Hands-On Expert Review: Rolex Yacht-Master II
Rolex is perhaps the most well-known watchmaker of all time and is sported by everyone from the typical watch wearer to celebrities around the world. While not everyone loves every watch that Rolex produces, one watch, in particular, has gotten its share of love—and hate—from luxury watch collectors.
That watch would be the Yacht-Master II.
Skip to the watch features and capabilities that interest you most by clicking below, or watch our review of the Yacht-Master II by in-house expert Tim Mosso.
Skip ahead to learn more about
> Overview of this Tool Watch
> Watch Features & Distinctions
> On the Wrist: Casual Wear
> Sailing Watch Capabilities
> New and Pre-Owned Costs
Overview of the Yacht-Master II
While the original Yacht-Master was launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master II is a much younger watch collection. Making its debut in 2007, this watch featured an elegant 18-karat white gold and platinum insert, distancing itself from its more utilitarian predecessor, and boasts a 44mm case that houses its numerous functions.
One of the notable differences between the two watch collections includes a more graceful design that’s reminiscent of a Day-Date or Datejust rather than the bulkier and bolder Submariner. Another big difference, at least after 2012, is that Rolex replaced their original in-house caliber 4160 with the 4161. Both are based on the caliber 4130, which was first used in the Cosmograph Daytona in 2000. You can read more about the caliber 4130 in our watch features section.
The Yacht-Master II Collection Timeline
Browse the lifespan of this collection, categorized by release date and features.
2007: Rolex debuted the Yacht-Master II to watch collectors.
2011: Two-tone watch model ref. 116681 is released with a stainless steel case, caliber 4160, a winding crown, and pushers as well as Rolex’s signature Everose and stainless steel bracelet.
2013: The ref. 116680 was released in 904L stainless steel and featured Rolex’s newest caliber 4161 as well as a blue ceramic cerachrom bezel insert.
2017: On the 10th anniversary of the watch collection, Rolex made slight changes to the ref. 116680, swapping out the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock hour markers for rectangular ones and a Mercedes type stick handset, creating a more professional image for the collection.
Currently there are four versions of this watch in various choices of materials, including luxurious gold and platinum. Now let’s talk about the features that make the Yacht-Master II a popular choice for collectors.
Watch Features
A true example of a sophisticated and refined tool watch, the Yacht-Master II features a programmable countdown designed for competitive sailing. And, the fly-back and fly-forward features make it unique and valuable on the go. It’s also ideal for professionals that utilize billable time with clients due to how simple the functionality is and how easy it is to read the dial and hands. There are 4 key features shared by all Yacht-Master II watches, regardless of the model or variation:
1. Automatic
2. 3-day Power Reserve
3. Overcoil Hairspring
4. Up to 100m Water Resistant
The Caliber 4161
Rolex spent 35,000 hours developing the Caliber 4161, which contains 360 individual components. It also includes Rolex’s their blue parachrom hairspring (constructed from a special alloy containing niobium and zirconium) that offers incredible durability against shocks and magnetic forces.
Every watch in the Yacht-Master II collection has been fully cased up and passes Rolex’s stringent internal testing and requirements, ensuring excellence in quality. An example of that exceptional craftsmanship is this late 2000s release.
Yacht-Master II ref. 116689
This ref. 116689 was manufactured in 2008-2009 and comes in box. Like other Yacht-Master II watches, its complications include a chronograph and regatta timer, making it an excellent tool watch with the refined look of a casual luxury watch.
Style: Casual, Sport
Gender: Mens
Dial Color: White
Case & Bracelet Material: White Gold
Buckle Type: Folding Buckle
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On the Wrist: Casual Day-to-Day Wear
Although the Yacht-Master is inherently designed as a tool watch, many collectors find that this more distinguished version of the watch is suitable for casual wear as well as sailing. The 44mm case is larger than other Rolex watches, and the watch as a whole seems even bigger with the lugs and flanges added into it. But, the more graceful design overall makes it a good choice even for wrists as small as 15cm. Additionally, the oyster bracelet doesn’t trap heat or moisture due to the spacing. Wearers can add a link easily, and to top off the polished look, the fully finished clasp is fully finished.
Sailing Watch Capabilities
The Yacht-Master II watch features hours, minutes, small seconds, a chronograph, and a 10-minute regatta countdown function. While a lot of time and expertise must have been applied to the design of this watch so that it would look more refined, it’s still a tool watch. These features, and the flyback wheel we mentioned above, all make the Yacht-Master II an invaluable watch for sailing, regardless if it is used for competitive racing or for a leisurely exploration of a favored cove.
How Much Does the Yacht-Master II Cost?
When this timepiece made its debut in 2007, it was with a higher price tag due to the precious metals used in its construction and advanced engineering under the dial. Two-tone and stainless steel options made it more affordable to most luxury watch collectors though, with a price point of about $18,000 USD brand new.
Today on the pre-owned market, collectors can expect to pay more due to the appreciation in value of this particular Rolex model. As of this publication, our most affordable Yacht-Master II is a 2008-2009 ref. 116689 with a white gold case and platinum bezel and a price tag of $38,950 USD. Our most expensive Yacht-Master II is tied between the ref. 116689-0001 and ref. 116689-0002. Both feature a white gold case and bracelet, white dial, Chronograph, and Regatta Timer. Their band lengths are 7’7 and 7”, respectively, and they have a price tag of $42,950 USD.
The Yacht-Master II is one of the Swiss watchmaker’s more expensive offerings and falls well outside of the average price of a Rolex, which is about $7,000 to $12,000 USD. It isn’t ideal as a budget or beginner luxury watch, but it is certainly a useful tool watch that impresses regardless if you are on the water or mingling with land-lovers onshore. Browse our Yacht-Master II selection, or contact us so that we can help you add this watch to your collection.
This article was edited and updated on May 10, 2022.