Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref. 116688

Luxury 18K Yellow Gold Regatta Chronograph | Automatic Movement | Blue Cerachrom Bezel | Programmable 10-Minute Countdown

Overview

The Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref. 116688 represents one of Rolex’s most technically sophisticated professional watches, combining the unmistakable luxury of an 18K yellow gold case and Oyster bracelet with a highly specialised mechanical complication designed for competitive yacht racing.

Featuring a substantial 44 mm 18K yellow gold case, a blue Cerachrom Ring Command bezel, and a distinctive white dial with blue and red accents, the Yacht-Master II has an unmistakable nautical character. The solid yellow-gold Oyster bracelet complements the case and gives the watch a powerful and luxurious presence on the wrist.

At the heart of the Yacht-Master II is Rolex’s Manufacture Calibre 4161, an automatic chronograph movement developed specifically for the model. Its defining feature is a programmable countdown timer that can be set for up to 10 minutes and synchronised on the fly, allowing the wearer to precisely follow the starting sequence of a regatta.

With its combination of precious-metal construction, sophisticated mechanical engineering, and purpose-built functionality, the Yacht-Master II Ref. 116688 is both a highly distinctive luxury sports watch and an exceptional example of Rolex’s technical watchmaking.

Historical Context

The Yacht-Master II was introduced by Rolex in 2007 as a purpose-built regatta chronograph designed specifically for the demanding starting sequences of yacht races. Unlike the Yacht-Master, which is primarily a luxury nautical watch, the Yacht-Master II was developed around a specific sporting function: accurately counting down the time before a regatta begins.

Reference 116688 was introduced as the solid 18K yellow-gold version of the Yacht-Master II. Its design combines Rolex’s traditional Oyster construction with the innovative Ring Command bezel, which is mechanically connected to the movement and allows the wearer to programme the countdown duration.

The countdown can be programmed for a period of up to 10 minutes. Once programmed, the setting is mechanically memorised, while the flyback-style synchronisation function allows the countdown to be adjusted during the race-start sequence. This enables the wearer to synchronise the watch with the official signals of the race committee.

The Ref. 116688 is particularly distinctive for its use of 18K yellow gold throughout the case and Oyster bracelet, combined with the blue Cerachrom bezel and highly legible regatta-oriented dial. The result is a watch that combines Rolex’s traditional luxury aesthetic with one of its most specialised mechanical complications.

Basic Information

Brand: Rolex
Model: Yacht-Master II
Reference number: 116688

Movement: Automatic
Caliber: Rolex Cal. 4161
Movement type: Regatta chronograph with programmable countdown
Power reserve: ~72 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels: 42

Case material: 18K yellow gold
Case diameter: 44 mm
Bezel: Blue Cerachrom Ring Command bezel
Bezel material: Blue ceramic

Water resistance: 100 m (10 ATM)

Dial: White
Dial markers: Applied hour markers
Hands: Blue and red accents, with dedicated countdown indications

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, programmable countdown timer, regatta chronograph

Countdown: Programmable from 1 to 10 minutes with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronisation

Bracelet/strap: Rolex Oyster bracelet
Bracelet material: 18K yellow gold
Clasp: Oysterlock folding clasp
Clasp material: 18K yellow gold

Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Caseback: Solid screw-down caseback

Certification: Superlative Chronometer

Year of production: 2019

Condition: Very good

Scope of delivery: Original box, no original papers

Gender: Men's watch / Unisex