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actorSpotted June 2023

Actor Saif Ali Khan spotted wearing a Rolex

actor Saif Ali Khan spotted wearing a Rolex
Who & what: Rolex Yacht-Master II 18k Yellow Gold Reference 116688 — Saif Ali Khan Spotted

During a candid on-camera appearance, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was photographed wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master II in 18k yellow gold — a watch that commands attention not merely for its material value but for the mechanical complexity concealed beneath its polished case. The sighting confirms Khan's taste for watches that occupy the intersection of haute horology and sporting pedigree.

The Yacht-Master II, reference 116688, is powered by Rolex's Calibre 4161 — a movement developed entirely in-house and representing one of the brand's most technically ambitious creations. The cal. 4161 features a mechanical memory system that allows the countdown timer, synchronised to a sailing race start sequence, to be programmed and reset via the crown without stopping the watch. The 44mm 18k yellow gold Oyster case houses a white lacquer dial with a distinctive blue Cerachrom bezel insert, whose graduated scale is moulded directly into the ceramic — making it fade-proof and highly scratch-resistant. The bracelet is the Oyster in matching 18k yellow gold with Rolex's folding Oysterlock clasp and Rolex Glidelock extension system.

From a collector's standpoint, the all-yellow-gold 116688 occupies a specific niche. The Yacht-Master II line was introduced in 2007 and was initially available only in yellow gold, making this configuration the original and definitive expression of the model. It is not a watch for the understated collector — its 44mm case in solid gold reads boldly on the wrist, and the blue-and-gold combination is deliberately theatrical. Grey-market values have remained relatively stable, with well-serviced examples trading in the $32,000–$38,000 range depending on condition and box/papers status.

Saif Ali Khan, a decorated actor and scion of the Pataudi cricketing dynasty, has long maintained a reputation for considered personal style. His choice of the 116688 aligns with a wardrobe philosophy that leans on heritage and substance rather than trend-chasing. The watch on his wrist is not a fashion accessory but a mechanical statement — one that Rolex originally engineered in collaboration with the international sailing community.

At its original retail of approximately $38,900, the Yacht-Master II 116688 yellow gold sits well above entry Rolex pricing, and current grey-market conditions place pre-owned examples in the $33,000–$37,000 corridor — a relative softness that makes this an interesting acquisition window for serious collectors eyeing a full-gold complication piece.

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