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Rolex Yacht-Master II (Ref. 116680), 2020 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Rolex Yacht-Master II (Ref. 116680), 2020

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
2020
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 44 mm
Stock no.
Product 8315415953591
Credit line
Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8315415953591)
Catalogue title (original)
2020 Rolex Yacht-Master II - Box and Papers (Ref. 116680) (English)

Editor's note

The dealer's brand field named another maker; the dealer's own listing title identifies the watch as Rolex.

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8315415953591), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated 2020. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 44 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Huntington Company

History and Significance The Yacht-Master II represents one of Rolex’s most technically ambitious modern sports watches. Introduced in 2007, it was the first Rolex developed specifically for competitive sailing, built around a programmable mechanical countdown timer designed for regatta starts. Unlike simple chronograph countdowns, the Yacht-Master II uses the in-house caliber 4161 with a memory function that allows the wearer to reset and synchronize the countdown to the official race start on the fly. The ref. 116680 pairs this complex movement with a stainless steel case and a blue Cerachrom bezel, creating a look that is bold but unmistakably Rolex. The large 44 mm case was intentional, ensuring legibility and ease of use during racing conditions. Over time, the Yacht-Master II has become appreciated not just for its sailing roots, but as a statement piece showcasing Rolex’s engineering capabilities beyond traditional dive or GMT watches. Writer's Thoughts This is a watch that wears with presence and purpose. The oversized case and vibrant blue bezel give it strong wrist impact, while the mechanical complexity under the hood makes it far more interesting than it first appears. For collectors who appreciate modern Rolex with real technical substance, the Yacht-Master II stands in a category of its own. Our Promise Every watch is carefully inspected, fully vetted, and described with full transparency. This Rolex is guaranteed authentic and comes backed by our commitment to honesty, quality, and trust. Specifications Brand: Rolex Model: Yacht-Master II Reference: ref. 116680 Year: 2020 Case Material: Stainless steel Case Size: 44 mm Bezel: Blue programmable regatta countdown Dial: White Crystal: Sapphire Movement: Automatic regatta chronograph Strap: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet Buckle/Clasp: Folding Oysterlock clasp Contents: Box and papers Condition Case: Stainless steel case shows visible surface wear consistent with use, including scratches and handling marks. Case proportions remain strong. Bezel: Blue bezel is intact with clear numerals and no cracks or chips. Crystal: Sapphire crystal is clean with no visible chips or cracks. Dial: White dial is clean with crisp printing and well-preserved markers. Hands: Original hands with matching lume, showing no corrosion. Bracelet: Oyster bracelet shows noticeable surface wear and scratching from regular use, with almost no stretch. Buckle/Clasp: The Rolex clasp shows noticeable wear but functions properly.

Historical context

Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)

Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.

Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Mechanical Renaissance

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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