What to expect from daily wear, servicing, water resistance, and strap choices on Rolex's 44mm programmable regatta timer.
The Yacht-Master II is the largest and most mechanically ambitious sports Rolex you can buy short of a Sky-Dweller. At 44mm it wears big, and its purpose is narrow: a programmable countdown timer for yacht racing starts. Owning one means accepting a watch built around a feature most people will never use for its intended job, then discovering the interaction between bezel and dial is genuinely satisfying anyway.
The headline feature is the rotating Ring Command bezel, which physically engages the caliber 4161 movement. To set the countdown, you unlock the bezel, rotate it, and program the timer anywhere from one to ten minutes. The mechanical memory lets you sync to the fly and reset to your last programmed value. It is tactile in a way digital timers are not.
On the wrist, the 44mm case sits tall. The steel 116680 and the steel-and-rose-gold Rolesor 116681 both use the same 44mm footprint, and lug-to-lug it demands a wrist of about 7 inches or more to look balanced. The white dial with its red and blue regatta countdown display reads clearly at a glance. The Rolesor version carries noticeably more weight thanks to the rose gold center links.
This is not a slim dress piece. It slides under a cuff with effort. As a daily watch it rewards people who like presence and don't mind the heft.
Water resistance is rated to 100 meters, backed by a Triplock winding crown and screw-down caseback. That covers swimming and surface water sports comfortably. Despite the nautical name and the regatta function, this is not a dive watch, so leave saturation diving to the Sea-Dweller. Rinse the case and bracelet with fresh water after saltwater exposure and the seals will last.
The blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert is effectively scratchproof and will not fade. Case and bracelet are 904L steel (Rolex calls it Oystersteel), which resists corrosion better than standard 316L. The sapphire crystal has a Cyclops over the date. In practice these watches shrug off years of wear; the weak point is usually the wearer knocking the large case against door frames and desks.
Rolex recommends service roughly every ten years, though many owners go in sooner if timekeeping drifts or the chronograph feels notchy. The caliber 4161 is one of Rolex's most complex movements, with the Ring Command coupling adding parts a standard chronograph does not have.
Budget accordingly. A full service through Rolex or an authorized watchmaker typically runs higher than a Submariner or Datejust because of that complexity, generally in the four-figure range once a complete overhaul, seal replacement, and pressure testing are included. Ask any independent watchmaker whether they are equipped for the 4161 specifically before handing it over; not all are. A proper service includes recalibration to COSC-level accuracy, so expect it to return running within a few seconds a day.
Keep the original box, and if you have the warranty card and receipts, hold onto them. Service papers and complete documentation protect resale value on a watch this specialized.
From the factory the Yacht-Master II ships on the Oyster bracelet with a folding Oysterlock safety clasp and the Easylink 5mm comfort extension. That extension matters here more than on most models, because the large case and heavy bracelet benefit from micro-adjustment as your wrist swells in heat or on the water. Flip it open for a quick half-link of extra room without tools.
The Rolesor 116681 pairs its steel bracelet with rose gold center links and a gold clasp, which adds shine but also weight and cost. The all-steel 116680 is the more practical everyday choice.
Aftermarket integrated rubber straps are a popular way to change the character of the watch and cut weight for actual water use. We stock fitted options in several colorways, including Ocean Camo, Heat Red, Navy Blue, and Gulfstream Blue. These swap cleanly onto the 44mm case and make the watch feel considerably lighter and more sport-focused. Keep your original bracelet safe; the factory Oyster is what buyers expect at resale.
The most frequent complaint is the Ring Command bezel feeling stiff or gritty over time, usually from grit and dried lubricant. That is a service issue, not a defect, and it resolves with an overhaul. Second, because the case is large and the crown guards prominent, the crown and its Triplock threads take abuse; cross-threading when screwing down is the fastest way to compromise water resistance, so seat it gently.
Earlier examples before the 2013 update used an aluminum bezel that could scratch. The ceramic-bezel references you see now, including the 116680 and 116681, solved that. On the pre-owned market, confirm the movement runs the full countdown and resets cleanly, and check that the Easylink extension operates. A watch that ticks all those boxes with papers is a sound long-term keeper.
Live inventory for this model — updated continuously as pieces arrive and sell.
