving. Because so much focus is placed on sports models such as Subs, Daytonas, GMTs, etc., if you’re willing to look smaller or older, you can get yourself a fantastic watch for under $5,000 . There are a few important points to be made here, however.

Do not expect to pay below retail for any current-catalog Rolex model, full stop

One is that Rolex has restricted the sale of parts to independent watchmakers, meaning that it’s only becoming harder to source correct parts and service vintage Rolex watches. It is expensive to do so.

Secondly, there are countless “frankenwatches” — watches made of parts from different models — and outright fakes out there. That’s why we recommend buying vintage watches from reputable dealers, especially those that belong to Rolex’s Certified Pre-Owned program, since their watches are guaranteed authentic by The Crown itself.

Lastly, here’s some good news: Most Rolexes are not rare. The brand makes over one million watches per year and accounts for nearly a third of the entire Swiss watch market . If money is no object, you can find the watch you’re looking for on the secondary market. You’re just gonna have to pay for it. While it’s been this way for years, there’s hope that Rolex models will soon become increasingly accessible with Rolex’s 2023 announcement that it’s expanding production . If and when that happens, the secondary market should cool down considerably.

Related Topics

Yacht-Master

Değerli bir profesyonel saat

Teknik ve zarif saat Yacht-Master, bilekteki güvenilir denizci ekipmanıdır.

Kademeli çift yönlü çerçevesi zaman aralıklarının hassas bir biçimde ölçümünü ve görüntülenmesini sağlar. Bu profesyonel saat, her koşulda okunurluğu ve kullanıcının konforunu artıran yeniliklerden yararlanır.

Kademeli çift yönlü çerçeve Bilekte dakiklik ve okunurluk

60 dakika kademeli çift yönlü döndürülebilir çerçeve, Yacht-Master’ın kilit özelliğidir. Tamamen değerli metalden (18 karat Everose altın veya platin 950) yapılır veya ileri teknoloji ürünü seramikten siyah Cerachrom disk ile donatılır: Saatin kimliğinin vazgeçilmez bir parçasıdır.

Mat yüzeyde açıkça öne çıkan cilalı imleri ve rakamlarıyla çerçeve; zaman aralıklarının, örneğin iki şamandıra arasındaki seyir süresinin optimum bir biçimde okunurluğunu garantiler. Ayrıca ilk 15 dakikanın ayrıntılı kademeleri, seyir süresini okurken ekstra hassasiyet sağlar.

Çift yönlü döndürülebilir mekanizma, en yakın yarım dakikaya dek hassas ve akıcı bir ayarlama için 120 çentikli bir bilyeli rulmana sahiptir. Son olarak çerçeve, her türlü koşulda kolayca ayarlanabilmesi için tırtıklı kenara sahiptir.

Altın, Rolesor ve Rolesium Özel alaşımlar ve eşsiz kombinasyonlar

Rolex altını Yacht-Master’ın kimliğinin ayrılmaz bir parçasıdır: 18 karat sarı, beyaz veya Everose altın ‰750 oranında saf altından ve gümüş, bakır ve paladyum karışımından oluşur. Tümü kendi dökümhanemizde üretilir ve dökülür.

18 karat Everose altın Yacht-Master iki çapta mevcuttur: 37 mm ve 40 mm. İki versiyon da pırlanta döşeli kadranla mevcuttur. 18 karat sarı altın ve 18 karat beyaz altın versiyonlar Yacht-Master 42 modeline özgüdür.

Everose Rolesor versiyonu Yacht-Master 37 ve Yacht-Master 40 modellerinde Rolex altını paslanmaya karşı son derece dirençli bir alaşım olan Oystersteel çelikle de kombinlenir. Çerçeve, merkezî bağlantılar Everose altından, orta kasa, kurma kolu, kasa kapağı ve dış bağlantılar ise Oystersteel çeliktendir.

Yacht-Master 37 ve Yacht-Master 40 aynı zamanda platin ve çeliğin uyumlu birlikteliği olan Rolesium versiyonda da mevcuttur. Platin çerçeve, Oystersteel çelikten orta kasa, kurma kolu, kasa kapağı ve bilezikle bir araya gelir.

RLX titanyum Sağlamlık ve hafiflik

RLX titanyum, Yacht-Master serisinde ilk defa 2023 yılında görülmektedir. Rolex tarafından seçilen bu 5. sınıf titanyum alaşımı özel bir hafifliğe sahip bir metaldir ve mekanik dayanıklılığıyla olduğu kadar paslanmaya karşı direnciyle de tanınır. Yact-Master 42’nin kasa ve bileziğinde kullanılması, saatin ağırlığını çelikten yapılmış benzer bir saate kıyasla yaklaşık üçte bir oranında azaltmıştır. RLX titanyum üzerinde çalışmanın zor olması, özel üretim yöntemlerinin kullanılmasını gerektirmiştir.

Cilalı, üstün ışıltıya sahip ve teknik saten yüzeylerin bir aradalığı, işleme ve finiş tekniklerindeki mükemmelliğimizi yansıtır. Farklı yüzeylerin birlikteliği narin bir doku ve ışık zenginliği oluşturur, kurma kolu korumasının cilalı parlak yüzeyinin ve kulağın üst kenarının göz alıcı ışıltısının, kasa ve bileziğin geri kalanında görülen belirgin grenli saten yüzeyin matlığı karşısında öne çıkmasını sağlar.

Bilezikler, tokalar ve uzatma sistemleri Bilekte rahatlık ve güvenlik

Chromalight gösterge ve cyclops lens optimum okunurluk için.

Chromalight gösterge ve Cyclops lensle donatılan Yacht-Master okunurluğu artırmak için iki eşsiz Rolex özelliğine sahiptir.

Chromalight gösterge, aydınlıkta veya karanlıkta yani her koşulda optimum okunurluk sağlar. Parlak malzeme uzmanlar tarafından ibrelere ve Rolex’in profesyonel saatlerine özgü olan üçgen, daire ve dörgen gibi basit şekillere sahip büyük saat imlerine uygulanır. Bu malzeme gün ışığında göz alıcı beyaz renkte iken karanlıkta yoğun mavi bir ışıltı yayar.

2008’de tanıtılan Chromalight gösterge, 2021 yılında mavi ışımanın yoğunluğunu daha uzun süre korumak üzere optimize edilmiştir. Bu parlak malzemenin performansı net bir biçimde saatçilik normlarının gerektirdiği standartların ötesindedir.

Büyütücü etkisiyle tarihin okunurluğunun artırılması için tasarlanan Cyclops lens, markanın hem estetik hem de teknik açıdan imzası niteliğindedir. Bu Rolex icadı 1950’li yılların başında patentlenmiştir. Bugün ise tıpkı saatin kristali gibi çizilmeye karşı dayanıklı safirden üretiliyor ve üzerine yansıma önleyici çift işlem uygulanıyor.

Kalibre 3235 ve 2236 Üstün performans

Put-in tours

Original tour agency in moscow and st petersburg..

Onboard a Soviet van!

Welcome to Russia!

We are Sergey and Simon, a Russian and a Frenchman, both  passionate about Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and classic cars. Together, we have created Put-in tours. Our goal is to help you experience Russian culture off the beaten path. Join us onboard our classic Soviet van and let’s get rolling!

In Moscow we offer you a city tour to discover most of the city in an original way as well as a night tour to admire the lights. Our pubcrawl is ideal to explore Moscow’s night-life and have fun. If you are craving to discover Russian culture, come impress your senses during our monastery diner or join our 100% Russian Banya Excursion . The latest will also bring you to Sergiyev Posad and it’s famous monastery!

For the most extreme travellers, our shooting tour will deliver your daily dose of adrenaline whereas our tank excursion will let you ride a real tank and shoot a bazooka.

We also offer help to receive your visa , safe and multilingual airport transfers , as well as organisation services for team-building events or bachelor parties .

All our excursions (but the monastery diner) happen onboard our Soviet military vans and can be covered by our  professionnal photographer or videographer.

In Saint Petersburg

We welcome you in Saint Petersburg onboard our Soviet van to discover the imperial city with our city tour and night tour .

Continue your discovery in style! The adrenaline lovers will like our shooting tour  which brings 3 Russian weapons to the tip of your trigger finger.

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At Put-in tours, we put you in our classic Soviet vans to go explore Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Russian culture off the beaten path. Discover our Moscow city guided tour, visit Moscow by night, join our banya & Sergiyev Posad excursion, visit and dine in one of Moscow's oldest monastery or even Luzhniki stadium, before you party on our famous pubcrawl! Original and atypical tours : Shoot AK47 and a bazooka after riding on a tank with our tank & bazooka excursion ! Extreme tours: Fly a fighter jet in Moscow onboard a L-29 or L-39 aircraft!

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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