Rolex Yacht-Master II Resale Value 2026: Real Seller Prices

If you own a Rolex Yacht-Master II and you are thinking of selling in 2026, the market is not what it was three years ago. The first generation (references 116680, 116681, 116688 and 116689) was discontinued by Rolex in April 2024, and at Watches and Wonders 2026 Rolex reintroduced a redesigned Yacht-Master II with a slimmer case and a new caliber 4162. That reintroduction changed the resale conversation overnight.

The short version: discontinued 44mm YM II pieces have a floor, but they are not a rocket. The new 2026 model has pulled some attention away from the old case, and the buyer pool for a regatta chronograph is narrower than for a Submariner or a GMT. This post walks you through what your Yacht-Master II is actually worth right now, what real buyers (like us) pay, and the mistakes that cost sellers the most money.

What Yacht-Master II you actually have

Before we talk numbers, get your reference right. Look at the paper card or between the lugs at 12 o'clock. The 44mm YM II has four main first-generation references:

• 116680: Oystersteel, blue Cerachrom bezel, white dial. The most common, most liquid.
• 116681: Oystersteel and 18k Everose gold (two-tone), red Cerachrom bezel, white dial.
• 116688: Solid 18k yellow gold, blue Cerachrom bezel, white or Champagne dial.
• 116689: Solid 18k white gold, blue platinum bezel, white dial. Rarest of the four.

If you inherited the watch or bought it years ago and you cannot find the reference, message us the caseback and lug shots on WhatsApp and we will identify it in minutes. The reference decides everything downstream. Guessing your model costs sellers real money.

Yacht-Master II 2026 seller prices (what buyers actually pay)

These are the numbers we see in our own transactions and confirm against WatchCharts market data from July and August 2026. Seller price means what a specialized buyer pays you, not what a dealer lists it for on Chrono24 or Bob's Watches. Listings run 15-25% above real transaction prices, always have.

• 116680 Steel, full set, unpolished: $14,000 - $17,000
• 116680 Steel, watch only, honest wear: $12,500 - $14,500
• 116681 Two-tone Steel/Everose, full set: $16,000 - $21,000
• 116688 Yellow gold, full set: $38,000 - $48,000
• 116689 White gold platinum bezel, full set: $30,000 - $40,000

The steel 116680 is the reference most sellers own and is the easiest to move. It sits above its 2024 pre-discontinuation trading range but well below the peak the entire Rolex sports lineup hit in early 2022. If someone tells you your steel Yacht-Master II is worth $22,000, they are quoting a retail listing, not a real offer.

For pricing benchmarks on the base model, see our Rolex Yacht-Master resale value guide. The base 40mm YM and the 44mm YM II are different watches with different buyer bases, do not confuse them.

Why the Yacht-Master II trades differently than the Submariner

This is where sellers get frustrated. You paid $18,750 retail for the steel 116680 in 2018 and expected it to appreciate like a Submariner did. It did not, and here is why.

1. Narrower buyer pool. The YM II is a 44mm regatta chronograph with a countdown-timer function nobody uses on land. It sells to sailors, to collectors of "complete Rolex lineups," and to buyers who specifically like the case size. That is a smaller audience than the Submariner has.

2. Weight and wrist presence. 44mm plus a chunky bezel. Some buyers try one on and immediately hand it back. That kills a percentage of walk-in demand at any dealer.

3. The 2026 replacement. Rolex reintroducing the model with a slimmer case and updated movement at Watches and Wonders 2026 gave collectors a reason to wait for the new one instead of chasing your discontinued piece.

4. It is not a "sleeper." People love to tell you a discontinued Rolex is a sleeper that will spike. Sometimes it happens (Milgauss did, briefly). More often it does not. The YM II has been out for over a year and prices have stabilized, not exploded.

If you are looking for the broader Rolex market context around discontinuation and cycle timing, we cover it in best time to sell a Rolex.

5 mistakes that cost Yacht-Master II sellers money

Mistake 1: Polishing the case before selling. The YM II has flat, brushed surfaces on the case sides and lug tops. A local jeweler with a buffing wheel will round those edges and destroy 8-15% of the value in ten minutes. Do not polish. Ever. Same advice we give in why polished watches are worth less.

Mistake 2: Assuming Chrono24 listings are transaction prices. A dealer listing at $22,500 for a 116680 does not mean anyone paid $22,500. Aspirational listings sit for months. Real closing prices are 15-25% lower.

Mistake 3: Losing or throwing out the ceramic bezel bag. The Cerachrom bezel is durable, but chipping does happen. Full-set collectors want the original accessories, including the protective bezel pouch and the swim tag. Missing accessories drop the offer 3-5%.

Mistake 4: Selling to the first pawn shop offer. A pawn shop needs 25-40% margin to make the business work. Their offer on a $15,000 steel YM II is usually $9,000-$10,500. That is not what your watch is worth, that is what a pawn shop needs to profit. Send photos to 2-3 specialized buyers before you sign anything.

Mistake 5: Waiting for the "spike." If you needed the money six months ago, you needed it six months ago. Rolex discontinued values stabilize, they rarely spike after the first year. If your reason for selling is real (liquidity, upgrade, or you just do not wear it), sell now at a fair price instead of holding it for a mythical rally.

Documents and details that move your Yacht-Master II offer up

• Original box (green Rolex outer box and inner watch box): adds 3-6%
• Warranty card with matching serial: adds 4-8%
• Original bracelet with intact end links, no stretch: flat baseline, but stretch or aftermarket links drop 5-10%
• Recent Rolex Service Centre invoice (last 3 years): adds 2-4% and speeds the sale
• Booklets, hangtag, swim tag: small individually, together add 2-3%

If you do not have papers, do not panic. Read our full breakdown at sell Rolex without box and papers. We buy them without papers every week. The discount is usually 5-10%, not the 20% some dealers try to talk you into.

What we do differently at Throwin' Salt

At Throwin' Salt Co, we specialize in discontinued and current Rolex sport models, including the Yacht-Master II. We do not quote you a lowball number and then pressure you to accept. We quote based on real transaction data, our own network's current buy prices, and a fair operator margin.

• Free WhatsApp appraisal: send photos of the dial, caseback, bracelet, and papers. Firm offer usually within hours, always same business day.
• Same-day payment: bank wire, certified check or cash at pickup. Your call.
• No commissions, no fees, no consignment risk.
• Nationwide US coverage: we pick up in person in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other major markets, or we cover fully insured overnight shipping if you prefer.

If you are in another city, check the full list at where to sell your Rolex. We buy nationwide.

Quick self-check before you contact us

Before you send photos, look at your Yacht-Master II and answer these:

1. Reference number (four numeric digits after "REF" on the paper or between lugs at 12)
2. Serial number (between lugs at 6)
3. Original box and papers, yes or no
4. Recent service (with dated invoice, or unserviced)
5. Bracelet condition: any stretch, any missing links, any aftermarket parts
6. Honest condition notes: dial marks, hand lume, bezel chips, case scratches

With those six inputs we quote you a real number, not a range.

Bottom line on Yacht-Master II resale in 2026

Your Yacht-Master II is worth what a serious buyer pays you this week, not what someone lists on Chrono24 and hopes for. The discontinued first generation has a floor, the 2026 redesigned model changes the story going forward, and the steel 116680 remains the most liquid reference in the lineup. Get two or three real offers before you decide, keep your papers with the watch, and do not let anyone polish it.

Want a real 2026 number on your Yacht-Master II? Send photos on WhatsApp. Free, fast, no pressure, no obligation.