rolex yacht master 2 or blanc

THE COLLECTIVE

European Watch Company – Est. 1993

Almost Obscure: The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689

Published by mike razak.

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Rolex does not simply release watches on a whim. New models are rare, and updates to existing models are often minor, sometimes not even warranting an announcement. Regardless of timing or subtlety, everything The Crown does is met with scrutiny and drama. So, too, it was when the Yacht-Master II was released in 2007. The watch was met with mixed reactions: With an obscure complication that no one really asked for and the largest case in Rolex’s catalog, some thought it sullied the robust elegance of its forebear. Others rightfully praised its technical innovations. Fast forward more than a decade and the model seems to have won out: the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 seen here (and its sister references) remains in the Rolex catalog and is a favorite among those seeking a Rolex with a bit more panache and functionality than the standard Submariner.

When the original Yacht-Master was introduced in 1992, it was Rolex’s first entirely new model since the Sea-Dweller in 1967. The watch was an immediate hit with the seagoing elite, and has remained incredibly popular, with a variety of colorways and sizes released to satisfy demand.  Then, in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was released. Rolex spent over 35,000 hours designing the movement for the watch, which was designed to aid skippers in tracking the starting sequence of a regatta, including a novel integrated bezel and programmable countdown timer with memory function. Two models were part of the original release: the 116688 in solid 18kt gold with a blue ceramic bezel and the 116689 in 18kt white gold with an embossed platinum bezel.  

Design Details

At 44mm wide and 14mm thick, the Yacht-Master II features the largest production case Rolex offers. Despite its size, the watch is good to just 100m of water resistance—certainly sufficient for most aquatic adventures, but a subtle hint that Yacht-Master II is aimed at those who plan to remain aboard. The solid 18k white gold case and bracelet of the 116689 remain classic Rolex: polished throughout, with gentle curves, it gives way to the dual-finished Oyster bracelet, which features an Oysterlock clasp and Easylink 5mm extension for fine-tuned sizing. The patented Triplock crown and its guards maintain the aesthetic, with ringed chronograph pushers at its flanks. A white gold bezel—dubbed the Ring Command bezel for its added functionality—features a frosted platinum insert with embossed, polished numerals and model name. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal. 

Despite the watch’s functionality, Rolex has kept things extremely legible with a clean white dial. Square hour markers are applied and filled with the brand’s proprietary Chromalight lume. At 9 o’clock, the Crown logo is accompanied by the traditional Rolex dial text. At 6 o’clock, a running seconds subdial features a radial finished ring. The hands are all blued, with the hour and minute featuring lume; the minute hand has a cutout to allow for better timing legibility. In a large arc bounded by bright blue, the 10-minute regatta scale lines up perfectly with both the applied markers and the bezel. The countdown time is displayed by a bright red chronograph sweep hand and a lumed triangle minute hand.

To set the countdown timer, turn the Ring Command bezel 90 degrees counterclockwise, press the 4 o’clock pusher, and use the crown to set the desired interval (the triangle hand will snap back to 0 if pushed past 10). After rotating the bezel back, the watch’s pushers operate similarly to a normal chronograph. But Rolex has added two unique functions. When the timer is set, the initial countdown time is memorized: if the countdown is 7 minutes and needs to be restarted, stopping and resetting the timer will return it to 7 minutes. Equally impressive, the watch can be resynchronized to the official race countdown if necessary: pressing the reset pusher without stopping the timer will jump the timing hand to the nearest minute. 

Inner Workings

Powering the Rolex Yacht-Master II is the automatic Rolex 4161 caliber, based on the 4130 chronograph movement (seen in the Daytona). Comprising over 360 components, including 44 jewels, the movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a robust 72 hours of power (a number of the constituent parts are so small, they require specialized micromanufacturing mastered in-house by Rolex). The watch is further equipped with Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock system, together delivering exceptional antimagnetism and shock resistance. As with all modern Rolex movements, the 4161 is certified to their Superlative Chronometer standards, accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day. 

Instead of the traditional chronograph functions of its base movement, the 4161 has been retooled to allow for use as a countdown timer. In conjunction with a vertical clutch, a column wheel extends through the main plate, allowing for the programmable countdown. Additional reworking has added instantaneous re-synchronization functionality and countdown memory; and as discussed above, the bezel is coupled to the movement to allow its use as a locking mechanism for the timer (though considering the bezel part of the movement might be a stretch). All of these decidedly niche features make for one of the most complicated Rolex calibers ever made. 

Versus the Competition

Watches and regattas have been linked for quite some time, and indeed many brands sponsor teams, races, or entire series. Omega and TAG Heuer have both released limited edition America’s Cup watches featuring countdown mechanisms. Panerai makes the Luminor 1950 Regatta Chrono Flyback and Ulysse Nardin has its Marine Regatta model. Of course, sometimes only a Rolex will do, in which case one can opt for the timing function of the Daytona, the Ring Command bezel of the Sky-Dweller, or the nouveau riche appeal of the original Yacht-Master. 

Personality

While the original Yacht-Master appealed to the owners of superyachts by providing a higher-end alternative to the Submariner, the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 builds on that appeal with the added bona fides of regatta timing functionalities. In the white gold execution, it’s perhaps best suited to the sailing enthusiast with who enjoys the occasional regatta and may even partake in one from time to time, but also likes a splash of luxury on the wrist and isn’t afraid to let others know.  

Final Thoughts

Be it as it may an undeniable piece of luxury sailing kit, the Yacht-Master II does what only a few Rolexes do: provides both the exceptional quality the brand is known for and unique functionality. For that alone, the model is well worth a look.

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Overview of the Rolex Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master range encapsulates luxury and precision in a line of nautically inspired timepieces. Introduced in 1992, this Rolex watch borrows heavily from the Submariner series. The original Yacht-Master- the ref. 16628 with a 40mm Yellow Gold case, Cyclops lens over the date, triple lock crown, and Oyster bracelet- was modeled after the first ever Submariner- ref. 16610- which has a 40mm stainless steel case.

They both used the Caliber 3135 movement!

The tool watch gained traction with time, coming in various case, material, and bracelet options, as we shall see shortly. It’s no wonder it’s among Rolex’s most varied pieces in the Professional series.

Meanwhile, Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master II more than a decade later in 2007. It’s a watch tailored to the needs of professional sailors with its innovative regatta chronograph. 

Housed in a more robust 44mm Oyster case, it leveraged Rolex’s expertise in precision and functionality, offering a programmable countdown with mechanical memory for yacht racing. Distinguishing itself from its predecessor, it brought a new level of technical sophistication to the yachting world.

Design Characteristics

The Yacht-Master line portrays the typical design layout of Rolex sports watches, with an Oyster case (that’s water-resistant to 100m), a Twin-lock winding crown on the side of the case for setting the time and date and winding the movement manually, lume-filled Mercedes-style hands and hour markers, and a date function at three o’clock that’s amplified by a Cyclops magnifier lens on the crystal.

On the other hand, the Yacht-Master II takes on a more daring design, featuring a larger Oyster case (water-resistant to 100m) with a Triplock winding crown and chronograph pushers for operating the regatta chronograph, a busier dial with a programmable countdown feature (1 to 10 minutes), and a special Ring Command bezel that’s also present in Rolex’s Sky-Dweller collection .

Interestingly, the Yacht-Master II and Sky-Dweller are some of Rolex’s most complicated watches for now.

The Yacht-Master comes in various case options, namely 29mm (discontinued), 35mm (discontinued), 37mm (Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 268621), 40mm (Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 126622), and 42mm (Rolex Yacht-Master Oysterflex ref. 226659).

In terms of materials, Rolex has utilized several precious metals in the collection:

• Yellow Gold
• Stainless steel and Yellow Gold (Yellow Rolesor)
• Stainless steel with a Platinum bezel (Rolesium)
• Everose Gold (a patented proprietary Rose Gold alloy)
• Stainless steel and Everose Gold (Everose Rolesor)

In contrast, the Yacht-Master II is only available in a 44mm case size. It’s available in fewer material alternatives:

• Stainless steel with a blue ceramic Cerachrom bezel
• Stainless steel and Everose Gold with a blue ceramic Cerachrom bezel
• White Gold with a Platinum bezel (discontinued)
• Yellow gold with a blue Cerachrom bezel

Bezels 

The two watches have a bidirectional rotatable bezel that’s integral for tracking sailing time intervals. The difference comes in their designs.

The Yacht-Master has a bezel crafted from gold or platinum. This rotating bezel has raised numerals and 60-minute graduations. Plus, it operates independently from the watch’s inner mechanism.

The Yacht-Master offers a more noticeable Ring Command bezel with the ‘YACHT-MASTER II’ inscription and molded 1-10 numerals in varying colors depending on the materials used. The Yacht-Master II’s bezel is connected to the movement, and its wearers use it to operate the regatta chronograph function.

The watches’ dials are well-suited for their respective purposes. 

The Yacht-Master has a simpler dial design, with Mercedes-style hands and round/triangle/rectangle or gem-set hour markers. Rolex has used several luminous materials on these excellent luxury watches over the years:

• SuperLumiNova
• Chromalight

The Yacht-Master II has a more detailed and functional dial with slimmer hands decorated with Chromalight lume, a red arrow-tipped hand, a central chronograph hand, square-shaped hour markers, a countdown function with mechanical memory that gracefully curves from 8 to 4 o’clock, and a running seconds subdial at 6 o’clock.

The red arrow-tipped hand shows how much time is left in the countdown. Meanwhile, the central chronograph hand can fly back or fly forward to its starting position while in motion, and the countdown function allows skippers to sync it on the fly to match the official race countdown (it’s the first in the world, BTW).

Note: The Yacht-Master II had square hour markers and straight baton-shaped hands from 2007 to 2017. 

2017 welcomed several changes: an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock, a rectangular hour marker at six o’clock, and a Mercedes-style hour hand to offer more lume and enable easier differentiation from the minute hand.

Bracelets and Clasps

Rolex equips the Yacht-Master with Oyster and Oysterflex bracelets. The three-piece Oyster offers classic luxury and sturdy comfort and is finished with a high polish or brushed look. It also has a secure Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system that ensures the watch remains fastened around the wrist.

As for the Oysterflex bracelet , it’s a black strap crafted from a flexible Titanium and nickel alloy metal blade at its core and is clad in a high-density elastomer. It also boasts a tiered design that raises the timepiece away from the wrist and a Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system.

The YachtMaster II also features an Oyster bracelet, typically equipped with the Rolex Glidelock system, allowing fine adjustments and reflecting its more technical and sporty heritage.

Caliber Comparison

The Rolex Yacht-Master lineup features various movements, with the Yacht-Master 37mm housing a self-winding Caliber 2236 movement, the same movement used in Datejust 36 and Datejust 41 timepieces . It has 31 jewels, a 55-hour power reserve, and a 28,800vph frequency. 

Meanwhile, the 40mm and 42mm watches utilize the Caliber 3235, a well-respected automatic movement recognized for its reliability. This 31-jewel movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. 

In contrast, the Yacht-Master II is equipped with the self-winding Caliber 4161, a chronograph movement specifically developed for this model’s unique regatta countdown function. It has 48 jewels, a 72-hour power reserve, and a 28,800vph frequency.

Technical Details at a Glance

The following table highlights the specifications of both watches discussed above and more:

When comparing the Rolex Yacht-Master and the Yacht-Master II, consumers frequently have questions regarding their differences, pricing, availability, and rarity. The following subsections aim to address these common inquiries.

What Is The Only True Regatta Chronograph in Rolex’s Line-up?

The original Rolex Yacht-Master was essentially a luxury version of the Submariner. Although it had a regatta-inspired name, the original rendition did not possess any special complications or features that catered to the world of yacht racing. Rolex must have realized this oversight, because in 2010 they released an entirely new line of watches specifically intended for regattas: the Yacht-Master II.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

Unlike the first Yacht-Master that shared many components with Rolex’s Submariner line of watches, the Yacht-Master II was an entirely new design . At the heart of the watch beats a caliber 4161 movement, which gives the Yacht-Master II the world’s first programmable countdown with a mechanical memory.

Once the countdown has been initiated, it can still be adjusted, entirely on the fly. This allows sailors to synchronize their watch with the official race clock to ensure maximum accuracy. Unlike the design of most other watches, the rotating bezel on the Yacht-Master II is actually connected to the movement inside, allowing it to function as the control interface for the adjustable countdown.

Like all watches made by Rolex, the movement and internals are shielded from the elements by an Oyster case with a screw-down crown and case back. This gives the Yacht-Master II a depth rating of 100 meters, while a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal protects the dial.

Visually speaking, the Yacht-Master II is a rather large deviation from Rolex’s usual aesthetics, and its design is anything but subtle. The watch measures 44mm in diameter, making it the largest in Rolex’s current lineup, and the red hands and bright blue, Cerachrom bezel give the watch a nautical appearance, further adding to its extroverted style.

The Yacht-Master II is currently available in four different metal options: stainless steel, yellow gold, Rolesor (stainless steel and rose gold), and a white gold/platinum edition. At 44mm wide with a solid-link bracelet, the stainless steel Yacht-Master II already has some heft to it, and weight only increases from there with the use of 18-karat gold and platinum in the premium metal versions.

The Yacht-Master II may not the most practical watch for boat racing; a contemporary digital regatta timer would probably be a more reasonable option. However, much like a solid-gold dive watch, the Yacht-Master II is more than just a utilitarian tool watch; it is intended to be a status symbol, alluding to one’s participation in a lifestyle sport.

While the first rendition of the Yacht-Master lacked any features specifically intended for boat racing, the Yacht-Master II’s regatta countdown complication makes it about as niche of a sports watch as one can find. Overall, the Yacht-Master II is luxurious, playful, and larger-than-life – just like the sport for which it was created.

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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Yacht-Master

Stay the course, mapping invisible routes.

For those at sea, staying the course is a constant challenge. Defying the laws of logic, bearings can be lost suddenly in difficult conditions, thus requiring adaptability and the capacity to react quickly. Since 1992, the Yacht-Master – equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel – has become the established watch of masterful sailors who know how to react in order to keep their heading, in any situation.

Technical and elegant, the Yacht-Master is a reliable nautical instrument.

Bidirectional rotatable bezel

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metal (gold or platinum) or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt background. This functional bezel – which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Oysterflex bracelet

This technical bracelet, developed by Rolex and patented, singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the suppleness, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap.

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, yellow gold.