rolex yachtmaster 2 2013

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Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Review | Stainless Steel | 2013 Edition (Ref. 116680)

Presenting the Rolex Yacht-Master II Oyster Perpetual.

The Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Stainless Steel (ref. 116680) is a polarizing model that has stirred up the Rolex collector community like no other. It’s a big, bold and vibrant watch that screams its name in the face of anyone that is graced with its presence. Although it may not be the watch for everyone, there is so much to appreciate about the Rolex Yacht-Master 2. In this Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Review, we will give you an in-depth look at all of the Rolex Yacht-Master II’s features and discuss why we think this Rolex Oyster Perpetual will go down as one of the best watches of this decade.

ROLEX YACHT-MASTER II STAINLESS STEEL 2013 EDITION

The Rolex Yacht-Master II 2013 edition has a large 44mm Oyster Steel case and an energetic blue bezel with big text. The Rolex Yachtmaster II is a distinguished watch that has amazingly unique qualities from other Oyster Perpetual watches that Rolex makes. It was created with a professional need in mind, that being a skipper of a yacht.

The Rolex 116680 has a programmable regatta countdown flyback chronograph, which is made in-house by Rolex. Furthermore, and even more noteworthy, it has complicated complications that allow it to manage a very specific problem remarkably, which is water pressure. The Rolex Yachtmaster II can handle water pressure superbly. This is a feature that allows Rolex to flex its historical muscles, once again.

Rolex released a new edition of the Yacht-Master II in 2017, but there are only two main differences from the 2013 edition.

Two differences of the Yacht Master II 2013 and Yacht Master II 2017:

• Most noticeably, the hour minute hands on the 2017 edition are slightly larger – The minute hand is more skeletonized and the hour hand rocks the iconic “Mercedes” hand on the 2017 edition.
• An inverted triangle marks the 12 o’clock hour marker and a rectangle marks the 6 o’clock on the 2017 edition. The 2013 edition, as seen in this article, has square markers all around.

The watch’s complications are the same on both the 2013 and 2017 editions.

This Yacht Master 2 review is of our personal watch, the Yacht-Master II 2013 edition. The 2013 Yacht Master 2 is no longer available at authorized Rolex dealers; however, you can purchase one from Raymond Lee Jewelers.

Buy the Rolex Yachtmaster II [116680] by inquiring here

The Rolex Yacht Master 2 Stainless Steel has everything you could ask for when it comes to a sports watch, and the Regatta Timer really sets this watch apart from the rest. So, let’s get into the specifics…

Rolex 116680 Blue Bezel and White Dial with Deep Blue Hands and a Red Countdown Hand

The boldness of this watch indicates that the person donning it is accustomed to luxurious goods and could very well own a yacht. As humble as most of us are, it’s still nice to flex our Rolex on occasion.

The electric blue bezel is made of Cerachrom, which is developed and patented by Rolex. Cerachrom is a material that ensures lifelong beauty and functionality even after exposure to intense conditions, which is a common occurrence for yacht skippers and divers, amongst many other professionals who were Rolex watches. The bezel is the perfect combination for the whole of this extroverted watch, with its massive numbers and name, “YACHT-MASTER”, proudly encircling the vibrant bezel. It is a bidirectional rotatable “Ring Command Bezel” with a purposeful function.

The bezel is actually the key mechanical component of the regatta chronograph. It allows the countdown duration to be programmed into the watch at any time, to meet the needs of the person wearing it efficiently and effectively. In fact, this is the first watch that has the bezel explicitly connected to the movement. This means it can be set and synchronized to the sequence of the start times during a race by using the bezel. It is simple in use and it functions impeccably. Further below we will explain how to use the Regatta timer.

The dial is unique, with its strong, embellished appearance, which truly distinguishes itself from a normal Rolex. The matte finished white-lacquered dial is more than easy on the eyes. It is absolutely stunning. Furthermore, the matte finish and large numerals allow for easy readability.

The hands are of a deep blue and partially skeletonized, and the tip of the hour hand has Chromalight display, which is luminous for readability at night. There’s a nice center seconds sub-dial just above the 6 o’clock as well, which comes in 10-minute increments and functions as a countdown timer.

Rolex Yacht Master 2 Steel Case – Oyster Perpetual

The Rolex Yacht Master II 44mm case is made with a traditional Rolex Oystersteel. Rolex created Oystersteel, and the metal belongs to the 904L steel, superalloy family. This kind of steel is known for being used in high-tech industries such as aerospace, as it is necessary to obtain maximum resistance to corrosion. That means Rolex’s Oystersteel is superbly resistant to wear and will maintain its polished beauty even in the roughest, harshest environments. This is an extremely crucial factor in why Rolex’s Oystersteel watches are our favorite sports watches.

As mentioned, the case is 44mm in diameter, which is big, yet it looks great and is proportional on the wrist from both the profile and top view. It is a very noticeable watch, which is something that many Rolex collectors appreciate.

Triplock Winding Crown

An essential feature of the Rolex Yachtmaster 116680 is the Triplock Winding Crown. It is a patented triple waterproof design system made for divers and developed by Rolex. The Yacht Master 2 can handle immense water pressure thanks to the Triplock System. The Triplock system was released in 1970, consisting of 10 different elements. All of them are the most reliable materials you could ask for in a diving watch. The winding crown tightens down on the Oyster case just as a submarines hatch would; Sealing it shut and never letting water in.

The programmable countdown is controlled by the Chrono Pushers at the 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock position.

Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Movement

The Rolex 4161 movement is a hearty one, with great chronometry competence. It meets the standards of both the Rolex Chronometer Certification and the COSC.

Rolex manufactured it in-house with a calibre 4161 movement. This was an upgrade from the original Yacht-Master 2, which used a 4060. It is a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, with its architecture, innovativeness, and manufacturing quality allowing it to be exceptionally accurate and stable. Additionally, it holds an added modification to meet Rolex’s chronometer specifications of +/- 2 seconds a day.

How to use the Rolex Yacht Master 2 Regatta Timer

The Regatta countdown timer is a feature that truly makes the Yacht-Master remarkable, with its unparalleled mechanical function that can be programmed from 1-10 minutes, allowing skippers to accurately time and follow every race’s official starting process. It’s not only useful for skippers of course; it can also be used for anything that you want to time under 10 minutes.

In 2007, when it was first produced, the Rolex Yacht-Master II was the only chronograph that had a programmable countdown function. This was achieved by implementing the use of the bezel, which is a bi-direction bezel, not a diving bezel.

The bezel is called a Ring Command Bezel, and many people don’t fully understand how it works, so we will explain in a simple manner:

• Firstly, from the bezel’s standard position, where the “YACHT-MASTER II” writing is at its 6 o’clock, rotate the bezel counter-clockwise until it clicks, which will be just about when the “1” on the bezel is at the top.
• Then, take the bottom pusher and press it in, which will lock it in making it fully depressed. When it’s in this position, you will know it’s ok to go ahead and set the countdown timer.
• So from here, you can rotate the countdown hand to set it to 1-10 minutes, depending on your need for a countdown-time. The countdown hand is the red triangle hand, and you will see it move as you twist the crown clockwise.
• Once you have the countdown hand at the desired time, rotate the bezel back to its starting position, with the “YACHT-MASTER II” text at the bottom and the 1 at the crown. You will hear two clicks when doing this and the bottom pusher will pop back out.
• Lastly, screw in the crown, as you want to make sure the watch stays watertight, and then to start the timer, push the top pusher, which is the traditional chronograph function. When you do this, you will see the second hand starting to rotate and the countdown hand/timer has begun.

– If you want to pause it at any point, just press the top pusher. And, to start again, do the same; press the top pusher. – If you want to reset it, press the top pusher and then press the bottom pusher and the countdown hand will return the starting position that you set it at. Now, if you wanted to reset it to a different starting countdown time, you would need to go through the same process, starting at point 1 above.

It’s really a fun feature and even if you aren’t running a Regatta Race, you can find a ton of ways to use this in daily life.

Ref. 116680 Rolex Yacht-Master II 2013 Oyster Bracelet & Oysterlock

Even though it is a sport watch, the bracelet has a high polished finish that you would see on a dressier watch. There is a high polish down the center of the three-piece link oyster bracelet. The clasp has a safety folding Oysterlock with a 5mm comfort extension that Rolex typically builds in. The Oysterlock is highly unlikely to accidentally open as it has an extremely solid construction. This bracelet remains the most universal style from the Oyster collections, as the old saying goes “don’t fix what isn’t broke”, and this bracelet is one of the best.

Rolex Yachtmaster 2 on Wrist – Watch Presence

Besides the fact that wearing the Rolex 116680 Yacht Master 2 means you have a mechanical phenomenon on your wrist, aesthetically speaking, in our opinion, it provides a marvelous presence as well. It’s a colossal watch that is super fun to wear thanks to its sporty look. It is the type of watch that “can do both”. So, you could wear this on a night out or on a fishing trip with the buddies, to the office dressed to the nine or to a basketball game donning your most casual wear. The Yachtmaster II 2013 is unapologetically flashy, yet it has an elegant style that makes it far from gaudy.

The blue, white and red colors create the perfect contrast, giving it an aquatic feel that is a pleasure to look at. This is the watch that you can walk around with proudly, and it (and the person wearing it) is sure to catch people’s eyes. It can be a surprisingly refreshing feel if you are the type to wear mostly 40mm and under watches.

Although it is a heavy watch, comparably, the weight isn’t a problem, and those who own the Yacht-Master II wear it all day without any displeasure despite its large size. This is partially due to the downward curvature of the lugs and the ergonomic design.

Who Is The Rolex Yacht-Master II For?

Put simply, this is the watch for someone who likes to stand out and appreciates and can find use of the Regatta Timer Countdown function.

Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Weight

Although the Oystersteel is a bit heavy, it is by no means uncomfortable. The watch has some weight to it, though, which is something most people expect and want from a stainless steel Rolex watch. Comparing to the gold/steel, solid yellow gold, and platinum/white gold models, the Stainless Steel Yacht-Master 2 is the lightest of the bunch.

Rolex Yachtmaster 2 Stainless Steel Price – 2013 edition

The Rolex Yacht Master II 2013 Price : Appx. $16,000.

Rolex Yacht-Master II 2013 Stainless Steel Edition Specifications

Reference:  116680 Case : Round; Oystersteel, 44 mm diameter – Screw-down case back, Monobloc middle case, and Triplock winding crown. Winding crown : Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system Material : 904L steel – Oystersteel Bezel : Bidirectional rotatable Ring Command bezel. Blue Cerachrom, with ceramic, engraved numerals and inscription. Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire Water resistance : Waterproof to 330ft Movement : Regatta timing – Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph, -2/+2 sec/day precision, after casing Engine : Calibre 4161, Manufactured by Rolex Functions : Chronograph, Hour, Minute, Second, Chronometer Power Reserve:  Approximately 72 hours Bracelet : Oyster, flat three-piece links, 904L steel Clasp : Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link Dial : White. Hands: Luminous blue with red triangle countdown timer Certification : Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing) Gender : Male

Rolex Yachtmaster 2 History

Rolex first introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992. It was a full-gold version, 40mm in size. Later in the 90s (in 1999), Rolex created the Rolesium Yacht-Master, which was a stainless steel and platinum version (ref. 116622).

In 2007, the Yacht-Master II was born. And, until 2013, there were only gold and bi-color versions. 2013 was the dawn of the stainless steel version, which is the feature of this Rolex Yachtmaster 2 review. You can see and read about the various Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master 2 watches here .

The Yacht-Master 2 was when the Regatta timer and new functionality came out. The original Yacht Master is very similar to the Sea-Dweller and Submariner of that time.

Where to buy a Second Hand Rolex Yachtmaster 2?

Raymond Lee Jewelers, located in South Florida’s beautiful city of Boca Raton, has the 2013 Yacht-Master 2 for sale. Additionally, we have many other Rolex Yacht-Master watches. You can inquire about the Yacht-Master 2 featured in this article below.

About Raymond Lee Jewelers in Boca Raton

Raymond Lee Jewelers is one of South Florida’s best sales and service centers for watches, diamonds, and high-end jewelry. We are a family business that has spent the last 30 years building a solid reputation selling luxury watches and jewelry at wholesale prices. Furthermore, Raymond Lee Jewelers has one of the largest collections of Rolex watches in all of South Florida. Our goal is to meet the needs of our customers at our Boca Raton retail store and online. We also aim to provide our community with the best possible experience when it comes to any fine jewelry dealings. We combine value, quality and the ability to meet and understand the needs of people of all ages.

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Oyster Perpetual

Yacht-Master

Staying on course, mapping invisible routes.

For those at sea, staying on course is a constant challenge. When dealing with the elements, nothing is certain and constant reaction is required to stay in the right direction. Since its launch in 1992, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master has been equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel that facilitates the calculation and reading of navigational time. Elegantly combining functionality and nautical style, this watch has made its mark well beyond its professional realm.

A shared quest for precision

Knowing where you are in space and time, setting a course and sticking to it are vital in navigation. Given its function, the watch is an essential tool for sailors to assess their position. Regarded as the most precise horological instruments in the world, marine chronometers have been certified by astronomical observatories since the 18th century. At the time, the ultimate authority for measuring chronometric precision was the Kew Observatory in Great Britain.

In 1914, the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, had one of the brand’s watches tested by this very observatory, which certified it as a chronometer: a first in the watchmaking world for a wristwatch. Since then, renowned sailors, such as Sir Francis Chichester and Bernard Moitessier, have navigated the seas with Rolex wristwatches serving as onboard chronometers.

Matching the precision of marine chronometers was fundamental to Rolex’s watchmaking.

Designed for navigators

Sailing occupies a special place in the world of Rolex. In 1958, the brand partnered the New York Yacht Club, creator of the legendary America’s Cup. Rolex then formed partnerships with several prestigious yacht clubs around the world and became associated with major nautical events – offshore races and coastal regattas.

These strong ties culminated in 1992 with the launch of the Yacht-Master. Boasting the robustness and waterproofness of our Oyster case, this chronometer is fitted with a bidirectional bezel with raised 60-minute graduations to enable navigational time to be calculated and read.

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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. An elegant watch with a sporty character, it was the first to be paired with an Oysterflex bracelet in 2015.

In 2023, after testing under real-life conditions by acclaimed helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie, Rolex launched a new version of the Yacht-Master 42. It is made of RLX titanium, a high-performance material, at once light, robust and corrosion resistant.

A veritable ally at sea, the Yacht-Master also elegantly adorns the wrists of navigators once back on solid ground. With many different versions, it is a model that transcends its seafaring origins. It has become a watch for those who know how to change course without losing sight of the horizon, moving freely.

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, yellow gold.

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Rolex Yacht-Master II Ultimate Buying Guide

There are some Rolex watches that are more or less universally loved, with a simple and versatile aesthetic that leaves little room for any sort of animosity. However, there are others within the portfolio that almost seem to have been created specifically to invite controversy, taking the brand away from its traditional design base and into more contentious territories. The Rolex Yacht-Master II collection is one of those watches.

When it arrived in the mid-2000s, the Yachtmaster II was so far removed from anything Rolex had created before that nobody seemed to know quite what to make of it. The watch was a big, bold and extremely expensive addition to the catalog, and while it was obviously slotted into the brand’s Professional Collection, it stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. However, that was back then. Looking at the brand’s catalog today, it seems that Rolex was simply ahead of the game.

The Yacht Master II’s once challenging looks have matured, and although it is still most definitely a visually striking watch, it is no longer considered completely over the top. Mechanically, it is also incredibly impressive. On its debut, it instantly became Rolex’s most complicated watch, with a one-of-a-kind functionality aimed at about as niche a group as you could imagine. Below we have laid out a complete guide to the Rolex Yacht-Master II with everything you need to know in order to make an informed decision.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

Yacht-Master II Key Features:

– Year Introduced: 2007

– Case Size: 44mm

– Materials: Oystersteel; Everose Rolesor; 18k Yellow Gold; 18k White Gold & Platinum

– Functions: Time w/Running Seconds, Programmable Regatta Timer w/ Mechanical Memory

– Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Ring Command, Blue Ceramic or Platinum Insert w/ 10-Minute Countdown Scale

– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 4161

– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet

– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet

– Retail Price: $18,750 – $48,150 USD (Approx.)

For more info, visit our guide on how to use the regatta timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Rolex Yacht-Master II History

Launched in 2007, the Rolex Yacht Master II debuted some 15-years after its original Yachtmaster namesake. However, the similarities between this watch and the model that first carried the Yacht-Master name are pretty much zero.

Where the earlier model is essentially a more luxurious take on the Rolex Submariner, the Yacht-Master II is a fully-fledged item of luxury professional sailing equipment, designed from the outset to assist skippers keep track of time during the complicated starting sequence of a regatta. That technically leaves the Yacht-Master II in the tool watch category, but this is a long way from the likes of the more utilitarian Explorer II and evidence of that can be found in its release schedule.

The first versions of the Rolex Yacht Master II to be unveiled were the 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 and the even more opulent 18k white gold version fitted with a platinum bezel, the ref. 116689. Quite a bit removed from the brand’s usually conservative styling, this large, gleaming, in-your-face effort that shouted its own name across its bezel, was an immediate opinion splitter. Traditionalists were horrified, lamenting Rolex’s continued straying from its roots, while others who enjoy having their watches noticed, embraced it wholeheartedly.

The financial crash that followed in 2008 altered the landscape for watchmakers (along with everyone else) and called for more affordable pieces to come forward. The Yachtmaster II collection expanded in 2011 with the unveiling of the ref. 116681, an Everose Rolesor model with a stainless steel case and outer bracelet links paired with a winding crown, pushers, and central links in Everose gold. That was followed by the version everyone was clamoring for in 2013 – the ref. 116680 in full stainless steel, which also introduced a new caliber, the Cal. 4161, replacing the former Cal. 4160.

The only other change the watch has undergone since then occurred on its 10th anniversary in 2017, when it was given a facelift so slight that Rolex didn’t even feel it warranted a new reference number. The square hour markers at the six and 12 o’clock were changed to a rectangle and inverted triangle respectively, and the simple stick handset was swapped for the Mercedes type to bring them in-line with much of the rest of the brand’s Professional Collection.

How Much Is A Rolex Yacht-Master II?

When the Rolex Yacht-Master II first arrived, the combination of its exclusively precious metal construction and the extraordinary engineering going on inside its movement meant that it was among the most expensive offerings in Rolex’s catalog . This left many admirers priced out of the picture, but the introduction of stainless steel and two-tone references would soon open the Yacht-Master II up to a much wider range of buyers.

The Rolesor model from 2011 sacrificed some of that wall-to-wall gold for 904L stainless steel and more or less cut the asking price in half, while the full steel version dropped the retail price even further. Today, brand-new examples vary from $18,750 for the full stainless steel model up to $48,150 for the white gold and platinum version. But what about pre-owned prices?

The rather love-it-or-hate-it visuals of the Rolex Yacht Master II means that it doesn’t attract quite the same level of universal frenzy as the Daytona or Submariner. It is not completely out of the question for an authorized retailer to even have a model or two in stock, which isn’t something that can be said about the vast majority of the brand’s other sports watches. For that reason, pre-owned models do command a bit of a premium, but nowhere near as much as some of the other models in the brand’s catalog.

You can expect to pay a minimum of around $18,000 for an unworn steel piece on the secondary market, while the Everose Rolesor edition comes in closer to about $25,000. The 18k yellow gold ref. 116688 also holds pretty steady, with most examples falling somewhere in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, depending on age and overall condition. Finally, the ref. 116689 – the top-of-the-line model in white gold and platinum, is where the biggest discounts can be found. A brand-new example costs $48,150 at an authorized dealer, but an older example on the pre-owned market can often be found for just under $30,000.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Design

The Yacht-Master II is arguably the least “Rolex-looking” Rolex watch ever made, which is the core reason behind why it ruffled so many feathers among purist collectors upon its release. It’s arrival took the brand down previously unexplored experimental paths, a very far cry from the sort of discreetly restrained icons present throughout the rest of its portfolio.

The Yacht-Master II is a hard-working watch with a lot of information to present and as a result, it has what initially looks like somewhat of a cluttered dial. However, a lot of that is down to a trick of the eye concerning the bezel’s 1-10 numerals being mirrored exactly around the horseshoe-shaped track on the face. This is obviously the regatta countdown scale, designed to help yacht skippers synchronize their boats’ movements with the race’s starting gun (we’ll get onto this more a little later).

What it means for the overall styling is a lot of numbers on the watch that you will not be using for the vast majority of the time you are wearing it. But while it may come across as a little jam-packed – particularly when you add in the chronograph hand, arrowhead countdown pointer, and a small running seconds sub-dial at the bottom – once you get used to it, you can’t help but be impressed with how much Rolex’s technicians have achieved with so little. No, it isn’t exactly the Explorer’s 3/6/9 arrangement, but it is perfectly readable with a little familiarity and conveys the information it provides in a clean and legible manner.

Despite only containing four models (all of which have white dials), the series actually covers a good range of tastes. The ref. 116688 could be in the running for most showy standard-production Rolex currently available, its all-yellow gold case somehow making the bright blue bezel pop even more. At the other end, the white gold and platinum ref. 116689 is as low-key and reserved as a 44mm wide, 14mm thick, highly-complicated, solid-gold sports watch can be. The virtual monochrome is lifted only by the red chrono hand and arrowed pointer.

In-between, the stainless steel and Everose Rolesor models do the job of appealing to more middle-of-the-road palates. Their color combinations, along with the mix of brushed and polished elements on the watch itself, keep it all on the right side of overdone, and the two-tone model’s bezel numerals also being filled in Everose gold is a nice touch. Unlikely to ever be described as subtle, any version of the Rolex Yacht-Master II is guaranteed to receive some attention.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Functions

Looks aside, the big talking point around the Rolex Yacht Master II lies in what it can do. There is a strong argument against calling the watch a genuine chronograph as it doesn’t so much keep track of elapsed time in the traditional sense, as it does count backwards from a specific starting point, up to a maximum of 10-minutes.

How is that useful? It is all down to how a professional regatta gets underway. Due to the nature of wind and water, it simply isn’t possible to get a bunch of yachts all lined up at a particular spot in the ocean and have them set off at the same time. Instead, the start of a race goes in stages, with each one marked by a gunshot or other audible signal. The first is usually sounded 10-minutes before the start (although it can also be seven or even five), and the skippers must maneuver their boats back and forth in front of the line without crossing it, jockeying with the other competitors for prime position.

There follows two further preparatory signals at precise intervals, and crews must coordinate their approach so they are as close to the start point as possible at the exact moment the race officially begins. It is that pair of additional signals that call into action one of the party tricks of the Yacht-Master II’s unique complication. Should the watch fall out of sync with the regatta reference clock for any reason, a press of the lower pusher activates the flyback (or fly-forward) function, snapping the chronograph hand to the nearest minute to allow the two timers to match up again. Even more notably, it is the only mechanical watch in the world with a programmable memory, meaning the wearer can reset back to the specified original countdown point at any time.

Giving access to all this engineering virtuosity is what Rolex has dubbed its Ring Command Bezel. This was the first appearance of the concept, with the second generation taking control of the Sky-Dweller’s myriad of functions a few years later. On both models, the bezel is directly linked to the internal movement, and on the Yacht-Master II, it acts as an analogue on/off switch. Rotating it 90° unlocks the functionality and allows for the countdown timer to be set with the crown. Turning it back again locks everything in place, and engages the memory. The watch is then operated as a standard chronograph, with the top pusher activating the starts and stops, and the bottom taking charge of the reset or flyback/fly-forward functions.

For a manufacturer not renowned for the complexity of its watches (quite the opposite, in fact) Rolex’s regatta timer is a seriously impressive performer. It may have been created for an especially select group, but it is truly surprising how useful it can be to count down accurately from 10-minutes, even for those of us who may not own a yacht – particularly if you like your pasta al dente.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Movement

The first run of the Rolex Yacht-Master II was powered by the in-house Caliber 4160. At the time, it was the most component-heavy movement the brand had ever created, but it was essentially a heavily reworked version of the Cal. 4130 from the Daytona. The column wheel, vertical clutch and ball-bearing rotor were all carried over from the brand’s legendary racing chronograph.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with that, and the Rolex Daytona’s movement remains one of the most reliable and accurate mass-produced chronograph calibers of the modern era. However, with the arrival of the long-awaited stainless steel Yacht-Master II in 2013, Rolex also unveiled a new mechanism, the Caliber 4161, the product of additional refinements and some 35,000 hours of development.

Made up of over 360 components, including those produced via a highly specialized fabrication process called UV-LiGA which uses ultraviolet light to build microstructures, this dedicated movement provided a crisper feel to the pushers and greater reliability. With that in mind, both the Cal. 4160 and the Cal. 4161 benefitted from Rolex advances such as the blue Parachrom hairspring, as well as providing users with a highly-respectable 72-hour power reserve and a 28,800vph balance frequency.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Bracelet

At the present time, all of the various Rolex Yacht-Master II models are fitted with the three-link Oyster bracelet, as befits a true sports watch. On each version, the inner links have been given a high polish to match the gleaming case, while the outer links receive a satin finish to provide a contrast against the lugs.

As for material, the bracelet is crafted from the same metal as the watch head: stainless steel, yellow gold or white gold. With the Rolesor example, the innermost links are forged from Everose gold, leaving the outer side links in 904L stainless Oystersteel. Tying it all together is the Oysterlock folding clasp, equipped with the brand’s Easylink extension system that allows for approximately 5mm of tool-free bracelet adjustment, completely on the fly and without the use of any tools.

The Yacht-Master II was something of a retaliation from Rolex against decades-worth of naysayers criticizing the brand for the lack of complicated watches in its lineup. Rolex’s rebuttal, while not the most all-encompassing in terms of looks or utility, still stands as a hugely significant piece of technical dexterity. Rolex has always produced tool watches, but as the company continues to make the transition towards being a true luxury manufacturer, the tool watches it produces also take on a more luxurious nature and the Yacht-Master II perfectly embodies this. Large and uncompromising, it is perhaps the most eccentric model Rolex has to offer – and it is always happy to take center stage.

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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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II Hands-On

The year is 2011 and this conversation is overheard in a Rolex boutique.

“Good morning.” “Good morning, sir, how may we help you?” “I’d like a large Rolex.” “That’d be the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II. Here you go, sir.” “I’ll take that, thank you. Bye.” “Bye!”

All images by David Bredan

The Large Rolex

For the longest time, and I’ll take the blame for this, I couldn’t see the Yacht-Master II as nothing more than  The Large Rolex . The 44mm wide Yacht-Master II was the go-to large Rolex, with a massive gap in size between it and the 40mm Sea-Dwellers, Submariners, and others. Debuted in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was followed just next year by the absolutely massive Deepsea that had the same width at 44mm but was considerably thicker, so it both appeared and wore much, much larger than the YMII, placing it far off the map for most.

The Sky-Dweller made its debut in 2012, and while it also looks and wears large, until 2017 it was exclusively available in solid gold cases, rendering it about 40% more expensive than the two-tone YMII that had already been available by 2012. I did look these things up – wouldn’t want to pose as someone who remembers all this. No wonder then, that the Yacht-Master II became The Large Rolex worn by premiership ballerinas footballers, celebrities, and… basically everyone who wanted in on the large watch craze with a Rolex, but didn’t like or couldn’t afford the Sky-Dweller. The fact that Rolex took so long and only debuted the larger, 43mm wide Sea-Dweller in 2017 is just Rolex being its usual cautious self that caused it to nearly miss the boat on the large watch trend – but that’s for another discussion.

Stars aligned and I ended up in a Rolex boutique with a camera in one hand and the Yacht-Master II in the other – welcome to watch blogger life. It was only there that I realized I should have cared about the Yacht-Master II because my goodness, it is a truly impressive piece of watchmaking. It’s the Bentley of watches: big, brash, and showy, bought by a demographic that people not part of are keen not to be associated with… But beyond all that lies a deeply impressive, well-made, uniquely cool product.

I am realizing now that it might as well just be my boredom with the Submariners and Datejusts speaking, but as I was reviewing my images on the spot on the camera’s screen (not even a larger, better display) I realized the many intricate and well-made details of the Yacht-Master II. It’s proper Rolex through and through – you’d never ever mistake the entire watch or any of its details for anything but a Rolex – but at the same time its functionality, layout, as well as its case and dial design are all refreshingly unique.

Yes, that’s what got me. The weird, piston-style pushers (that need not be screwed down), the weird, but strangely beautiful proportions of the lugs and bezel, the incredible quality of the blue ceramic bezel and its laser-etched, PVD-coated numerals, the weird arch of the dial that resembles (in my mind at least) a gauge of a submarine, and the ADD-curing tactile feel of the Ring Command bezel. These make the Yacht-Master II not only unlike any other Rolex, but unlike any other watch. How did this happen?

Whether or not Rolex had the large watch trend on its mind when designing the Yacht-Master II, we’ll never know. I have no hopes in receiving a definitive “yes, we did” or “no, we didn’t” answer from them. The Yacht-Master II was designed with a programmable fly-back regatta chronograph ( ooooh, just writing that down felt strangely satisfying ) and it was also the watch to debut Rolex’s Ring Command rotating bezel system that was later also used in the Sky-Dweller.

We’ll look at how it all works soon but for a second imagine the amount of R&D time and effort that must have gone into designing what is now called the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 4161 “with some 360 components.” What the heck, even Rolex appears to be proud of this movement as this, I believe, is the only movement they proactively communicate the exact component count of. It is known that the 4130 chronograph in the Daytona has 201 parts, but Rolex officially only ever said they managed to reduce the chronograph’s component count by 60%, without providing the total 201 count – and as far as the other movements are concerned, no exact component figure is ever shared.

Give or take the large watch trend, the Yacht-Master II is also something else: it’s Rolex’s love letter to one of its obscure, but long-standing passions, yachting. Worry not, I’ll spare you the long, teary-eyed story of all that’s exciting about yachting. That’s partly because I’ve never been on a racing yacht and partly because it’s irrelevant in this discussion – you either already are a skipper at heart, or if you’re not, my measly few words won’t get you started. Rolex has produced a number of longer videos on the topic, so if you can take 24 minutes of “uplifting-instrumental-music.mp3” and are desperate to learn more about yachting, then I suggest you watch the video above. But only then.

So, looking at it strictly as a watch, without its implications, customer base, or inspiration, what do we have with the Rolex Yacht-Master II? From my time with it, I came away with a new-found admiration for its many impressive feats starting with its mechanical engineering and ending with its countless neatly executed details. The Rolex Yacht-Master II was specifically designed for regatta yacht races where the starting procedure of the race requires each yacht to be positioned as best as possible when a given time limit expires. From what I understand this time limit before the actual start varies between 5 and 10 minutes and so skippers need a regatta timer watch with a countdown timer (i.e. a reverse chronograph) that can be programmed to count down from a pre-set time between 5 and 10 minutes. When the officials give a signal, the countdown begins, the pre-set regatta chronographs are started, and the maneuvering begins.

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Rolex Yachtmaster 2 44 2013

• Model number: 116681
• Case Material: Stainless steel and rose gold 
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Movement Type: Automatic 
• Original Guarantee: Yes  
• Year: July 2013 
• Condition: Immaculate
• Additional information: Partial stickers, discontinued model 
• Stock number: RX15767
• All our watches are sold with a 1 Year Warranty.
• This is images of the actual watch. We do not use stock images.
• Description

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