Entrepreneur Alan Sugar spotted wearing a Rolex

Lord Alan Sugar took to Twitter to confirm what watch enthusiasts immediately clocked from his wrist shot: a brand-new Rolex Yacht-Master II in 18ct yellow gold, reference 116688. The post, characteristically brief and self-assured, showed the watch fresh on his wrist — the blue Cerachrom bezel still pristine, the white dial gleaming. For a man whose personal brand is built on decisive action and conspicuous success, the choice of reference is entirely coherent.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116688 is a 44mm case in solid 18ct yellow gold, paired with a blue monobloc Cerachrom ceramic bezel engraved with a 0–10 regatta countdown scale filled with gold PVD. The white dial carries Arabic numerals in yellow gold, a red triangle at 12 o'clock, and the distinctive regatta timer subdial at 6. Powering it all is the Rolex Calibre 4161, a proprietary movement featuring a programmable mechanical countdown synchronized with a start-sequence — a Ring Command bezel mechanism that physically couples the bezel to the movement to set countdown intervals between 1 and 10 minutes. It is one of the most mechanically sophisticated movements Rolex has ever produced, with 54 jewels and a 72-hour power reserve.

From a collector standpoint, the 116688 occupies an interesting position. It is not an understated piece — 44mm of solid yellow gold with a bright blue bezel demands attention — which means it polarises opinion. Purists who prefer the two-tone or Oystersteel variants find the all-gold execution excessive, while those who appreciate Rolex's haute horlogerie credentials recognise the Calibre 4161 as the brand's most complex in-house movement. Production numbers are relatively limited compared to sport Rolex staples, which supports residual value.

Lord Sugar, worth an estimated £1.1 billion, built his fortune through Amstrad before becoming one of British television's most recognisable faces via The Apprentice. His watch choices have consistently skewed toward bold, recognisable luxury — this Yacht-Master II is consistent with that profile.

At UK RRP of approximately £30,000 (around $38,500 USD at time of release), the 116688 commands a premium on the grey market, where all-gold Rolex sport references routinely trade above list. Current secondary market pricing places this reference between $42,000 and $48,000 USD depending on condition and box-and-papers status.