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Rolex Yacht-Master II
Ref. 116688
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Stepping up in Rolex's range
The Yacht-Master II was not designed to tell the time in any conventional sense — it was built to count down to the start of a race. Introduced as a purpose-specific regatta instrument, it departed entirely from the original Yacht-Master's role as a nautical dress watch, instead centring on the programmable countdown sequences that govern the timed sequence before a yacht crosses the start line. The blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel is the mechanism, not decoration: turning it engages the Ring Command system, which couples directly into the movement to set the countdown memory — a physical and mechanical linkage rather than a pushpiece function. The Calibre 4161 is among the most intricate movements Rolex has ever produced, with a column-wheel and vertical clutch at the heart of its chronograph architecture and a 72-hour reserve that comfortably covers a race weekend without winding. At 249.2 grams in solid yellow gold, the watch makes its presence known immediately; the Oyster case's ergonomic curve distributes that weight well on larger wrists, but this is not a watch that sits quietly. The Easylink system allows the bracelet to expand by 5mm without tools, which is more useful here than on most watches given how dramatically ambient temperature and exertion affect comfort over a long day on the water.
- Reference
- 116688
- Brand
- Rolex
- Collection
- Yacht-Master II
- Case size
- 44mm
- Case thickness
- 14mm
- Lug width
- 21mm
- Case material
- Gold
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- White
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bezel
- Bidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 4161
- Functions
- Chronograph, Date, Small seconds
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Gold
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 50.1mm
- Power reserve
- 72 hours
- Gem set
- Yes
Learn more about Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.
Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.
The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.
The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.
Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.
- 1905
- Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
- 1908
- The Rolex name is registered.
- 1926
- The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
- 1931
- The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
- 1953
- The Submariner and Explorer launch.
- 1963
- The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.
Also in 4 collections
This watch appears in Automatic Watches (1,742), Chronograph Watches (1,380), Watches 44mm and Over (1,006) and Solid Gold Watches (162).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- 50.1mm lug-to-lug keeps the 44mm case wearable
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- 72-hour reserve survives a weekend off the wrist
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Worth knowing
- 44mm sits at the larger end
- 14mm thick, so it will not disappear under a cuff
Rolex Yacht-Master II alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 116688 | GC39-TNPS-LSEN-RSDP-RE | 81015-32-001-32A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,550 | £41,040 | £42,500 |
| Case size | 44mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Rubber strap | Ceramic bracelet |
| Power reserve | 72 hours | 50 hours | 54 hours |
| This watch |
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Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
How long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 72 hours fully wound — enough to sit off the wrist over a weekend and still be running.
What size strap does it take?
21mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 50.1mm, which suits wrists from roughly 17.5cm (7 inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
All 3 UK retailers we track list it at £40,550.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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