yacht master ii water resistance

THE COLLECTIVE

European Watch Company – Est. 1993

Almost Obscure: The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689

Published by mike razak.

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Rolex does not simply release watches on a whim. New models are rare, and updates to existing models are often minor, sometimes not even warranting an announcement. Regardless of timing or subtlety, everything The Crown does is met with scrutiny and drama. So, too, it was when the Yacht-Master II was released in 2007. The watch was met with mixed reactions: With an obscure complication that no one really asked for and the largest case in Rolex’s catalog, some thought it sullied the robust elegance of its forebear. Others rightfully praised its technical innovations. Fast forward more than a decade and the model seems to have won out: the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 seen here (and its sister references) remains in the Rolex catalog and is a favorite among those seeking a Rolex with a bit more panache and functionality than the standard Submariner.

When the original Yacht-Master was introduced in 1992, it was Rolex’s first entirely new model since the Sea-Dweller in 1967. The watch was an immediate hit with the seagoing elite, and has remained incredibly popular, with a variety of colorways and sizes released to satisfy demand.  Then, in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was released. Rolex spent over 35,000 hours designing the movement for the watch, which was designed to aid skippers in tracking the starting sequence of a regatta, including a novel integrated bezel and programmable countdown timer with memory function. Two models were part of the original release: the 116688 in solid 18kt gold with a blue ceramic bezel and the 116689 in 18kt white gold with an embossed platinum bezel.  

Design Details

At 44mm wide and 14mm thick, the Yacht-Master II features the largest production case Rolex offers. Despite its size, the watch is good to just 100m of water resistance—certainly sufficient for most aquatic adventures, but a subtle hint that Yacht-Master II is aimed at those who plan to remain aboard. The solid 18k white gold case and bracelet of the 116689 remain classic Rolex: polished throughout, with gentle curves, it gives way to the dual-finished Oyster bracelet, which features an Oysterlock clasp and Easylink 5mm extension for fine-tuned sizing. The patented Triplock crown and its guards maintain the aesthetic, with ringed chronograph pushers at its flanks. A white gold bezel—dubbed the Ring Command bezel for its added functionality—features a frosted platinum insert with embossed, polished numerals and model name. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal. 

Despite the watch’s functionality, Rolex has kept things extremely legible with a clean white dial. Square hour markers are applied and filled with the brand’s proprietary Chromalight lume. At 9 o’clock, the Crown logo is accompanied by the traditional Rolex dial text. At 6 o’clock, a running seconds subdial features a radial finished ring. The hands are all blued, with the hour and minute featuring lume; the minute hand has a cutout to allow for better timing legibility. In a large arc bounded by bright blue, the 10-minute regatta scale lines up perfectly with both the applied markers and the bezel. The countdown time is displayed by a bright red chronograph sweep hand and a lumed triangle minute hand.

To set the countdown timer, turn the Ring Command bezel 90 degrees counterclockwise, press the 4 o’clock pusher, and use the crown to set the desired interval (the triangle hand will snap back to 0 if pushed past 10). After rotating the bezel back, the watch’s pushers operate similarly to a normal chronograph. But Rolex has added two unique functions. When the timer is set, the initial countdown time is memorized: if the countdown is 7 minutes and needs to be restarted, stopping and resetting the timer will return it to 7 minutes. Equally impressive, the watch can be resynchronized to the official race countdown if necessary: pressing the reset pusher without stopping the timer will jump the timing hand to the nearest minute. 

Inner Workings

Powering the Rolex Yacht-Master II is the automatic Rolex 4161 caliber, based on the 4130 chronograph movement (seen in the Daytona). Comprising over 360 components, including 44 jewels, the movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a robust 72 hours of power (a number of the constituent parts are so small, they require specialized micromanufacturing mastered in-house by Rolex). The watch is further equipped with Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock system, together delivering exceptional antimagnetism and shock resistance. As with all modern Rolex movements, the 4161 is certified to their Superlative Chronometer standards, accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day. 

Instead of the traditional chronograph functions of its base movement, the 4161 has been retooled to allow for use as a countdown timer. In conjunction with a vertical clutch, a column wheel extends through the main plate, allowing for the programmable countdown. Additional reworking has added instantaneous re-synchronization functionality and countdown memory; and as discussed above, the bezel is coupled to the movement to allow its use as a locking mechanism for the timer (though considering the bezel part of the movement might be a stretch). All of these decidedly niche features make for one of the most complicated Rolex calibers ever made. 

Versus the Competition

Watches and regattas have been linked for quite some time, and indeed many brands sponsor teams, races, or entire series. Omega and TAG Heuer have both released limited edition America’s Cup watches featuring countdown mechanisms. Panerai makes the Luminor 1950 Regatta Chrono Flyback and Ulysse Nardin has its Marine Regatta model. Of course, sometimes only a Rolex will do, in which case one can opt for the timing function of the Daytona, the Ring Command bezel of the Sky-Dweller, or the nouveau riche appeal of the original Yacht-Master. 

Personality

While the original Yacht-Master appealed to the owners of superyachts by providing a higher-end alternative to the Submariner, the Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 builds on that appeal with the added bona fides of regatta timing functionalities. In the white gold execution, it’s perhaps best suited to the sailing enthusiast with who enjoys the occasional regatta and may even partake in one from time to time, but also likes a splash of luxury on the wrist and isn’t afraid to let others know.  

Final Thoughts

Be it as it may an undeniable piece of luxury sailing kit, the Yacht-Master II does what only a few Rolexes do: provides both the exceptional quality the brand is known for and unique functionality. For that alone, the model is well worth a look.

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Are Rolex Watches Waterproof? – A Historical Evolution and Utility Guide

Rolex watches have come to represent a coupling of luxury and technological innovation. Rather than having to delicately handle and only occasionally wear a Rolex watch, Rolex has designed their product to be strong and durable, while maintaining that level of luxury that has come to be expected. Perhaps more than anything else, the unassailable reputation of Rolex watches rests on their ability to withstand the extremes. The brand’s products have truly been to the highest, lowest, hottest, and coldest places on Earth, handling with ease the most hostile environments the planet can offer. And key to much of their success can be attributed to an invention dreamt up all the way back in 1926: the Oyster case.

This relatively simple innovation, one which has gone largely unchanged for the last 90+ years, did more than anything before or since to popularize the wristwatch. Beyond even that though, it has also formed the backbone for almost everything Rolex has created since – and solved one of the main problems facing any mechanical watchmaker: water resistance.

The Waterproof Oyster Case

Before the Oyster case’s introduction, pocket watches were very much the only timepiece men used. Not so much for their practicality, but for the level of protection they afforded. Dirt, dust and moisture have always been among the biggest enemies of watch movements, and so keeping a pocket watch tucked away inside the wearer’s clothing when not in use helped safeguard its delicate internal components.

However, the usefulness of a model that could be worn on the arm was established during wartime, but the first examples proved relatively fragile. They were far more exposed to the elements than pocket watches and the earliest pieces allowed too much everyday detritus to enter the case and damage the caliber.

With the arrival of the Oyster, the brainchild of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, all of that was to change. Not only did the system of screwing the bezel, case back and crown against the middle case form an impenetrable barrier against the usual debris, it was so effective that it also provided a level of waterproofing never seen before.

Not one to shy away from promotion and advertising, Wilsdorf capitalized on this aspect of his timepieces in a series of marketing stunts. The most famous remains persuading a young British swimmer, Mercedes Gleitze to wear one of his Oyster models on a lanyard around her neck as she attempted to be the first person to swim across the English Channel in 1927. After 10-hours of being submerged in the icy waters, the watch came up still ticking.

The basic formula has been built upon and updated over the subsequent generations, until we reach today’s situation where all but the Cellini range of dress models in Rolex’s catalog benefit from at least 100m of water resistance. It all perfectly encapsulates the company’s original adage of building watches which are at once exceptionally handsome and stylish yet still resilient enough to be worn everyday.

Will any of these models ever be taken to 100m underwater? No, but a high water resistance factor isn’t just an indication of how deep a watch can be submerged, but is a testament to the robustness of the engineering as a whole. It is to demonstrate the prowess behind the manufacturing and give the wearer the peace of mind that they are unlikely to encounter anything that will seriously test the integrity of their watch.

Waterproof or Water Resistant?

If you research enough into the finer workings of mechanical watches, and particularly if you are interested in dive models, you will come across the terms ‘waterproof’ and ‘water resistant’ used interchangeably. They are not, however, the same thing.

Calling a watch waterproof suggests that it can never allow water to seep inside under any circumstances. This is, of course, impossible to claim. If you leave anything immersed long enough, it eventually will become compromised.

All watches are made up of a number of parts that have to fit together. Wherever those components meet becomes a potential weak spot that can hypothetically allow moisture to intrude, be it the sapphire crystal, the case back or especially the winding crown.

For that reason, the word ‘waterproof’ was banned by the FTC in the 1960s where it applied to watches and was replaced with the more accurate ‘water resistant.’

So what’s the difference?

Simply put, water resistant watches carry a rating which essentially certifies to what depth they will keep the water out, under ideal conditions. Every one of Rolex’s Oyster models is water resistant to at least 100m. The brand’s trio of dive watches – the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea improve upon that considerably, coming in at 300m, 1,220m and 3,900m respectively.

So, true waterproofness can’t be guaranteed but, in the case of Rolex, it is worth noting that in 2014, one hapless vacationer lost his Submariner to the frigid Pacific Ocean during a fishing trip off the coast of British Columbia. It was found by a dredging company 14-months later, having lain at a depth of 100m all that time. A few turns of the crown (and removal of the barnacle from its bezel) and the watch started ticking away again.

No watch can truly be considered waterproof, but a Rolex dive watch comes about as close as anyone can realistically expect.

The Different Water Resistance Scales

Depending on the manufacturer, you will see a watch’s water resistance noted in one of three ways.

Meters is the most common, usually denoted by the letter ‘M’ in either lower or upper case and obviously relating to the actual depth the watch can be taken. This is the system you will see on Rolex models, with the corresponding depth in feet next to it. So 100m equals 330ft.

ATM stands for ‘atmospheres’ and is a unit of pressure. 1 ATM is, as near as makes no difference, the same pressure as would be experienced at 10m. 10 ATM is the same as 100m, or 330ft.

Bar is another widely used measurement of pressure, only rarely seen on watches but fairly common when talking about filling Scuba tanks. 1 Bar is more or less the same as 1 ATM.

What Does Each Water Resistant Rating Mean?

If you are interested in diving as a sport you might sometimes wonder why a watch needs to be water resistant to 100m, let alone the fearsome ratings that the likes of the Rolex Sea-Dweller or Deepsea carry.

The maximum depth recommended by most organizations for recreational Scuba is less than 40m when diving with air, and even the current world record is standing at a little over 300m. So, very few people are going to be able or qualified to take any Rolex watch past its indicated rating in theory. But again, it is all about pressure. If you were to somehow dive to 100m and experience some further increase in pressure, there is a chance that water would likely breach the case and cause damage.

All watches are originally certified under strict laboratory conditions, using static (i.e. not moving) pressure and they are brand-new at the time of testing. Real world conditions can vary from a laboratory environment, and as components age (particularly gaskets) water resistance can become compromised. So what activities can you do wearing watches with the various depth ratings their manufacturers issue?

The 5 Most Common Water Resistance Ratings

Most watch manufacturers stick to the same five water resistance ratings, although you will sometimes see other values listed for certain models. With that in mind, here are the most common depth ratings that you are likely to en counter.

30m (100ft, 3 Bar, 3 ATM)

The lowest depth rating and the one you would expect every watch to have. It should be able to withstand the rain and standard hand-washing, but not much beyond that. Incidental contact with moisture is fine, but it is not advisable to take a watch with a 30m water-resistance rating swimming.

50m (165ft, 5 Bar, 5 ATM)

Still a very low resistance, but you should be okay for swimming if not too vigorous. Avoid any kind of high-impact water-sports, such as jet skiing or just diving into the pool. While a watch with a 50m depth rating should be fine for light swimming, it is not suitable for Scuba.

100m (330ft, 10 Bar, 10 ATM)

A good level of resilience which will keep the watch protected in virtually all everyday situations. Fine for swimming and snorkeling, but still not ideal for anything with dynamic pressure changes like high board diving or Scuba. While a watch with a 100m water-resistance rating can be used for Scuba diving (assuming it has fresh gaskets), most watches that were designed for Scuba will offer higher depth ratings.

200m (660ft, 20 Bar, 20 ATM)

The minimum level required for Scuba diving. A watch with a 200m depth rating is more than protected against day-to-day moisture contact, and in addition to Scuba, watches with 200m water-resistance ratings can also be worn during high-impact water-sports.

300m and above (1,000ft, 30 Bar, 30 ATM)

Any watch with 300m or more of water resistance can be worn for all water-sports as well as deeper and more prolonged diving activities. With the exception of saturation diving – an elite and highly specialized form of commercial diving where divers spend prolonged period in dry chambers, breathing different gas mixtures – a 300m depth rating is more than adequate for professional Scuba diving.

Rolex Watches and Their Water Resistance Rating

So, if those are the grades, how does the Rolex catalog measure up?

Below, we list each collection and their water resistance.

Rolex Cellini

Rolex’s family of out-and-out dress watches.

Case Size: 39mm.

Materials: Available only in 18k gold

Water Resistance: 50m

Click here to learn more about the history of the Rolex Cellini.

Rolex Datejust

Rolex’s bestselling model of all time and the perfect everyday watch.

Case Size: 28mm (Lady-Datejust), 31mm, 36mm, and 41mm.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel, Rolesor (two-tone), or 18k gold

Water Resistance: 100m/330ft

Click here to for the full history of the Rolex Datejust.

Rolex Day-Date

Sometimes known as the President or Presidential, the Day-Date remains Rolex’s flagship creation.

Case Size : 36mm, 40mm.

Materials: Available in 18k gold or platinum

Click here to discover the nicknames and defining elements of the Rolex Day-Date.

Rolex Sky-Dweller

Rolex’s most recent new arrival and their first annual calendar-equipped watch.

Case Size: 42mm.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel (with white gold bezel), Rolesor (two-tone), or 18k gold

Click here to learn how to set the annual calendar on the Rolex Sky-Dweller.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Rolex’s least expensive and most straightforward range of watches.

Case Size: 26mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, 39mm.

Materials : Available in Oystersteel only

Click here to learn more about the Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

Rolex Air-King

A simple, time-only model that can trace its roots back to the Second World War.

Case Size: 40mm.

Click here for the complete history of the Rolex Air-King.

Rolex Milgauss

The scientists’ watch, a model originally developed to resist strong magnetic fields.

Click here for the full history of the Rolex Milgauss.

Rolex Explorer

Rolex’s first sports watch, the Explorer was created to celebrate the first successful ascent of Everest.

Click here for the top 3 things to know before buying a Rolex Explorer.

Rolex Explorer II

A handsome dual time zone watch, the Explorer II is worn by many of the world’s adventurers.

Click here to learn the difference between the original Explorer and the Rolex Explorer II.

Rolex Yacht-Master*

A lavish, nautically-flavored watch, the Yacht-Master is a more luxurious take on the Submariner

Case Size : 37mm, 40mm, 42mm.

Materials: Available in Rolesium (steel and platinum), Rolesor (two-tone), and 18k gold.

Water Resistance: 100m/ 330ft

Click here for the full history of the Rolex Yacht-Master.

Rolex Yacht-Master II*

A highly advanced model built for regattas, the Yacht-Master II features a programmable countdown timer.

Case Size: 44mm.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel, Rolesor (two-tone), white gold (with platinum bezel) and 18k yellow gold

Click here to learn how to set the regatta timer on the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Rolex GMT-Master II*

The legendary GMT watch and one of the most highly sought after models in the brand’s contemporary collection.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel, Rolesor (two-tone), and 18k gold

Click here for the complete history of the Rolex GMT-Master.

Rolex Daytona*

Built for the world of racing and quite possibly the most famous chronograph watch ever made.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel, Rolesor (two-tone), 18k gold, and platinum

Click here to learn more about the history of the Rolex Daytona.

Rolex Submariner*

The first dive watch to be water resistant to 100m and an icon against which all others are measured.

Water Resistance: 300m/1,000ft

Click here for the full history of the Rolex Submariner.

Rolex Sea-Dweller*

Featuring a helium escape valve and built to withstand the crushing depths of saturation divers.

Case Size: 43mm.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel and Rolesor (two-tone)

Water Resistance: 1,220/4,000ft

Click here to learn more about the very first Rolex Sea-Dweller.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller*

Basically bombproof, the Deepsea is Rolex’s most imposing watch and one which could survive just about anything.

Materials: Available in Oystersteel only

Water Resistance: 3,900m/12,800ft

Click here to learn more about the difference between the standard Sea-Dweller and the Rolex Deepsea.

A Quick Look at Crowns

Vital to the success of the Rolex Oyster case and its ability to keep water away from the watch’s internal parts is the security of the winding crown. Traditionally, the crown has always been the ‘Achilles Heel’ of watch design, an easy point of entry for moisture and all sorts of other junk you don’t want anywhere near a delicate movement.

The early examples of the Oyster case featured a patented screw down winding crown arrangement, fitted with a metal gasket that fastened securely into a tube in the center watch case to form a watertight seal. When the first Submariner was made in 1953, that system had to be bolstered to withstand the extra pressures, and so Rolex devised the Twinlock crown, with a second gasket system inside the tube to create two sealed zones. The O-rings were also made from a synthetic material to form a stronger barrier.

In 1970, with the introduction of the Sea-Dweller, Rolex beefed up their winding crowns again and brought out the Triplock, with its (you guessed it) a new gasket arrangement that created three sealed zones to prevent moisture ingress. This time, two are in the case tube and the third remains under the crown itself.

As you might imagine, Rolex’s trio of dedicated divers use the Triplock crown to ensure their incredible water resistance, but a number of other watches in the catalog do as well. The watches from our list above shown with an *asterisk (the two Yacht-Masters, the GMT-Master II, and the Daytona) are all fitted with a Triplock crown, while still only being rated to 100m. In their case, the decision to include Triplock crowns could be partially due an aesthetic choice. The Triplock crown is bigger than the Twinlock and is more in proportion with the rest of the piece.

What Can Impact Water Resistance?

As we have stressed, your watch’s water resistance rating applies only under certain conditions. You can think of it as the fuel economy figures car manufacturers quote on their brand new models. They will have been tested in tightly controlled environments to ensure their maximum gas mileage, something it is very difficult to replicate in everyday life.

It is the same with watches, and many of the things that affect a car’s performance apply here too. Below, we outline what factors can reduce the effective water resistance.

Again going back to our car analogy, you wouldn’t expect a 10 or 20-year old model to return the same mileage as one just off the line. In the case of a vintage watch, it is usually safer (and cheaper) to assume they no longer hold the same sort of water resistance as they did when they were new.

Over time, their seals and gaskets lose their pliability and so their ability to form a tight seal. That’s why it is vital to have any watch, and particularly older models, serviced regularly – and we will cover that more in-depth in a minute.

Tempting though it may be, wearing your Rolex in the shower or hot tub is not advisable. Obviously its not the depth here that’s the problem, but rather the heat. Extreme temperature inversion, as you would experience walking into a sauna or jumping into a Jacuzzi, can hasten the deterioration of your watch’s seals.

Although Rolex use high tech fluoropolymers for their gaskets, which are especially resistant to corrosion and chemicals, as well as heat and cold, no material can be 100% guaranteed not to degrade or lose its shape eventually. Additionally, soap suds can also reduce the surface tension of the seals, and can also potentially damage the exterior finish of the watch too.

Aftermarket Parts and Accessories

This one really stands to reason. The Rolex manufacturing facilities are among the most cutting-edge industrial plants in the world, with countless millions of Swiss Francs poured into making sure every component made there is perfect. And, crucially, fits together with all the other parts to within tolerances measured in microns.

It is only this attention to detail, along with the extreme testing each watch is subjected to that allows the brand to make their claims about their performance. When you start replacing various elements of a Rolex with third party or aftermarket alternatives, there is a real risk of reducing the watch’s water resistance.

Possibly the most common cause for a Rolex getting water damage is forgetting to screw the crown back in after winding or setting the watch – and unfortunately it is something easily done. Any horology nerd who tells you they haven’t been guilty of it at least once is probably lying.

If you’re lucky, you’ll notice before any damage is done, and with the Twinlock and Triplock systems, Rolex watches are theoretically water resistant even with the crown left out. However, combine an unscrewed crown with any of the other factors such as old seals, those affected by heat, or even just incidental motion of the open crown, and it is a recipe for disaster. This is just one of those things you will have to train your brain to remember, hopefully before you land yourself with a hefty repair bill.

 Servicing

The number one best way to safeguard your watch’s water resistance will always be to stick to a regular servicing schedule. So, how regular is regular? That depends.

Since 2015, Rolex recommends 10-years between maintenance appointments, which is a massive gap and the longest in the industry. It is testament to just how confident the brand is in their engineering. Each new watch also gets a five-year warranty from date of purchase when it is first sold, but this does exclude user error.

It pays to remember the warranty applies to what Rolex calls ‘real life’ usage. If you subject the watch to an especially hard time, and particularly if it gets heavily knocked (something which can damage an internal gasket with no outward sign), then upping the frequency of service inspections is very much encouraged. Additionally, older watches can require more looking after. Vintage pieces will benefit from a service at least every five to seven years.

Whatever the age of your model, it is worthwhile having it at least pressure checked every year. This is a simple and inexpensive service most repair facilities offer, which will test the integrity of the watch’s seals so that you can replace any that are necessary.

Water Got Into My Rolex. What Should I Do?

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how careful you are, the horology gods aren’t smiling on you and the worst can happen. If you get water inside your watch, it is likely the first you will know about it will be a slight condensation or fogging of the crystal. There might be other clues as well, such as the luminescence losing its glow or the hands stuttering or stopping entirely.

Once you’ve noticed any of these signs, time is of the essence. Salt water corrodes faster than fresh water, but whichever has found its way inside, it has the potential to do some real harm if not taken care of quickly. A watch caliber is made up of some extremely delicate parts and even the tiniest hint of rust caused by water damage will render them pretty well unserviceable.

What you do next depends on how long you think the water has been inside and how much there might be. If you believe it is just a small amount and it has only been there for a short time (say, a day or two) you may get away with trying to dry the watch out yourself. Leave it face up in a warm place; not too hot, as that can cause more problems. Alternatively, you could submerge the watch in some kind of desiccant, such as dry, uncooked rice or pure silica gel cat litter (preferably unused). These could well help to wick the moisture away from the most susceptible components, but this also does run the risk of getting debris into the movement if you are not careful.

All of that being said, we would always advocate a trip to your local watchmaker as soon as possible, regardless of how bad you think the water ingress might be. From the outside, it is impossible to tell just how much has infiltrated the case. Getting your piece to a service center as soon as possible could well be the difference between having to stump up for a once-over and a few replacement gears, or being served with a huge repair bill.

A professional watchmaker will be able to strip your model down, dry out and clean each part – of which there are likely to be at least 100 – and then properly reassemble it. While it won’t be the cheapest day out, it can be a small price to pay to go home with a working Rolex.

Final Notes on Water Resistance and Rolex Watches

For many people, Rolex really is the last word in watches designed to stand up to anything. That prominence hasn’t come about by chance, but rather as the end result of more than a century of tireless innovation, research and testing. Within the luxury mechanical watch sector, you will be hard pressed to find any other brand that can compete with Rolex, especially in terms of water resistance.

As we’ve seen, a water resistant watch isn’t ‘waterproof’ in much the same way that stainless steel isn’t stain proof. Not looked after properly, moisture or dirt will be able to get inside your Rolex regardless, and this is specially true if you neglect routine maintenance long beyond your watch’s recommended service interval.

However, thanks to the brand’s reputation for over engineering, along with generations spent perfecting manufacturing techniques, Rolex watches still make the ideal lifelong companion in just about any environment.

One of these technological innovations is a high resistance to water pressure. Through years of tried and tested models, Rolex is able to claim that all of their watches are waterproof, up to a certain amount of water pressure. Some are specially designed to be used by deep sea divers and can remain water resistant up to 1000 meters (3,281 ft). Despite this amazing feat, Rolex continues to develop new technologies and improve their watch’s water and pressure resistance. On 26 March 2012, the DSV Deepsea Challenger carried a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller Deepsea Challenge prototype diving watch to a depth of 10,898.4 meters (35,756 ft). The watch resisted the water pressure and continued to perform with Rolex’s distinct precision. This is the deepest ocean depth anyone has explored, and a Rolex was there. However, the majority of Rolex watches can only maintain water resistance up to 300 meters.

How does this amazing technology work? Rolex’s patented Oyster case is one of the most famous features of Rolex watches. Invented by Rolex in 1926, the Oyster case is the world’s first waterproof case for a wristwatch. It works by utilizing a system of screwing down the bezel, case back and winding crown against the middle case. This forms a completely closed and impenetrable case, resembling that of an Oyster shell. This impenetrable case provides a safe and dry environment for Rolex’s high-precision Perpetual movement, keeping out an assortment of elements from water to dust to pressure.

While it may be water-resistant, there are still many watery places a Rolex watch should not go. For example, hot tubs and showers are tempting places to take a Rolex, as they are not deep, thus offer not threat to the watch. However, the heat of the water in a hot tub or shower could cause major damage to the watch. Rather than worrying about water penetrating the case, one should be concerned about a gasket losing its shape, thus allowing water to enter the watch. Soap-suds can also cause damage, reducing the surface tension of the rubber gaskets in the watch, allows water to get in. Soap could also potentially harm the exterior finish of the watch. Thus, wearing of a Rolex in hot tubs and showers should be avoided. If a slight or moderate fog appears under the watch’s crystal, the interior of the watch has been penetrated. To hopefully stop the damage, pull the crown to stop the watch’s movement. As soon as possible, take the watch to a certified Rolex dealer for assessment.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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Rolex Yacht Master II Watches

Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 is precisely designed with oyestersteel stretching back to the family of 904L steel family for devious climates. The 44mm case material is inclusive of a new white dial enhancing legibility with Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor. This gleaming model has 4161 caliber, approximately 72 hours of power reserve and water resistance up to 100m or 330 feet. The Bidirectional rotatable Ring Command bezel adds to the perfection of the yacht master with the inclusion of Blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic and engraved numerals and inscription. The Yacht Master II has the folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink of 5 mm comfort extension link and providing the precision of -2 and +2 seconds a day.

New Rolex Yacht Master II Watches

Yacht-Master II Automatic White Dial 18k White Gold and Platinum Oyster Men's Watch

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Yacht-Master II Automatic White Dial Men's 18kt Yellow Gold Oyster Watch

Yacht-Master II (2017) 18K Everose Gold Automatic White Dial Oyster Bracelet Men's Watch

Yacht-Master II Automatic White Dial Men's Watch

Yacht-Master II 18K Everose Gold Automatic White Dial Oyster Bracelet Men's Watch

Yacht-Master 2

Yacht-Master 2 Yellow Gold

Yacht-Master II White Dial 18K White Gold Oyster Bracelet Automatic Men's Watch 116689WAO

Other types of Rolex

History of rolex yacht master ii watches.

Rolex is simply known for creating its classic and traditional timepiece. Although it is never the one to release a new watch each year, but whenever it introduces any new model, it is just indomitable. Thus with the introduction of the new Yacht Master II in 2010, the Rolex set its sail with success. A bit about its history; the Rolex Yacht Master II is a sports watch which was disclosed in 2007 but was first introduced in 2010. It is basically available in four models, and the first ones were the Rolex Yacht Master II Gold 116688 and Rolex Yacht Master II White Gold 116689. Later in the year 2011, the Rolex introduced the next model which was Rolex Yacht Master II Everose Gold 116681 and it was made from steel and Everose gold. And the last model is the 116680 which was released in the Baselworld 2013 and was made available for the first time in 904L steel, fitted with a cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic. Originally the watch was introduced with the 4160 calibre movement, but later with the launch of 2013 model which is the 116680, it updated to the 4161 calibre movement which was specifically designed for the Yacht Master 2. The common feature which distinguishes the Yacht Master II from the other models is its large case size of 44mm which has a commanding presence. Thus regardless of the metal variants which has been used in the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II, they all have the same case diameter of 44mm. It is known that it is most suitable for professional sailors because of its feature which is called a Regatta Timer. Now you may ponder what this Regatta Timer actually is? So a regatta timer is chiefly used by the skippers, that is, the master of the boat or the yacht and it is used to determine the exact time when their yacht is allowed to cross the starting line. As you might know that the boats can not just hover or stay put at the starting line, so in case you cross the line before the set time, you are given a penalty and if you are too watchful, you might lag behind, thus this is where the function of regatta timer is being used. So basically the racing committee of the yacht race sets a uniform countdown or "regatta" period during which the boats that are participating have to sail back and forth towards the starting line without crossing it. And this countdown can be set anywhere varying from five to ten minutes depending on the rules of the race. Thus a good watch with an accurate movement becomes essential here. The mechanism of the regatta is really simple. All one has to do is set the time of the countdown to the start, then push the trigger at two o'clock and it begins the countdown timer. And just in case the skipper pushed the trigger too early or too late in the beginning, he can wait for the second signal at a halftime, that is, at 5 minutes, and can re-adjust his timer by pushing the reset button which is at 4 o'clock. And finally, to calculate the exact timing, the remaining time can be read off second by second. Thus this watch is ideal for the sailors, plus the regatta function and the process are really simplified in the Yacht Master 2. Now coming to the four models which the Yacht Master II offers, as mentioned before they are available in four different metal options. Thus you can choose it according to its weights, which ranges from steel which is a bit heavy to gold/steel which becomes heavier, to solid yellow gold which is even heavier to the last which is made of platinum and white gold combined. The next feature is, of course, the water resistance, as it a mandatory element for any sailor's watch. So the Yacht Master II is an Oyster (naturally), which is the waterproof case and it comes with the brand's signature oyster bracelet as well. Next, the dial of the Yacht Master II is simply elegant and has been beautifully executed. It features an all-white lacquer finish with chroma light hour and its minute hands are built in 18k white gold with blue PVD coating, and there is a small second counter present at 6 o'clock. The hour indexes as well have the chroma light markings. And now that the Rolex Yacht-Master II is all about ‘timing the start', the red-contoured countdown arrow which is on the 10-minute countdown gives accuracy to the job by being readable at a glance. Thus pick your choice of luxurious Yacht Master II, and set your watch collection on a sail.

Features of Rolex Watches

Rolex, since its inception in 1908, has brought various innovative technological revolution to the wristwatch industry and is still evolving. Rolex, which is popular as a mechanical watch also in Japan, has value, functional beauty and reliability supported by the high technical force of skilled technicians is not found in other brands.

Stainless steel

As a Brand of quality, Rolex Company usually creates its watches using high-quality non-corrosion steel, 904L Stainless Steel, that no other brand uses. Unlike the 316L which is widely used by other brands, 904L steel is very durable and shinier.

Although it’s hidden by the impermeable case, Rolex watches have been equipped with perpetual movements for years. Of which have been greatly celebrated by the watch wearers following its Chronometric performance. Recently, anyhow, the renowned Swiss brand was able to introduce its new movement- Caliber 3255, which is believed to even surpass the set COSC level of Chronometric precision.

Oyster Case

Recognized as the first impermeable case in the world, Oyster case is one of the largest milestones of Rolex which was invented in 1926. The Rolex Oyster diver watches are guaranteed to have a water resistance of up to 3,900 meters.

Triplock Crown Seal

Various Rolex sports watches have been fitted with a triplock winding crown seal which helps enhance the waterproofness of the watch. This system, natheless, is fitted in the winding crown’s tube, thus, is only visible after unscrewing the winding crown.

Rolex Watches: Waterproof vs Water Resistant

<> Are Rolex watches waterproof or water resistant? What is the difference?

Rolex watches are not “waterproof,” but rather “water-resistant.” The term “waterproof” suggests that a watch is impervious to water under all conditions, which is not possible due to the nature of watches and the fact that their water resistance can vary depending on several factors, such as age, wear, and the condition of the seals. Over time, gaskets can degrade, and the water resistance of a watch can diminish. That’s why regular maintenance and pressure testing are recommended to ensure the seals and gaskets are intact.

“Water-resistant” is a more accurate term and means that the watch can withstand water ingress to a certain degree, often up to a specified depth and for a limited amount of time. Different watches are rated for different levels of water resistance, typically measured in meters or atmospheres (ATM), where 1 ATM is equivalent to the pressure at a depth of 10 meters.

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<> Rolex has long been known for manufacturing watches with high levels of water resistance. Their Oyster case, for instance, which was introduced in 1926, was one of the first waterproof watch cases, providing a hermetic seal to protect the movement from water and dust. The Rolex Submariner in particular, is designed for diving and is water-resistant to at least 300 meters (1,000 feet). The Rolex Sea-Dweller and Rolex Deepsea are designed for deep-sea diving and offer water resistance to 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) and 3,900 meters (12,800 feet), respectively. <>

The water resistance of a watch is achieved by using gaskets made of rubber, nylon, or Teflon to seal the places where the parts of the case come together, such as the crown, case back, and crystal. Over time, these gaskets can wear out or deteriorate, which is why watch manufacturers like Rolex recommend periodic service to ensure the water resistance is maintained.

<> Rolex Twinlock vs Triplock Crowns: How do they make Rolex watches water resistant? What is the difference?

The Twinlock and Triplock systems are two different types of crown sealing mechanisms used by Rolex to enhance the water resistance of their watches. Each system is designed to prevent water from entering the case through the crown, which is one of the most vulnerable parts of a watch.

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two: <>

Twinlock Crown:

– The Twinlock crown features two sealed zones to keep water out: one inside the tube of the crown and another inside the crown itself.

– It is typically used on non-chronograph Rolex watches with a water resistance rating of up to 100 meters (330 feet). In the current collection, it is used by the Datejust, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual, Sky-Dweller, Air-King, Milgauss, and Explorer I and II.

– The Twinlock crown can be identified by the presence of two dots or a line beneath the Rolex coronet on the crown for stainless steel models, or a single dot for gold or two-tone models.

Triplock Crown:

– The Triplock crown incorporates an additional sealed zone, making three in total: one inside the tube of the crown, another inside the crown itself, and a third one around the outside of the winding tube’s thread.

– This system is designed for Rolex’s dive watches, which have higher water resistance ratings. It is used on models like the Deepsea, Sea-Dweller, and the Rolex Submariner, which can withstand depths of up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet), 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) and 300 meters (1,000 feet), respectively.

– Some watches have water resistance ratings of 100 meters (330 feet), but are equipped with the Triplock crown, namely Daytona, GMT-Master II, and Yacht-Master  and Yacht-Master II , as their designs are more proportionate with the Triplock system.

– The Triplock crown is indicated by three dots beneath the Rolex coronet on the crown.

Both systems utilize rubber O-rings to create tight seals at each of these points. When the crown is screwed down, the O-rings compress to form a barrier against water ingress. However, the Triplock system’s extra seal provides an added level of protection, suitable for watches that are intended for more demanding underwater environments.

<> Water Resistance Scales: What Do Each of them Mean?

The terms “bar” and “atm” are units of pressure used to denote water resistance in watches. They are essentially equivalent, with 1 bar being equal to the atmospheric pressure at sea level, and 1 atm (short for atmosphere) being a slightly rounded approximation of this pressure:

1 bar = 100 kPa (kilopascals)

1 atm ≈ 101.325 kPa

For practical purposes in the watch industry, they are often used interchangeably:

1 atm = 1.01325 bar

1 bar ≈ 1 atm

Rolex designates the water resistance of their watches in meters, and each level of water resistance is suitable for different kinds of activities. <>

What activities are allowed under each water resistance rating?

30 meters (3 atm / 3 bar): Watches with this rating are resistant to minor splashes of water. You should not use these watches for swimming or diving. They are only suitable for everyday use and can withstand rain or water splashes.

50 meters (5 atm / 5 bar): A watch with a 50m rating can withstand swimming in shallow depths, such as in a swimming pool, but it is not suitable for diving. Activities like showering with the watch are still not recommended because the force of water from a showerhead can exceed the conditions that the rating is based on.

100 meters (10 atm / 10 bar): Watches rated at 100 meters are suitable for swimming and snorkeling but not for high-speed water sports or diving with scuba gear. This level of water resistance ensures that the watch can handle water pressure at depths that are typical for snorkeling.

200 meters (20 atm / 20 bar): A 200m rating indicates that the watch is suitable for all high-impact water sports, including recreational scuba diving. It’s not suitable for professional diving with mixed gases or deep-water diving.

300 meters (30 atm / 30 bar): Watches with a 300m rating are appropriate for scuba diving at depths not suitable for saturation diving. They are made for most water-based activities except for deep-sea diving.

<> The Rolex Oyster Case

Most Rolex watches have the “Oyster Perpetual” title in their name and written on their dial, right below the Rolex logo.

The “Oyster” refers to their hermetic case. Introduced by Rolex in 1926, it is the first ever waterproof case made for a wristwatch. It keeps water out through its patented system where the bezel, case back and winding crown are screwed against the middle of the case, wherein all parts of the watch are securely fitted. <>

Today, the Rolex Oyster case is made out of solid and elegant Oystersteel (Rolex’s unique blend of 904 stainless steel), 18k gold or 950 platinum.

The robust materials and patented system make for an impenetrable case that provides a safe and dry environment and protection against water, dust, and shocks for Rolex’s self-winding “Perpetual” movement.

Rolex Oyster Watches

With the exception of the Rolex Cellini , all modern Rolex watches are fitted with the Rolex Oyster case. This guarantees water resistance of up to 100 meters (330 feet) for the following models:

Rolex Datejust and Datejust II

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Rolex Air-King

Rolex GMT-Master

Rolex Daytona

As part of Rolex’s quality control tests, each watch is subjected to water pressure that is 10 percent greater than the depth it has guaranteed (or in the case of dive watches, 25 percent).

This means Oyster Perpetual watches can be used safely in the water for a while, such as when swimming or bathing; but one must never go diving with it. <>

<> The Rolex Submariner

Before today’s Rolex watches were developed to have their 100 meter depth rating, the Rolex Submariner was the first to achieve this feat.

Almost three decades after they developed the Oyster case, Rolex set out to create a timepiece especially for professional diving. In the Basel of 1954, Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual Submariner – the first commercially available watch capable of submerging to 100 meters. <>

Today, the modern Rolex Submariner has a depth rating of 300 meters (1,000 feet).

Most owners of Rolex Submariners won’t actually go into the water with it, much less wear it near the said depth, but at its core, the Submariner was created and tested to be worn in real and harsh diving environments.

<> The Rolex Sea-Dweller

While the Oyster case and the Rolex Submariner were already amazing feats, Rolex continued to develop and improve the water resistance of their watches. In 1967, they introduced their most water resistant watch yet – the Rolex Sea-Dweller .

At this point, the Rolex Submariner was already capable of reaching 200 meters (660 feet), which was by no means inadequate. However, it presented one problem – when used during saturation dives, the crystal would pop out during decompression.

Rolex’s solution to this problem was through the helium escape valve. By letting the helium particles escape through this controlled mechanism, they found a way to safely depressurize the watch as it reaches sea level. And so began the lineage of the Sea-Dweller line. <>

Today, the Sea-Dweller has two lines of watches designed for extreme diving: the Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea Sea-Dweller.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller has a depth rating of 1,200 meters (4,000 feet). While the Rolex Deepsea, launched in 2008, has triple its depth rating – 3,900 meters (12,800 feet).

At the core of the Rolex Deepsea’s brilliant engineering is the Ringlock System. The result of decades of collaboration with diving professionals, the Ringlock case architecture is designed to withstand enormous pressure without making the case as bulky as is usually necessary.

<> The Rolex Titanium Deepsea Challenge

The Rolex Deepsea , introduced in 2022, is Rolex’s most water-resistant watch to date, marking a significant milestone for the brand as it incorporates titanium – a first for Rolex – into its construction. The watch pays homage to the experimental watch Rolex designed for filmmaker and explorer James Cameron’s historic dive to the Mariana Trench in 2012, which was the deepest solo dive ever accomplished. The 2012 experimental Deepsea Challenge watch accompanied Cameron on the submersible’s robotic arm and reached a depth of 10,908 meters (35,787 feet), far below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.  

<> The case of the Deepsea Challenge is crafted from RLX titanium, a grade 5 titanium, which is a first for Rolex. Titanium is chosen for its exceptional corrosion resistance and its strength-to-density ratio, making the watch both strong and relatively light for its size. The watch has an astonishing water resistance of 11,000 meters (36,090 feet), thanks to a Ringlock system with a nitrogen-alloyed steel ring, a 9.5mm thick sapphire crystal, and a grade 5 titanium case back.

It has a substantial 50mm case, which is necessary to withstand the extreme pressures found at such depths. Despite its size, the use of titanium ensures that the watch is wearable. Inside, the Deepsea Challenge is powered by the caliber 3230, a robust and reliable movement with a Chronergy escapement and a 70-hour power reserve. <>

The watch features a black dial with luminous round, baton, and triangular hour markers and Mercedes hands. The bezel is equipped with a black Cerachrom insert made from ceramic, which is highly resistant to scratches and corrosion. The Oyster bracelet is also made of titanium and features Rolex’s Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It also includes the Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension systems to adjust the bracelet for use over a diving suit.

3. Aftermarket parts and accessories Components of Rolex watches are subjected to rigorous tests and specific conditions before the company makes its claims. When you replace these parts with aftermarket or non-Rolex components, you also risk weakening your watch’s water resistance.

4. Leaving the crown unscrewed Last but not the least, is this very common error. It’s pretty easy to forget to screw it back on after winding the watch or resetting the date and time. While there are seals and gaskets that work with the Oyster case, these may also undergo wear from everyday use, leaving your watch susceptible to water and dust when the crown is unscrewed.

Whether you take your Rolex watch diving or not, water resistance is still an important factor in maintaining the performance of your Rolex watch. It is advisable to have your watch checked every 3-5 years by an authorized Rolex dealer, in order to maintain its water resistance.

<> Frequently Asked Questions About Rolex Water Resistance

What can impact the water resistance of my watch what are some common causes of water damage.

Water resistance in watches can be compromised by wear and tear, impacts, improper crown sealing, extreme temperature changes, chemical exposure, saltwater corrosion, pressure variations, and incorrect servicing.

If water gets inside, avoid using the watch’s functions, place it in a dry environment, and get it to a professional for servicing. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the integrity of the water resistance over time.

Water got into my Rolex, what should I do?

If water gets into your Rolex, it’s important to act quickly to minimize damage:

Do not wind or adjust the watch , as this could push water deeper into the mechanics.

Pull out the crown to stop the movement. This can help prevent further damage internally.

Keep the watch face up to avoid spreading the water inside.

Send it to a professional immediately . Take your Rolex to an authorized dealer or a reputable watch repair service as soon as possible.

Professional watchmakers have the necessary tools and expertise to open the watch without causing additional damage, dry and clean the internal components, and assess any damage that may have occurred. It is essential not to delay this step; corrosion can start quickly inside the watch. Remember, Rolex watches require specialist care, and their water resistance should be tested after any incident involving water ingress.

What are the signs of water damage in a Rolex watch?

Signs of water damage in a Rolex watch can include:

Condensation: Fog or moisture under the crystal that doesn’t dissipate quickly.

Dial and Hand Discoloration: Water can cause the dial, hands, or numerals to discolor or fade.

Malfunction: The watch may stop working or not keep time accurately.

Corrosion: Over time, water inside the watch can lead to corrosion of its metal parts, including the movement.

Rust: Brown stains or actual rust on the steel parts of the watch, especially around the dial or the case back.

Dial Damage: Bubbling, peeling, or other visible damage to the dial surface.

Lume Degradation: The luminous material on the dial and hands may deteriorate.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to get the watch assessed by a professional as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

<> Rolex: Waterproof vs Water Resistant – Final Thoughts

Rolex’s legacy as a purveyor of water-resistant luxury watches is unparalleled, a testament to its history of innovation since the Oyster case. Whether it’s the enduring Submariner, the deep-diving Sea-Dweller, or the pioneering Titanium Deepsea, each timepiece promises reliability beneath the waves. However, maintaining such resilience requires diligence.

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Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681

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Elevate your elegance with the pre-owned Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681. This exquisite timepiece, expertly crafted in stainless steel and 18K rose gold, offers a harmonious fusion of luxury and functionality. Its 44mm case, white dial, and blue Cerachom bezel showcase both style and substance. Powered by the Rolex Calibre 4161 movement, it promises precision and reliability with an impressive 72-hour power reserve. Dive into sophistication with this meticulously designed watch, a true embodiment of Rolex’s legendary craftsmanship and innovation.

• TWO YEAR INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
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Yacht-Master II

Manufacturer ref #, scrambled serial, stainless steel/18k rose gold, rolex calibre 4161 automatic, power reserve, approximately 72 hours, dial markers, square index, scratch resistant sapphire, blue cerachom insert, water resistance, 100m / 330ft, strap/bracelet, band material, folding oysterlock safety clasp with easylink 5 mm comfort extension link, 535-2001695, what’s included.

• Rolex Yacht-Master Manuals
• 2 Year Precision Watches Warranty

Watch Description

Step into the world of refined timekeeping with the pre-owned Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681, a stunning blend of stainless steel and 18K rose gold craftsmanship. This watch embodies the essence of luxury, from its intricate details to its precise movement.

Crafted Brilliance: Stainless Steel and Rose Gold

The 44mm case, meticulously crafted from stainless steel and 18K rose gold, commands attention with its bold yet tasteful design. The striking contrast between the materials adds a touch of opulence to your wrist.

The Heart of Excellence: Rolex Calibre 4161

Equipped with the Rolex Calibre 4161 automatic movement, this Yacht-Master II guarantees precision and reliability. With an impressive power reserve of approximately 72 hours, you can trust this timepiece to keep up with your active lifestyle.

Elegance in Detail: White Dial and Square Index Markers

The white dial, adorned with square index markers, exudes timeless elegance. Legible and sophisticated, it’s a testament to Rolex’s commitment to functional beauty.

Seamless Functionality: Blue Cerachom Bezel

The blue Cerachom bezel not only adds a splash of color but also serves a functional purpose in yachting. With its precise countdown feature, this timepiece becomes an essential companion for maritime enthusiasts.

Every Second Matters: Precision Screw-Down Crown

The screw-down crown ensures water resistance and precise time-setting, while the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal safeguards the dial from the rigors of daily wear.

Craftsmanship Meets Comfort: Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Bracelet

The stainless steel and 18K rose gold bracelet, secured by a folding Oysterlock safety clasp with an Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link, guarantees both security and comfort on your wrist.

Unveil the Exceptional: Solid Caseback

The solid caseback, a hallmark of Rolex’s dedication to excellence, ensures the watch’s integrity while adding a touch of exclusivity.

A World of Adventure: Water Resistance

With a water resistance of 100 meters (330 feet), the Yacht-Master II accompanies you on your aquatic endeavors, making it a reliable companion for every adventure.

The Essence of Elegance

Discover the epitome of luxury with the pre-owned Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681. Unveil a world where style and precision unite seamlessly, and experience the legacy of Rolex craftsmanship on your wrist.

Are you looking to sell or trade your Rolex Yacht-Master II 116681? Click here to get a free quote. We guarantee top market prices, a smooth, quick process, and fast payments. But don’t just take our word for it – check out hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from our satisfied customers.

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Tens of thousands of Russians freeze as hot water pipes burst around the country

T ens of thousands of people across Russia are currently living with no heating or hot water following an unprecedented wave of infrastructure failures.

Even large cities like Novosibirsk and Vladivostok, as well as the suburbs of Moscow, have experienced burst hot-water mains, ruptured heating pipelines, and crumbling municipal infrastructure. These incidents have escalated since the beginning of 2024, with temperatures dropping to -30 degrees and below in some parts of the country.

While such failures are not a new phenomenon, considering Russia's frigid winters and aging Soviet-era infrastructure, they are now occurring at a significant political moment, just before a presidential election and amid growing fatigue over the protracted invasion of Ukraine.

As temperatures plummet, the deteriorating state of municipal services, particularly heating, poses a significant political challenge for the authorities. With much of the government's budget redirected towards the war effort, many local authorities have experienced a reduction in funding, limiting their capacity to promptly address any infrastructure issues.

The surge in bursting pipes coincides with Russia's efforts to shield the population from any adverse effects of the war in Ukraine. Until recently, the average Russian had not experienced a significant impact on their life due to the conflict. However, as cash-strapped local governments grapple with the urgent need to address various problems, concerns may arise that residents will perceive the so-called Special Operation as a drain on resources.

The Kremlin itself has admitted that a significant portion of Russia's infrastructure is ageing, but it has attributed the recent outages to unusually cold weather.

Speaking on the subject, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that 'everyone did everything that could be done' to address the issue and expressed sympathy for those who had to endure 'sitting in the cold without electricity.'

'Despite all titanic efforts to upgrade all the housing and utilities systems, a certain part of them remains in a rather dilapidated state,” Peskov said. “These programmes will continue, but it is impossible to renew all pipes and all housing and utilities systems in 10-15 years. Of course, these programmes are time-consuming,' he said.

In Podolsk, a city in the Moscow Region, 180 high-rise buildings lost power due to a burst heating main at the Klimovsk Specialised Ammunition Plant. In response, locals took to the streets, demanding the restoration of power and urging accountability for those responsible. In response, the deputy head of Podolsk, Roman Ryazantsev, was arrested. According to investigators, Ryazantsev was warned more than once that the infrastructure was not up to standard.

In Elektrostal, also in the Moscow Region, residents gathered outside to start fires in order to keep warm, as temperatures inside apartments dropped as low as -18 degrees Celsius. In a video, a group of locals appealed to Governor Andrey Vorobyov, urging him to address and resolve the heating issue.

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Is Moscow Tap Water Safe To Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

Table of Contents

Can you drink tap water in moscow.

Yes, tap water is drinkable.

Tap Safe includes data from many publicly available sources, including the WHO (World Health Organization), CDC (Center for Disease Control), and user submitted databases, but unfortunately there's not enough data about Moscow.

To see user submitted ratings of the water quality for Russia, see the "User Submitted Ratings" box on this page.

Moscow Russia, tap water is safe for drinking . Treatment plants use sodium hypochlorite , which is more reliable than chlorine. A regular inspection ensures people who drink it won’t be ill. The water leaves the treatment plant is safe to drink . However, locals tend to boil water before drinking. Nowadays, many Russian drinks filtered water . Their concerns will be the residential pipeline in the place they live or stay.

The Mosvodokanal (Water services company), the state group that monitors the drinking water in Moscow, confirms that water is clean . The company produces high-quality drinking water and a safe sewage system to 14.2 million inhabitants of the Moscow capital. Also, according to specialists, tap water in Moscow meets all the requirements that have been recommended by Russia’s chief state sanitary inspector. They deny many stories created by the various aqua filters. But if you have a sensitive stomach as tourists, we advise that you only consume bottled water.

Source of Water in Moscow, Russia

Tap water from Moscow, Russia , comes from surface water and groundwater. The three primary sources originate from the Moskva river , Volga river , and Vazuzskoye Hydrotechnical System.

The Moskva river supplies up to 60% of the capital needs of water. While the Volga river provides 40% of the water supply in Moscow, the Vazuzskoye serve as a reserve source incase of water crisis or contamination on the two prime surface water source.

Treatment and sanitation start with coagulation . This method includes the addition of compounds that improve the clumping of fines into larger floc so that they can easily separate from the water. Then they exposed water to UV light that known to kill bacteria and now will pass through water filtration of sand a natural way to filter water without chemical compounds.

Moscow Tap Water

The famous Moscow tap water supplied by the authorities contained high levels of pesticides, etc. These levels have been regularly overcharged and sometimes unknowingly overcharged in some areas. You can imagine that when this happens, you could be suffering from long-term health problems. The average life expectancy in Moscow is around eighty or ninety years. These figures do not include the death rate from illnesses, which, unfortunately, almost one-third of the population suffers from Moscow.

Recently some companies have started selling packaged Moscow tap water at various price ranges so that people can easily buy a bottle and take it with them to their home. It seems that the people of Moscow have become much more interested in these bottles, and many believe they are safer than the local bottled water from the supermarket or the vast range of similar brands sold in stores across the globe. Yet they are pretty useless and even more expensive than the ordinary local supermarket brands. Many believe that these brand-name companies are only making money from their consumers by deceiving them. However, it is also worth remembering that the destination Moscow tap water does not come from any such reliable suppliers and is certainly not free of harmful chemicals.

It is essential to realize that not all bottled water from Europe or anywhere else in the world is safe to drink. If you are traveling to Moscow, you should ensure that you have a fully qualified professional inspect the water before you drink. The same applies if you stay at a hotel in the city, as many hotels often have a plumbing problem. If your drinking water is contaminated, you may have absolutely no choice but to leave the hotel and find somewhere else to stay. In the past, I have personally seen people who have lived for months in a small town without any water supply and were forced to use a simple tap water filter to bring some life back into their lives. Moscow’s people indeed face difficult times, but the fact remains that they need our help more than ever to keep their city clean and healthy.

Water in Moscow

Water in Moscow is something that people take for granted, but the fact is that there are no hotel amenities in the city that can be called genuinely luxurious. While there are plenty of posh cafes scattered throughout the city and a plethora of excellent eating and drinking options, you will have to get your drinking water from a faucet at the end of the day, a tap or bottled one. This can be a pain because even if you go on a perfect vacation, you might still not be able to take along your water bottle, so here are some other things that you should make sure to pack before you travel to Russia. Your water supply!

Water is essential when you are visiting any country, let alone one as unique as Russia. As such, you will want to get a hold of bottled water while you are there, and at many of the hotels, you will also find a water filter attached to the tap. This way, you can have clean and safe water without having to worry about getting sick from water that may not necessarily be from a tap that you drink. It is also an excellent idea to have an ice cooler with you, to keep refreshments for yourself and any friends or family you may meet. If you stay in a guest house, try to get a refrigerator, too – cold drinks are a must!

There are also plenty of hotels in Moscow that offer Wi-Fi internet access, so make sure to bring this along with you, too. A hotel water purifier may seem like a small thing to have on hand, but you never know when you might need it, especially in the heat and humidity that the region has to deal with. In addition to taking these precautions, there are other hotel amenities that you can find in many of the more excellent hotels in Moscow and more budget hotels. For example, many cheaper hotels will offer you hot tubs, which are incredibly relaxing and enjoyable after a hard day at work. You can even get a “couple” package so that you can enjoy a romantic evening together after returning home from a long day of work.

Moscow Bottled Water

The Moscow Bottled Water is now one of the leading brands of Russian bottled water. It has its unique name and brand identity due to the strict control of production. Only the best quality minerals, herbs, and plants are used to produce every bottle of this Moscow bottled water. This brand is known all over the world for its quality of water.

The Moscow Italian Wine has also become a famous brand among people across the world. Its unique name was based on two words -” Moscow” and “Italian wine.” It was created by the legendary Russian writer Alexey Pshchinin. Since one day, he put the words “Moscow Italian Wine” in the bottle of his famous Russian brand and started selling it to customers across the world. It is considered one of the finest Russian wines that are available.

Murano Italian Wine is one of the top-selling brands that has a vast number of fans. It has been a part of the Russian retail market since 1960 when it began as a small business. It has expanded its brand name to sell various products such as wine, mineral water, fruits, and confectionery. Due to its huge success, the company now produces different types of Russian wines, chocolates, juices, and Cologne from its vast inventories. Now it is available in almost all parts of the world, even in some parts of the United States.

Moscow Drinking Water

Do you want to know about the quality of Moscow drinking water? Are you worried that you are not getting enough of it? Then you need to know what the quality of Moscow’s drinking water is. It would be best if you also found out what you can do to stop it from happening to you and ensure that your family’s health is not in danger. Here are some tips to help you with this:

The first thing that you should know is that there are different kinds of purification methods used for the purest drinking water. There are many different ones. Even if you live in one of the most developed cities globally, you still have to be aware that you have to deal with the pollution in your city. The water that comes from the tap may be clean, but you have to contend with many impurities when you mix it with municipal water. Therefore, you need to make sure that you purchase a good filtration system that will allow you to drink safe water without worrying about the quality.

Moreover, you need to know that some water purification plants have been known to produce horrible drinking water. There have even been cases when people end up getting ill because they drink contaminated water. In addition to this, you also need to make sure that the government has approved the water filter you buy. Without this, you might end up with a machine that will give you nothing but a few contaminants.

Moscow Water Supply

Moscow is one of the largest cities in Russia and the capital of the Russian Federation. The city was developed as a steam mining center during the Golden Ages of the 17th century. Today, the city is one of the fastest-growing cities in Russia, with over 6 million. The Moscow water supply has long been a problem because of water pipes’ issues in the city. However, it has become much better today as a result of technological advances.

Water is essential to life in the city, and it is also crucial for the health of its inhabitants. Moscow has always had an inadequate water supply record, which has been the case since the Revolution. However, the situation has changed today, and Moscow has one of the world’s best water supply systems. Water is also distributed to all of the apartment complexes and townhouses before being distributed to individual homes. It is also brought in on trucks and trains from the city’s main water supplies.

Water is a valuable commodity, and the city does not want to see any cut in its water supply. Therefore, when a new water line is installed, it is done with great care and attention. When the water supply is affected due to natural calamities like floods and earthquakes, Moscow gets involved more than other cities. However, it does not affect the city’s general population, as the people of Moscow can drink from any tap no matter where they are located. Also, as long as there is sunlight in the city, water in bottles will be available for the general public.

Moscow Water Quality

Moscow has a lot of industrial, commercial, and residential growth going on. Since these areas are populated with people, a lot of waste is being created that needs to be handled. Moscow water quality is improving slowly but surely, and it is expected that it will be better in the future. Water is an essential commodity, and everyone needs it to survive. Moscow is just a small city. The population is still growing, so the need for good water quality will not be quickly replaced as it did in the past. Nevertheless, there are some methods you can use to ensure that you are drinking at least what is considered to be good quality water.

If you have friends or relatives living in a city known for poor water quality, you may want to think about helping them out by donating your share to a charity that gives clean water to residents. Many charities give away free water to people who cannot afford to buy bottled water, although this does little good if the water source is unreliable. You could also try contacting your city to see if they have any programs that allow you to help out. They often need people to run surveys and provide information about their water supply quality, although the government does not usually support these kinds of programs.

You can help improve the quality of the water in your home by installing a kitchen countertop filter that takes out the contaminants. There are many types of filters available, and you may find that the simplest ones will work best in your house. Some of these filters remove just a few particles, leaving the tap water’s essential minerals and vitamins. This may help overcome the mineral deficiencies.

Moscow Water Treatment

Moscow water treatment equipment has become a prevalent method of filtration and purification among the Moscow residents. Many people are starting to use these systems to filter their water and be confident that their water is clean enough for consumption by their families. The systems are becoming more popular as more people realize what they have been doing by allowing city water to pollute their drinking water. This has caused many health problems for many Russian citizens. City water cannot be deemed healthy when it contains such contaminants as pesticides, lead, benzene, bacteria, radioactive isotopes, synthetic drugs, and other harmful chemicals. Even the water from wells used for personal consumption must be filtered or cleaned at the source to be deemed safe for drinking.

The main reason these systems are getting more popular is that they are cost-effective and produce far healthier water than what you can get from your tap. There is a wide range of water treatment equipment available on the market today, ranging from portable units that can be kept in apartments and houses and huge water softening machines that can be installed in water pipes throughout a city. These systems’ prices depend on many factors, such as the size of the system, the kind of filter used, and the number of filter stages that need to be installed in the water purification equipment.

The water quality that comes out of your tap can sometimes depend on whether you have installed the correct type of water treatment equipment. If you suspect that your water supply contains any impurities such as lead, it would be wise to contact a water purifier that can help to remove the traces of this toxic metal. Once you have made your purchase, it would be a good idea to read about the brand and model you are using to make the most of your investment. Water purifiers have become an essential part of our lives, and it is crucial to know precisely what you are purchasing to make sure that you are getting a quality product.

Other links:

• Moscow, Russia Travel Guide by N.G.
• 17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow
• https://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/moscow/health

What do people in Moscow think about the tap water?

While brushing your teeth with it is OK, assume that tap water isn’t safe to drink. Stick to bottled water, boil water for 10 minutes or use water purification tablets or a filter.

The estimated price of bottled water

$0.56 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

• Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 40% Moderate
• Water Pollution 49% Moderate
• Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 61% High
• Water Quality 50% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Moscow, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

• Best Water to Drink
• Lead in Drinking Water
• PFAS in Drinking Water
• Nitrates in Drinking Water
• Bacteria in Drinking Water
• Best Water Dispensers

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Sources cited, additional resources, traveller's notes.

While brushing your teeth with it is OK, assume that tap water isn't safe to drink. Stick to bottled water, boil water for 10 minutes or use water purification tablets or a filter.

Current Weather in Moscow

Some of the convenience stores in moscow.

• Eliseyevskiy
• Pyaterochka
• Mini Market
• EUROSPAR Express
• Food Market
• АВ Daily
• Planeta Vkusa
• Indiyskiye Spetsii
• Alyye Parusa
• Гастроном â„– 1
• Мой Ашан

Estimated Price of Bottled Water

Check tap water safety for nearby destinations.

• Dolgoprudnyy
• Krasnogorsk
• Dzerzhinskiy
• Ivanteyevka
• Shchelkovo (Shchyolkovo)
• Staraya Kupavna
• Elektrougli
• Losino-Petrovskiy
• Krasnoznamensk
• Elektrostal'
• Krasnoarmeysk
• Chernogolovka
• Beloozerskiy
• Solnechnogorsk
• Pavlovskiy Posad
• Sergiyev Posad
• Elektrogorsk
• Voskresensk

Check tap water safety for other cities in Russia

• Al'met'yevsk
• Aleksandrov
• Aleksandrovsk
• Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinskiy
• Alekseyevka

Check tap water safety for other countries in Europe

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Faroe Islands
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• North Macedonia
• South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

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Freebie Water Bottles to Combat Heat in Moscow Metro

Moscow authorities are planning to distribute free bottled water to commuters at several of the city's metro stations if temperatures exceed 28 degrees C this summer, a spokesman said.

During cooler weather, passengers can also buy bottled water from vending machines at a price of up to 25 rubles ($0.70) at nine stations across the city, chosen because they heat up quickest, the metro press service said in a statement posted on its website.

Vending machines will be installed at nine subway stations across the city, including Dmitrovskaya, Timirazhayevskaya, Savyolovskaya and Petrovsko-Razumovskaya on the Gray Line; Sokol and Aeroport on the Dark Green Line; Tekstilshchiki and Ryazansky Prospekt on the Purple Line; and Belyayevo on the Orange Line.

"We are doing everything possible to make it easier for Muscovites and visitors to endure the heat," the head of the Moscow's transportation department, Maxim Liksutov, was quoted as saying.

Weather forecasters on Monday predicted warm temperatures in Moscow for the rest of the week, increasing steadily to up to 33 degrees C on Friday, the meteorological station said, Interfax reported.

See also: Moscow Public Transport Faces Price Hike Starting June

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Yacht-Master

Made for sailing

The waterproof and robust qualities of this model make it the ideal watch for water sports and sailing in particular.

Exceptional legibility

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, even in the dark thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangle, circle, rectangle – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

The Yacht-Master 37 and Yacht-Master 40 are the only two models in the Rolex catalogue offered in Rolesium versions: the bezel is fashioned from platinum while the rest of the watch is in Oystersteel. These versions also harbour a turquoise- or red-lacquer seconds hand echoing the colour of the Yacht-Master inscription on the dial.

18 ct Everose gold

This exclusive 18 ct pink gold alloy – created and cast by Rolex – features a slightly stronger colour than traditional pink gold and exhibits subtle cool tones. Its sophisticated and contemporary colour resonates particularly well on watches that combine gold and Oystersteel, known as Rolesor versions (a combination of Oystersteel and gold).

Cerachrom bezel insert

The matt black monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert of the Yacht-Master is made of an extremely hard, virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays, seawater or water that is chlorinated. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. The numerals and inscriptions are moulded in the ceramic and coloured with gold or platinum using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process.

Bracelets and clasps

The Yacht-Master’s 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic.

Calibres 3235 and 2236 Superlative movements