Rolex Yacht-Master II
+386 % above RRP
📱 Track this reference's market value on the go with the watch value app — daily median, price alerts and a watchlist.
ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Rolex Yacht-Master II (Ref. 116688) is $55,663. Last sold at auction: $26,830 (Sotheby's, 12/2024).
What if you had bought back then …
What would a purchase at the median market price back then have become — at today's level of $55,663. A pure return calculation, excluding insurance, servicing and transaction costs.
Data from an aggregated median time series (watch_market_daily). CAGR = Compound Annual Growth Rate, normalized to 365 days. Not an investment recommendation.
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Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Rolex Ref. 116688 — Variants and collector names
Known as: YM2, Yellow Regatta, Regatta Timer
Production phases and changes
- 2010: Market launch of Ref. 116688 in 18k yellow gold
- 2013: Caliber update: Cal. 4160 → Cal. 4161
- 2017: Hand update: baton hands → Mercedes hands, new index design
- 2024: Discontinuation of Ref. 116688 (April 2024)
Movement variants
- 4160 (2010–2013) · 28800 bph
- 4161 (2013–2024) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- 116688 18k YG Ring Command Blue Cerachrom "Ring Command"
Dial variants
- Phase 1 Stick Hands — White dial, stick indices in 18k YG, regatta scale (0–10 min) on dial, small seconds at 6h
- Phase 2 Mercedes Hands — White dial, Mercedes hands in 18k YG with Chromalight, triangle at 12h / rectangle at 6h, small seconds at 6h
Crystal variants
- Saphirglas 116680 flat
Bracelet variants
- Oyster Ref. Oyster-Yellow-Gold
Serial numbers
- ? – ? (2010–2024) — From approximately 2010/2011, Rolex switched to randomized (non-sequential) serial numbers. A datable serial range for the 116688 cannot therefore be determined. Engraving location: rehaut (inner bezel) between the lugs at 6h.
The Ref. 116688 is the Yacht-Master II in 18k yellow gold — 44 millimeters, Ring Command bezel in blue Cerachrom. The moment you trigger that programmable countdown for the first time — up to 10 minutes — you understand exactly why collectors call it the Yellow Regatta.
## Two Calibers, One Reference — and the Detail Change That Matters
Baselworld 2007 was the announcement; March 2010 was market launch — alongside the sister reference 116689 in white gold. Inside sat Cal. 4160. In 2013 came the update to Cal. 4161: Parachrom hairspring, COSC certification, and meaningfully better resistance to magnetic fields. Externally the watch stayed unchanged until 2017, when the 10th anniversary brought the landmark dial revision: baton hands out, Mercedes hands with Chromalight in, and a fresh index layout with a triangle at 12 and a rectangle at 6. The dial suffix shifted from -0001 to -0002.
## The Cut in April 2024 — and Why Phase 1 Is Now in Demand
In April 2024, Rolex discontinued the 116688 after 14 years of production. At Watches & Wonders 2026 came the successor 126688 — 18k yellow gold, new Cal. 4162, but without the Ring Command bezel. Anyone wanting the mechanical regatta function in solid gold now has to turn to the pre-owned market. Phase 1 examples with baton hands and Cal. 4160 are already attracting targeted demand there.
Brand profile: Rolex
Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world. Super-clones (VSF, ARF, Clean — the latter inactive since the 07/2025 raid, with only old stock still circulating) reach 95%+ similarity. Authenticity can almost always only be identified through micro-details and caliber behavior.
- Case back: ALWAYS solid and closed — any display window means it's definitely fake (exception: vintage Ref. 6085 only)
- Minute hand length: genuine Rolex minute hands end EXACTLY at the minute chapter ring. 1 mm too long = fake. The strongest VSF tell.
- Seconds hand: smooth sweep without any hesitation — the slightest tick-tock motion means it's fake
- Cyclops lens (on Date models): must magnify exactly 2.5×, with the date filling almost the entire window
Serial number format: Since 2010, a random alphanumeric combination (e.g. 'G3M9K721'). 2000-2010: a letter plus 6-7 digits. Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 o'clock (from ~2005). Older models: between the lug shoulders at 6 o'clock on the case.
Further sources
Buying guide: Rolex Yacht-Master II
What drives the price here
At $55,663 the watch sells well if the condition is right. A market rule of thumb: a complete set with box, papers and warranty card brings 10 to 15 percent more than the bare watch. Buying without papers can pay off, but you take the same discount again later when you resell.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 99.7 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Rolex Yacht-Master II reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Yacht-Master II.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
Check the market value live now
Interactive price analysis with momentum indicator and buy/sell signal.
Go to the market value tool →Auction results Rolex Yacht-Master II 116688
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $26,830 | Sotheby's | 12/2024 |
| $45,779 | Sotheby's | 10/2022 |
| $54,465 | Sotheby's | 09/2022 |
| $51,853 | Sotheby's | 03/2022 |
| $34,041 | Sotheby's | 09/2021 |