The 116680 reference marks this replica yacht-master 116680 as the regatta chronograph variant of the Yacht-Master family, sized at 44mm in Oystersteel. Unlike the time-and-date Yacht-Master models, the 116680 features a programmable countdown timer designed for yacht racing starts, with a mechanical memory that stores the countdown duration between uses. The blue ceramic bezel ring with raised numerals in platinum-coated relief sets this reference apart visually from every other watch in the collection. At 44mm this is the largest current production piece within the line.

Technical Overview

• Case diameter: 44mm
• Case material: Oystersteel
• Bezel: blue Cerachrom ceramic, 90-degree bidirectional rotating
• Dial: white lacquer with regatta countdown at 6 o’clock
• Crystal: sapphire with Cyclops magnification
• Bracelet: Oyster three-link with Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension
• Movement: automatic chronograph with regatta countdown
• Functions: regatta countdown, chronograph, date

The regatta countdown mechanism can be programmed in one-minute increments from 1 to 10 minutes. The triangular marker on the countdown disc rotates during the sequence, providing a visual cue as the start approaches.

Inside the Movement

The chronograph caliber inside the 116680 operates with a column-wheel switching mechanism for clean start-stop-reset action. The vertical clutch engagement means the chronograph seconds hand starts without the stutter that lateral-clutch designs can produce. The regatta function adds a second layer of timing complexity, with a programmable memory feature that retains your preferred countdown duration. For a simpler time-and-date Yacht-Master experience at 40mm, the 116621 chocolate dial version offers the rotatable bezel without the chronograph complication. Both models represent the Yacht-Master family, though they target very different use cases.

What Sets It Apart

The Yacht-Master II 116680 is the only regatta-specific chronograph in the current Rolex catalog. The 44mm case accommodates the additional movement complexity without sacrificing dial legibility, and the blue ceramic bezel provides a color accent that no other model in the range shares. Oystersteel construction keeps the weight manageable despite the larger case volume. The programmable countdown is a genuinely functional tool for anyone involved in sailing or racing, not just an aesthetic complication. For those seeking the most technically ambitious piece in the Yacht-Master lineup, this replica yacht-master 116680 delivers regatta timing capability in the largest case the collection offers.