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The Rolex Yacht-Master II Reference 116681
2007 was the year Rolex proved that it could only be taunted so much by detractors for the lack of complications in its lineup before it would come out swinging. It has long been the anti-Rolex league’s favorite go-to criticism, holding up the Swiss giant’s catalog of ruggedly simple, almost minimalist, three-hand watches and sneeringly comparing them to the overtly functional pieces from the likes of Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. Did Rolex lack the imagination to compete with the sky charts and moonphases of other watchmakers? Or was it the technical prowess it was missing? Rolex took it with its usual granite stoicism for decades, with the modesty of the Day-Date’s dual calendar or the Daytona’s chronograph seemingly as extravagant as it was prepared to go. Then, the iconic Swiss watch manufacturer released the Rolex Yacht-Master II series.
Vastly different from the original and less complex Yacht-Master, the Rolex Yacht Master II is a vibrant behemoth that contains one of the most technically impressive complications ever made. As a product, it could also serve as the dictionary definition of the word “niche.” Powered by a new caliber that required more than 35,000 hours to devise, the result was a watch that’s sole purpose was to help yacht skippers coordinate the starting procedure of a sailing regatta. The first models of the collection were available in either yellow or white gold. Then In 2011, the Yacht master II ref. 116681 appeared, which is a striking Rolesor variant that blends tough 904L stainless steel with precious 18k Everose gold. If you’re into big watches that make a bold statement on the wrist, then keep reading for everything you need to know about the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681
Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681
Yacht-Master II Reference 116681 Key Features:
- Reference Number: 116681
- Year of Introduction: 2011
- Case Size: 44mm
- Materials: Everose Rolesor (wo-tone stainless steel and Everose gold)
- Functions: Time w/ running seconds, regatta chronograph featuring a programmable countdown timer with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization
- Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers
- Hands: Straight or Mercedes
- Luminous Material: Chromalight
- Bezel: Ring Command Bezel; blue Cerachrom insert w/ 10-minute scale
- Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)
- Movement: Rolex Cal. 4161 (automatic w/ 72-hour power reserve)
- Water Resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
- Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet (two-tone stainless steel and Everose gold)
- Clasp: Oysterlock with 5mm Easylink extension
- Approx. Price (USD): $25,350 (Retail); $30,000 – $35,000 (Pre-Owned)
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Yacht-Master II
Everose Rolesor Yacht Master II Design
While the styles of the Yacht-Master II watches have split opinions and are a world away from the handsome elegance that has been the Rolex hallmark for over 100 years, this technical yet luxurious sports watch has won plenty of fans. Its concept and sheer audacity have also silenced many of the brand’s critics and Rolex has proved that, should it decide to mix it up in the world of complications, it can compete with the best of them.
As mentioned, the first two Rolex Yacht Master II models that debuted in 2007 were in yellow gold (ref. 116688) and white gold (ref. 116689, which was discontinued in 2022). Five years later, Rolex unveiled the Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 as the two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel variant. The combination of the two metals, the bright blue bezel (crafted from Rolex’s ceramic alloy, Cerachrom), and the flashy dial is certainly not the subtlest of Rolex watches, but somehow, the Yacht-Master II 116681 just works.
The Everose gold elements – on the bezel numerals, crown, pushers, snailing around the seconds sub-dial, and center links of the sporty Oyster bracelet – soften some of the brashness of the all-steel or yellow gold versions. As a variant, it’s a definite eye-catcher. It has retained its rather graceful proportions, especially for such a large piece and one that crams in so much functionality. The 44mm case (the biggest case size in the Rolex fleet that’s only shared by the Deepsea) affords a large surface area for the dial designers to play with. And it’s just as well. There is a lot of information displayed on the watch’s face, but the logical placement of each element gives it legible readability.
At the top is a horseshoe-shaped track numbered to ten. The starting gun in a regatta is preceded by a warning signal, often either five or ten minutes beforehand. It informs participants the countdown has begun, and the Yacht-Master II’s curved gauge is there to precisely time the flying start – the long dagger-like hand marks the countdown seconds while the small red arrow-tipped hand displays the countdown minutes.
However, the clever part comes should our yacht skipper need to reset the countdown for any reason. The watch is the first in the world to feature a mechanical memory with both flyback and fly-forward functionality, and it allows the regatta timer to reset to synchronize with the official race timer – either forwards or backwards to the nearest minute. Therefore, should the countdown have been triggered too early or too late, it’s a simple step to bring it back in line.
Rolex Yacht-Master II Dial Update
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Yacht-Master II, Rolex rolled out redesigned dials across the entire collection – including, of course, the Yacht-Master II ref. 116681. So what changed?
First, Rolex replaced the original straight hands with a Mercedes handset, which is much more common across the brand’s sports watches. Also, the hands of the Yacht Master II 116681 went from a dark blue to Everose gold – a nice touch to match the rest of the pink-toned details of the watch. Another dial update that occurred to bring the face of the Yacht-Master II more in line with Rolex’s other sports watches concerns the shape of the hour markers.
Earlier models featured square lume-filled indexes for each hour. However, after the 2017 dial redesign, Yacht-Master II watches now included an inverted triangle and a rectangle at 12 and 6, respectively. Naturally, since the Yacht-Master II 116681 is an Everose Rolesor edition, the hour markers feature Everose gold surrounds.
Yacht-Master II Ring Command Bezel and In-House Caliber
The key to the impressive functionality of the Rolex Yachtmaster II lies in the model’s most conspicuous component: the bright blue Cerachrom bezel with its oversized, pink golden numerals. More than simply being the watch’s border, the bezel is central to its overall operation.
Directly linked to the internal movement, the Ring Command Bezel, to give it its proper title, unlocks the programmable actions of the watch by rotating it counter-clockwise through 90 degrees. With the bezel activated, the crown can be used to set the countdown duration and the two pushers at the two and four o’clock positions start and stop the chronograph and work the flyback function. It sounds like a convoluted affair, but in reality, there is a beautifully designed intuitiveness to getting the most out of the Yacht-Master II.
The Rolex engineers have pared down the process as much as possible, while still retaining all the necessary performance. Underneath everything lies the movement. The original references were released with the Cal. 4160, a heavily reworked version of the Daytona’s Cal. 4130, complete with the vertical clutch that eliminates backlash on the chronograph seconds hand.
By 2013, Rolex had perfected the purpose-built Cal. 4161 specifically for the Yacht-Master II. At the time, it was the company’s most component-heavy movement to date, and the Caliber 4161 is constructed from 360 separate parts. As well as the improved accuracy and shock resistance provided by including Rolex’s proprietary Parachrom hairspring, the 31-jewel, high-beat movement also has a power reserve of 72 hours.
Over A Decade of the Rolex 116681 Yacht-Master II
The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 has been a part of the brand’s catalog for over a decade now. Despite the movement update in 2013 to the Caliber 4131 and the dial update that occurred in 2017, Rolex has retained the same reference number since this two-tone variant’s release in 2011. And that’s quite curious given that Rolex has allocated new reference numbers to other watch models that have undergone much more subtle updates. Rolex truly works in mysterious ways!
It’s also interesting to note that in 2022, Rolex discontinued the white gold and platinum Yacht-Master II ref. 116689, which brings the Yacht-Master II lineup down from four references to only three. Perhaps the end of the Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 is near? Though we don’t wish for that to happen, it’s not uncommon for the modern-day Rolex to replace models after about a decade (or less) of production.
While the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681 has an undeniable heft and is ultra-luxurious, it can easily be worn all day. Its watertight Oyster case ensures it’s more than a match for the rigors of life on the ocean and its robust self-winding movement is top-notch. As a skipper’s watch, this Rolex Yacht-Master II is in a class all its own. But even if you don’t sail competitively and only ever use the watch’s innovative timing function in the kitchen (if at all,) the steel and Everose gold Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 is a head-turning luxury sports watch that’s unlike any other in Rolex’s lineup.
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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Precious on land and at sea. Available in three diameters - 37, 40 and 42 mm - and in various precious versions - 18 ct yellow, white and Everose gold - as well as in Everose Rolesor and Rolesium versions, the Yacht-Master is unique in the world of Rolex professional watches.
Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116681 Yacht-Master II 44mm Rose Gold White Dial Blue Ceramic Bezel Complete Set 2016. $ 19,900. Free shipping. US. Promoted. Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116688 Steel 18K Yellow Gold White Dial 44 mm. $ 49,399.
NEW 2023 Yacht-Master II 116681 18KT Rose Gold & Stainless Steel. Price on request + $49 for shipping. US. ... 116681 Yacht-Master II 44mm Rose Gold White Dial Blue Ceramic Bezel Complete Set 2016 $ 19,900. Free shipping. US. ... PAPERS Men's Rolex Yacht-Master II 44mm Two-Tone Rose Gold Steel 116681 BOX $ 18,993 + $499 for shipping. US.
In fact, my Omega Planet Ocean is only 42mm x 15.7mm, and feels much bulkier and heavier than the Yacht-Master II. The case is alternating with polished and satin-finished and features a nautical blue ceramic bezel. The pushers are, as is Rolex's MO, a perfect length. Even though I'm left handed, and therefore wear my watch on my right ...
Explore the Yacht-Master watch in Everose Rolesor, a combination of Oystersteel and Everose gold , on the Official Rolex Website.
Rolex Yacht-Master on Chrono24.com. New offers daily. In stock now. Save favorite watches & buy your dream watch. ... 126622 Yachtmaster with Blue Dial $ 16,375 + $50 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master 40. ... The collection's top model is the yellow gold Yacht-Master II with a regatta chronograph. This countdown function is provided by the ...
Yacht-Master Key Features: - Case Size: 29mm, 35mm, 37mm, 40mm, 42mm - Material Options: Rolesium, Yellow Rolesor, Everose Rolesor, 18k Yellow Gold, 18k Everose Gold, 18k White Gold - Functions: Time with running seconds, date display. - Bezel: 60-minute timing (bi-directional) - Water Resistance: 100 meteres / 330 feet. - Strap/Bracelet: Oyster bracelet, Oysterflex bracelet
Five years later, Rolex unveiled the Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 as the two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel variant. The combination of the two metals, the bright blue bezel (crafted from Rolex's ceramic alloy, Cerachrom), and the flashy dial is certainly not the subtlest of Rolex watches, but somehow, the Yacht-Master II 116681 just works.
Rolex Yacht-Master II. Stainless Steel Yellow Gold White Dial 116681. £ 16,744. Free shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116681 Yacht-Master II 44mm Rose Gold White Dial Blue Ceramic Bezel Complete Set 2016. £ 15,718. + £118 for shipping.
Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116681 Yacht-Master II 44mm Rose Gold White Dial Blue Ceramic Bezel Complete Set 2016. £ 15,718. + £118 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. Bi-Metal 44mm White Dial Ref: 116681 - Full Set - 2014. £ 15,300. + £100 for shipping.
The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a sport watch ... (Yellow Gold) and 116689 (White Gold). One year later, in 2011, Rolex introduced the model 116681 which was made from steel and everose gold. At Baselworld 2013, the watch was available for the first time in 904L steel, the model 116680, fitted with a Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic. ...
Rolex Yacht-Master watches cost around $15,000 on average, though prices range from around $5,000 to $39,000 depending on the exact model. The most popular Rolex Yacht-Master is the 126622, which has an estimated market value of $13,357. Use our price guide to see the retail and market price, model specifications, and historical trends for 29 ...
Discover elegance and precision with the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116688, a pre-owned masterpiece crafted in 18K yellow gold. Featuring a 44mm case, white dial with index markers, and a blue bezel, this timepiece is powered by the Rolex Calibre 4161 Automatic movement. With a 72-hour power reserve and water resistance up to 100 meters, it's both a symbol of luxury and performance. Includes Rolex ...
Elevate your style with a pre-owned Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681. Crafted in stainless steel and 18K rose gold, this watch features a white dial, blue Cerachom bezel, and Rolex's Calibre 4161 movement. Discover luxury and precision in one timepiece.
NEW 2023 Yacht-Master II 116681 18KT Rose Gold & Stainless Steel. Price on request + $49 for shipping. US. ... 2021 PAPERS Rolex Yacht-Master II NEW HANDS 44mm Blue Watch 116680 BOX $ 18,493 + $499 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. Yellow Gold Mercedes Hands 116688 New $ 45,500.
Rolex Yacht-Master II. UNPOLISHED 2016 CARD Rolex Yacht-Master II 18K Yellow Gold 44mm Watch 116688 BOX. £ 28,707. + £393 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. Yellow Gold Mercedes Hands 116688 New. £ 35,793. + £197 for shipping.
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2021 NEW MERCEDES HANDS Rolex Yacht-Master 2 Yellow Gold 44mm 116688 Watch Box $ 39,992 + $89 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116688 $ 39,481 + $201 for shipping. JP. ... 116688 Yellow Gold 44mm Blue Ceramic Bezel White Dial "In Stock" $ 48,750 + $150 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116688 $ 46,821 + $144 for shipping. DE.
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Rolex Yacht-Master II White gold on Chrono24.com. New offers daily. In stock now. Save favorite watches & buy your dream watch. Skip. ... PAPERS Rolex Yacht-Master II 18K Gold Blue Hands 44mm YMII Watch 116689 BOX $ 27,993 + $499 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master II. 116689 $ 30,148 + $111 for shipping. IT.
Ladies Rolex Yacht-Master 18K Yellow Gold 35mm White Date Watch 68628 BOX $ 13,493 + $499 for shipping. US. ... MINT Condition 2001 Lady Yacht-Master Yellow Gold Blue Dial Oyster Bracelet 168628 $ 17,500 + $99 for shipping. US. Rolex Yacht-Master. Midsize Blue Dial 18K Yellow Gold Ref. 68628