# Rolex Yacht-Master II Mercedes 44mm Steel Oyster Review by A.I. WatchMetrics

## Watch Summary
The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116681 is a bold 44mm sports luxury regatta chronograph in Oystersteel with platinum accents, featuring the signature Mercedes hands, a programmable mechanical countdown timer via innovative Ring Command bezel, and a striking rhodium dial tailored for yacht racing enthusiasts and serious collectors who demand precision timing in a robust, versatile package powered by the in-house automatic Calibre 4161 with 72-hour power reserve.

## Overall Watch Rating: 9.4/10.0

**Movement Metric (9.9/10.0)** - The Calibre 4161 delivers column-wheel chronograph excellence with flyback, 72-hour reserve, and Superlative Chronometer precision, surpassing most competitors like Omega's Co-Axial chronos.
**Dials & Design Metric (9.7/10.0)** - Iconic Mercedes hands, Chromalight lume, and raised platinum bezel numerals create a legible, purposeful aesthetic benchmarked against the best tool-sports designs like the Submariner.
**Material Metric (9.7/10.0)** - Premium Oystersteel construction with sapphire crystal and meticulously brushed/polished platinum bezel rivals the durability and finishing of top-tier divers like the Sea-Dweller.
**Brand Metric (9.5/10.0)** - Rolex's unmatched heritage and global prestige position it as a cornerstone of luxury, akin to Audemars Piguet's enduring appeal.
**History & Innovation Metric (9.4/10.0)** - Revolutionary regatta timer builds on Rolex's yachting legacy, outshining historical complications from brands like Breitling's Navitimer.
**Complications Metric (9.4/10.0)** - The mechanical memory countdown and flyback chronograph offer unmatched yacht-racing utility, exceeding standard chronos in watches like the Daytona.
**Rarity Metric (9.0/10.0)** - At its price point and limited production run, it holds scarcity comparable to discontinued Rolex sports models on the secondary market.
**Functions Metric (8.9/10.0)** - Robust hours, minutes, seconds, and regatta chronograph suite provides more specialized utility than typical three-handers like the Datejust.
**Versatility Metric (8.8/10.0)** - Transitions seamlessly from yacht deck to boardroom, more adaptable than pure divers like the Omega Seamaster.

## Total Performance Score (TPS): 9.2

## WM Collector Grade: A+

## Performance Insights: Excels in movement, complications, and materials for superior engineering at its tier, delivering strong value well below the implied price of $42,500.

## TPS Interpretation: Exceptional Value: The watch outperforms expectations with innovative complications and build quality far exceeding its market positioning.

## Watch Data
[https://www.rolex.com/content/dam/rolex/catalog/2021/watches/yacht-master-ii/m116681-78590.jpg.assetblocks/image.1920x0.jpg] - [Front image of Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681 rhodium dial]; [https://www.chrono24img.com/images/uhren/rolex-yacht-master-ii-116681-2023-oystersteel-uhrwerk.jpg] - [Caseback showing Calibre 4161]; [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rolex-yacht-master-ii-116681-lume.jpg] - [Lume on hands and markers]; [Yacht-Master II Regatta Mercedes] - [Rolex Yacht-Master II 44mm Steel Oyster with Mercedes hands]; [Rolex] - [Rolex]; [Yacht-Master II] - [Yacht-Master II]; [Switzerland] - [Switzerland]; [https://www.rolex.com/watches/yacht-master/yacht-master-ii/m116681-78590.html] - [https://www.rolex.com/watches/yacht-master/yacht-master-ii/m116681-78590.html]; [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-rolex-yachtmaster-ii-reference-116681] - [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-rolex-yachtmaster-ii-reference-116681]; [Automatic] - [Automatic]; [Calibre 4161] - [Calibre 4161]; [# Secondary] - [27650]; [44mm Oystersteel Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph with platinum bezel, Ring Command system, and Mercedes hands on Oyster bracelet] - [The ultimate tool watch for yacht racing featuring a programmable 1-10 minute countdown timer with mechanical memory, flyback chronograph, and bidirectional rotatable bezel.]; [44] - [44]; [52] - [52]; [12.8] - [12.8]; [26] - [26]; [100] - [100]; [72] - [72]; [28800] - [28800]; [Chromalight] - [Chromalight]; [72] - [72]; [Oystersteel] - [Oystersteel]; [Sapphire] - [Sapphire]; [Platinum bidirectional rotatable with raised numerals] - [Platinum bidirectional rotatable with raised numerals]; [Solid] - [Solid]; [Triplock screw-down] - [Triplock screw-down]; [Oyster Oystersteel] - [Oyster Oystersteel]; [Round] - [Round]; [Rhodium] - [Rhodium]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [9.2] - [9.2]; [A+] - [A+]; [42500] - [42500];

**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**