Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 specifications
The 116680 is a 44 mm steel chronograph built around one job: counting down to a sailing race start. In practice, that means no date, a large countdown hand and a bezel that doubles as a programming tool.
| Reference | 116680 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Yacht-Master |
| Status | Discontinued (2024) |
| Introduced | 2013 |
| Successor | 126680 |
| Case diameter | 44 mm |
| Case material | Oystersteel |
| Bezel | Ring Command bidirectional bezel, blue Cerachrom insert |
| Dial options | White |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Calibre | 4161 |
| Movement | Automatic regatta chronograph with programmable 1-10 minute countdown with mechanical memory, blue Parachrom hairspring; Superlative Chronometer |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Bracelet / strap | Oyster, three-piece links; Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink |
| Retail price (US) | US$18,700 (last list price) |
| US retail in MYR (converted) | ≈ RM76,300 at 4.08; Malaysian list price not published |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
The Yacht-Master II arrived in 2007 in yellow gold as the 116688. Rolex then released the steel 116680 at Baselworld 2013, which made the model far more accessible. It ran for eleven years before Rolex discontinued it in 2024.
The Ring Command system
The heart of the watch is the Ring Command bezel. Most rotating bezels simply track time. On the 116680, however, the bezel connects to the movement. You turn it to unlock the programming mode, set the countdown with the crown and then lock it back. The countdown can run from one to ten minutes, and the movement remembers your setting mechanically.
That matters because yacht races often use different start sequences. A sailor can program five minutes, start the timer with the upper pusher and reset it with the lower one. Also, pressing reset during a countdown resynchronises the hand to the nearest minute, which helps when the race committee's signal is late.
Calibre 4161
Rolex developed calibre 4161 specifically for this function. It is an automatic regatta chronograph with a blue Parachrom hairspring and a 72-hour reserve. It is also among the most complex movements Rolex has made in series. For buyers, that has two effects. First, a working countdown is non-negotiable. Second, servicing costs more than on a simple Submariner.
The steel version's dial and bezel
The steel model pairs a white dial with a blue Cerachrom bezel insert. A red-tipped countdown hand sweeps across the upper dial, so the remaining minutes are easy to read at a glance. The look is bright and nautical. By contrast, the gold 116688 costs far more on the secondary market, so the steel model is where most buyers start.
116680 pre-owned prices compared
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$17,500 – US$19,000 | RM71,000 – RM78,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$15,000 – US$18,000 | RM61,000 – RM73,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$12,800 – US$16,600 | RM52,000 – RM68,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$10,800 – US$15,300 | RM44,000 – RM62,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 2 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$18,700. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
The last US list price was US$18,700. In October 2026, a clean example with its card changes hands at about US$15,000 – US$18,000, which converts to roughly RM61,000 to RM73,000. Rolex Malaysia did not publish a current ringgit price before discontinuation that we could confirm, so use the converted figures as a guide only.
What moves the price of this reference
The countdown comes first. A Yacht-Master II 116680 whose timer does not program, start or reset cleanly needs a costly repair. Therefore, dealers either discount it heavily or refuse it outright.
Service history comes next. A recent Rolex service with paperwork removes the biggest risk, and it adds real money. A full set also helps, as with any modern Rolex. Finally, polishing matters. The 116680 has large, flat case surfaces and a wide bezel, so over-polishing shows quickly. Read our Rolex service and value guide before paying extra for a "just serviced" claim.
Where to check prices
Authorised dealers no longer sell the 116680 new, so the boutique price is only a historical reference. Grey dealers in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore stock it occasionally; ask whether their price includes a fresh service. Chrono24-style marketplaces show many examples worldwide, which makes it easy to compare. Auction results exist but are scattered. For a broader view, see our used Rolex prices guide.
When a price is too good to be true
Heavily polished or altered pieces still fetch from about US$10,800. As a result, a "full set, excellent" 116680 offered under about US$12,000 (roughly RM49,000) is a red flag. Be especially careful with private sellers who will not let you test the countdown in person.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 116680
Test the regatta function first
The countdown is the hardest thing to fake well. So, on any Yacht-Master II 116680, run the full sequence. Turn the bezel to its stop, unscrew the crown and set the countdown. Then lock the bezel, start the timer and reset it. On a genuine watch, each step feels positive and precise. Many replicas use simplified movements that only imitate parts of this function.
Dial, bezel and case details
Check the blue Cerachrom insert next. Its numerals should be crisp and evenly filled. The red-tipped countdown hand should align exactly with the countdown markers. Also, the pushers at 2 and 4 should screw down smoothly, and the Triplock crown should feel firm.
There is no date and no Cyclops on this reference. So if you see either, it is not a genuine 116680.
Genuine: rehaut engraving alignment
- Each engraved crown and letter lines up with its minute marker
- Engraving is crisp, even in depth, and readable at 12 o'clock
- Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 on modern pieces
Warning signs
- Letters drift between markers as they go around the ring
- Shallow, sandy-looking or uneven engraving
- Serial at 6 printed rather than engraved, or wrong format
The crystal has a small laser-etched coronet above 6 o'clock. The caseback is plain and solid; no Yacht-Master II has a display back.
Genuine: caseback
- Solid Oystersteel or gold, fluted edge for the case wrench
- No engraving on most models (some are factory-engraved, e.g. Sea-Dweller and Deepsea)
- Display backs are factory-fitted only on certain models (e.g. some Daytona, 1908, Land-Dweller)
Warning signs
- Exhibition window on a model Rolex makes with a solid back
- Stickers or decorative engravings sold as 'factory'
- Back that turns too easily or sits proud of the case
Genuine: seconds-hand sweep
- 28,800 vph: eight small steps per second, reads as a smooth glide on video
- Steady amplitude, no stutter when the watch is tilted
- A quiet, fine-grained ticking close to the ear
Warning signs
- Visibly choppier steps (often 21,600 vph or slower)
- A single one-second tick means a quartz movement
- Loud, rattly rotor noise when the watch is shaken
What only a watchmaker can confirm
Behind the solid back, a watchmaker should find calibre 4161, its markings and its blue Parachrom hairspring. They can also check the regatta module for wear or non-Rolex parts. In Malaysia, ask the Rolex service centre in Kuala Lumpur for an inspection or a service estimate. See our real vs fake Rolex guide and serial number guide for the paperwork side.
Who the 116680 suits, and the alternatives
This watch suits a buyer who likes mechanical complications and owns a large wrist. Sailors are the obvious audience, but many owners never race. They simply enjoy the bezel and countdown as a mechanism. It also suits someone who wants a steel sports Rolex below retail in 2026, which is rare.
Other options
If you want the newest movement, the Yacht-Master II 126680 replaces Ring Command with pushers and adds calibre 4162. Prefer something smaller and simpler? Then the steel-and-platinum Yacht-Master 40 126622 fits. If what draws you is the chronograph itself, the Daytona 126500LN is the obvious rival, although it trades well above retail. Our Yacht-Master vs Submariner comparison explains how the family differs from Rolex's dive line, and the Yacht-Master collection page compares every reference.
Living with a 116680
Owning this watch is a little different from owning a three-hand Rolex. For example, you should never operate the pushers under water, even though the case is rated to 100 metres. Also, the Ring Command bezel turns with more resistance than a dive bezel, because it is doing mechanical work. New owners sometimes mistake that for a fault.
Plan servicing around the chronograph. A countdown that stops returning cleanly to its programmed time, or a reset pusher that feels spongy, is a sign the movement needs attention. Meanwhile, the steel bracelet uses three-piece links and an Oysterlock clasp with Easylink, so it adjusts by about 5 mm on a hot Kuala Lumpur afternoon. Keep the original service papers, because the next buyer will ask for them.
Yacht-Master II 126680
The 2026 Yacht-Master II: new calibre 4162, pusher-set countdown, normal 60-minute bezel. Steel lists at US$20,300.
Yacht-Master 40 126622
40 mm Oystersteel with a 950 platinum bezel, slate or blue dial, calibre 3235. Trades near list.
116680 FAQ
Is the Yacht-Master II discontinued?
The steel 116680 is. Rolex dropped it in 2024, ending the Ring Command era for the steel model. However, the name returned at Watches & Wonders 2026 with the 126680, which uses a new calibre 4162 and programs the countdown with its pushers instead of the bezel. So the Yacht-Master II continues, but the 116680 is now a discontinued reference.
How does the Ring Command bezel work on the 116680?
To program the countdown, you turn the bezel counter-clockwise to its stop, which links it to the movement. Then you unscrew the crown and set a countdown from one to ten minutes. Turning the bezel back locks the setting into the mechanical memory. After that, the pushers start, stop and reset the timer.
Is the 116680 cheaper than the new 126680?
Yes, by a clear margin in October 2026. An excellent 116680 with papers trades around US$15,000 to US$18,000, while the new 126680 lists at US$20,300 and trades above that. The older watch is the value route into a Yacht-Master II, provided its countdown works properly.
What does a 116680 service cost?
Rolex does not publish fixed service prices, and costs vary by country. Expect a regatta chronograph to cost more to service than a simple three-hand watch, because calibre 4161 has more parts. Ask the Rolex service centre in Kuala Lumpur for a quote before you buy an example without recent service history.
Will the 116680 go up in value now it is discontinued?
Nobody can promise that. Discontinuation sometimes helps prices, but the 116680 has a successor with the same name, a newer movement and the same look. In October 2026, market data shows it stable and below its last list price. Buy it to wear, not as an investment.
Is the Yacht-Master II 116680 too big for a small wrist?
It is a 44 mm watch with a tall bezel, so it wears large. On wrists under about 17 cm, the lugs tend to overhang. Try one on before buying, because photos understate how much case there is.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.