Everything a serious owner should know about wearing, servicing, and maintaining the Yacht-Master II over the long term.
The Yacht-Master II is one of the most mechanically ambitious watches Rolex has ever put into series production. Inside the 44mm case sits the caliber 4160/4161 with a programmable countdown and a mechanical memory, controlled through the Ring Command bezel. Owning one is less like living with a Submariner and more like keeping a purpose-built instrument. It rewards an owner who understands what it does and how to keep it running well.
We currently hold two examples: a 2019 steel 116680 with the white dial and blue ceramic bezel, and a 2021 116681 in steel and Everose gold with the same white dial and blue Cerachrom insert. Both are the standard 44mm format on the Oyster bracelet.
This is a large watch. At 44mm across with a tall case and a thick bezel, it wears with presence and needs some wrist to carry it. On a 7-inch wrist it sits well; below 6.5 inches it will feel like a lot of watch. The Oyster bracelet with the Oysterlock clasp and Easylink 5mm extension is one of the best in the business, and the Easylink matters here because a heavy steel watch swells and shrinks against your wrist through the day.
The countdown function is the party piece. You use the Ring Command bezel to program a regatta countdown from 1 to 10 minutes, and the mechanical memory lets you reset to your chosen figure with a single push. Even if you never sail, it is a satisfying complication to run. Just remember the crown and pusher sequence, because operating it out of order is the most common source of owner confusion.
Rolex recommends service roughly every ten years, though many owners and watchmakers prefer a 7-to-10 year window depending on use. Because the caliber 4161 is a chronograph with the added countdown module, a full service costs more than a time-and-date Rolex. Budget in the region of $900 to $1,300 through Rolex or a qualified independent, more if gaskets, the mainspring, or the Cerachrom-adjacent components need attention. A service includes disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, timing regulation, a new set of seals, and pressure testing.
Keep the paperwork. A documented service history supports resale value on both the steel 116680 and the two-tone 116681, and it reassures the next buyer that the movement has been maintained rather than run dry.
The Yacht-Master II is rated to 100 metres. That is genuine swimming and light diving depth, not a marketing figure, but it depends entirely on the crown being screwed down and the seals being sound. This is not a saturation diver, so treat 100m as everyday water confidence rather than an invitation to deep dive.
The case and bracelet are 904L steel, which Rolex calls Oystersteel. It resists corrosion better than standard steel and takes a polish well, though it also shows swirls and hairlines from daily contact. The blue Cerachrom bezel insert is effectively scratchproof and will not fade. The Everose gold on the 116681 is Rolex's proprietary rose alloy, engineered to resist the pinking-out that afflicts ordinary rose gold over time.
From the factory the Yacht-Master II ships on the Oyster bracelet, and that remains the default for both our references. It is the most secure and the most versatile choice. That said, a rubber strap transforms the watch for warm weather and actual water use. We stock aftermarket rubber straps cut specifically for the Yacht-Master II case in Ocean Camo, Heat Red, Navy Blue, and Gulfstream Blue. They are unworn and integrate to the case profile, giving you a lighter, sportier feel without touching the original bracelet, which you keep intact for resale.
A practical approach: wear the Oyster daily, keep a rubber strap for the boat or the beach, and store the original bracelet safely.
The most frequent owner error is misusing the Ring Command bezel and countdown, which can leave the watch appearing faulty when it simply needs resetting. Learn the sequence from the manual.
Watch the crown. Because the countdown demands more crown interaction than a normal Rolex, owners handle the crown more often, and cross-threading or leaving it unscrewed is the leading cause of moisture ingress. Always feel the crown seat cleanly before pushing home.
On older examples, check bracelet stretch at the clasp and pin holes, and inspect the pushers for smooth action. A sticky or gritty countdown pusher usually signals that service is due. On two-tone pieces like the 116681, examine the gold centre links and bezel for wear consistent with age.
The Yacht-Master II is a specialist watch, so it trades in a narrower band than a Submariner or Daytona. Our current examples sit between $24,250 and $28,200, which reflects steady demand for clean, serviced pieces with box and papers. Buy the best condition you can, keep it maintained, and it holds its position well.
Live inventory for this model — updated continuously as pieces arrive and sell.
