Rolex Yacht-Master II Watches
Big Watch Buyers offers a curated selection of authenticated, pre-owned Rolex Yacht-Master II timepieces in the New York Diamond District. Browse our full Rolex collection or explore the Yacht-Master II lineup below.
The Regatta Timer: A Complication Nobody Asked For — and Nobody Can Replicate
The Yacht-Master II is the strangest watch in the Rolex catalog, and the most technically ambitious. Its primary complication is a programmable countdown timer with a flyback function — designed for the 10-minute starting sequence of yacht racing. The sailor sets the countdown (anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes) using the Ring Command bezel, then starts the timer at the first gun. The flyback function allows the timer to be reset and restarted instantly at any point during the countdown — critical for the frantic final minutes before a race start, when the crew is adjusting position and the skipper needs to know exactly how many minutes and seconds remain. No other watch has this specific complication. It is a function that 99.9% of Yacht-Master II owners will never use — but it is the reason the watch exists, and it is the foundation of its identity.
The 10-Minute Countdown: How It Works
The countdown mechanism is integrated into caliber 4161 — a movement with 633 components, making it the most complex Rolex caliber ever produced. Here is how it operates:
The Ring Command bezel has four positions. In the setting position, the bezel unlocks the countdown programming. The sailor turns the crown to set the desired countdown duration (1–10 minutes). The countdown is displayed on the dial via a dedicated minute hand that sweeps backwards from the set time to zero. When the countdown reaches zero, the hand stops and the watch continues to display the current time on the main hands. The flyback pusher (the bottom pusher at 4 o'clock) resets the countdown to the programmed duration and restarts it immediately — no stop-reset-start sequence required. This flyback-reset-in-one-action is unique to the Yacht-Master II and is the mechanical achievement that justifies the movement's 633-component complexity.
The Yacht-Master II Lineup
Yacht-Master II Steel (Ref. 226659) The steel flagship. 44mm steel case with caliber 4161, blue Cerachrom bezel, and Oyster bracelet. The steel YMII is the most popular configuration and the one that delivers the full regatta-timer experience at the lowest price point. The blue bezel against the steel case is the most visually striking combination.
Yacht-Master II Steel/Everose (Ref. 226658) The warm alternative. 44mm steel-Everose case with caliber 4161, white Cerachrom bezel, and Oysterflex bracelet. The two-tone on Oysterflex is the more contemporary configuration — the rubber strap makes it lighter and more comfortable than the steel bracelet version.
Yacht-Master II Everose Gold (Ref. 226656) The full gold. 44mm Everose case with caliber 4161, pink Cerachrom bezel, and Oysterflex bracelet. The full Everose YMII is the most luxurious configuration and the one that best expresses the yacht-club aesthetic that the collection was designed to embody.
Pre-Owned Pricing Guide
| Model | Retail (approx.) | Pre-Owned Range | Premium/Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Blue (226659) | $18,900 | $11,000–$15,000 | -42 to -21% |
| Steel/Everose (226658) | $19,900 | $12,000–$16,000 | -40 to -20% |
| Everose Gold (226656) | $40,550 | $22,000–$30,000 | -46 to -26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Yacht-Master or Yacht-Master II?
A: The Yacht-Master is a luxury sport watch — 37–42mm, rotating bezel, time and date. The Yacht-Master II is a regatta chronograph — 44mm, countdown timer, no date. The Yacht-Master is the daily-wear luxury watch; the Yacht-Master II is the complicated tool watch. They share a name and a nautical theme, but they are fundamentally different watches.
Q: Is the regatta timer useful if I don't sail?
A: No — but the flyback countdown can be repurposed for any timed interval: parking meters, cooking, meetings, exercise intervals. The 1–10 minute programmable range covers most short-duration timing needs. The complication is overkill for daily use, but it works.
Q: Why does the YMII depreciate more than the Daytona?
A: Demand. The Daytona is the most desired chronograph in the world and trades above retail in steel. The Yacht-Master II is a niche complication in a large case that appeals to a smaller audience. The depreciation is your advantage — you are buying the most complex Rolex movement at a significant discount below retail.
Sell or Trade Your Yacht-Master II
Our specialists provide transparent valuations for every Yacht-Master II reference. We understand the nuances: metal configuration (steel is most liquid), bezel color, and the presence of the original box, warranty card, and hang tags. Compare with the standard Yacht-Master for simpler regatta timing. Walk into our 47th Street showroom for an immediate appraisal, or use our fully insured Parcel Pro shipping label for a remote evaluation with same-day payment.
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