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Television presenter Ferne McCann spotted wearing Rolex

Ferne McCann, the English television presenter who rose to prominence on The Only Way Is Essex and has since built a standalone career with her ITVBe reality series, was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master II in 18KT yellow gold, reference 116688 — a watch that rewards closer inspection far beyond its conspicuous gold exterior.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116688 is a 44mm case hewn entirely from 18KT yellow gold, paired with a matching 18KT yellow gold Oyster bracelet. The dial is white lacquer with yellow gold applied hour markers, and the bidirectional bezel features a programmable 60-second countdown ring in Cerachrom ceramic — a detail that bridges pure luxury with genuine technical function. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, and the case weight in full gold is substantial, giving the watch a commanding presence on the wrist.

Beneath the case sits Rolex calibre 4161, an in-house automatic movement developed specifically for the Yacht-Master II and introduced with the model's debut in 2007. Its standout feature is the Ring Command bezel system: rotating the bezel mechanically engages with the movement to programme the regatta countdown timer, which can be set to sequences between 1 and 10 minutes. This is a genuine complication engineered for competitive sailing start sequences, not a cosmetic addition. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve.

For collectors, the ref. 116688 occupies an interesting position. Full-gold sport Rolex references have historically held value well, and the Yacht-Master II's relative complexity — combined with lower production volumes compared to the Submariner or Daytona — gives it a degree of exclusivity. It is not the most traded Rolex on the secondary market, which keeps grey-market premiums moderate rather than speculative.

McCann's choice of the ref. 116688 over a more conventional Datejust or Yacht-Master I suggests a deliberate lean toward mechanical substance alongside luxury signalling. At a UK list price of approximately £32,000, this is a serious acquisition, and it wears accordingly.