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Rolex Yacht-Master II - 18K Yellow Gold Blue Bezel

Details

A Statement Of Complication

The Yacht-Master II stands as one of the most complex and visually assertive watches in the modern Rolex catalog. Developed for the specific needs of competitive sailing, its signature feature is the regatta countdown timer, programmable from one to ten minutes and operated by the command bezel. This is a purpose-built instrument that showcases Rolex's ability to create highly functional and mechanically sophisticated timepieces.

A Technical Powerhouse

This reference represents a departure from the traditional Rolex formula. The Ring Command bezel is not just for show; it is an integral part of the movement's functionality, allowing the wearer to program the regatta countdown. The contrast between the crisp white dial and the vibrant blue ceramic bezel has become a signature look for the model. In solid gold, the watch carries a level of prestige that few other professional models can match, sitting at the top of the brand's hierarchy in both size and complexity.

Condition And Reality

At 247 grams, the gold presence is immediate. This example shows honest signs of use since its production in 2010. There is visible fading on the numerals 3, 6, and 7 on the blue ceramic bezel. The white dial is in mint condition, and the case and Oyster bracelet are in good overall shape with nine links present. Mechanically, the watch is running strong after passing our test bench.

Why It Works

This is for the person who wants the maximum expression of a gold Rolex. It works because it combines legitimate mechanical complexity with a level of wrist presence that very few other watches can provide. The Yacht-Master II has carved out a unique space as the heavy hitter of the professional line, serving as a distinct alternative to more common models. It is bold, technically superior, and carries the kind of weight that reminds you it is there every time you move your arm.

 

Key Specs

Reference:116688

Model: Yacht-Master II

Year: 2010

Movement: Automatic

Case Size: 44mm

Bezel: Blue Rotating Command Bezel

Bracelet: 18K Yellow Gold Oyster

Dial: White

Metal: 18K Yellow Gold

SKU: 664

History

The Yacht-Master was introduced in 1992 as Rolex's entry into the luxury sport watch segment, positioned deliberately above the Submariner in both material specification and price. Where the Submariner was conceived as a professional diving instrument, the Yacht-Master was designed for the leisure yachting market — a client who valued the appearance and heritage of a Rolex sport watch but required it in precious metal with a more refined aesthetic. The raised, polished bezel with engraved numerals became the defining visual element, distinguishing the reference from the utilitarian insert bezels used across the rest of the professional lineup.

The Yacht-Master II, introduced in 2007, represented a significant departure from the original concept. Equipped with a programmable countdown timer designed for regatta starts, the reference 116688 housed the calibre 4161 — one of the most complex movements Rolex has ever produced. The case grew to 44mm to accommodate the additional complication, and the blue ceramic bezel insert became the model's signature. The combination of a genuinely functional regatta complication with Rolex's characteristic over-engineering created a watch that was simultaneously a serious sailing instrument and a statement piece in solid gold.

For collectors, the Yacht-Master family represents Rolex's most direct expression of luxury within its sport watch catalog. The full gold references command attention for their material presence, while the regatta complication of the Yacht-Master II appeals to those who value mechanical ambition in their Rolex collection. The model occupies a position that is distinct from the more utilitarian professional references, offering the Rolex sport watch experience with an emphasis on precious metal finishing and visual impact that the tool watches were never designed to provide.