Featured image: Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 16628 is the original 40mm yellow gold Yacht-Master, launched in 1992 with a 3135 automatic movement, a rotating bezel and 100 meters of water resistance. It is often linked online to Grant Cardone, but we could not find a reliable source that places this exact reference on his wrist.
Quick answerThe 16628 is a real, collectible 18k gold Yacht-Master that typically sells pre-owned for roughly $17,000 to $30,000, depending on dial and condition. Cardone’s documented Rolex watches are a two-tone Datejust and a white gold Yacht-Master II, not this one. See what watch Grant Cardone wears for the full picture.
Where to buy
Compare the same watch on both sites: eBay for pre-owned and vintage pieces, Amazon for new stock.
Rolex Yacht-Master 16628
Prices and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
Is the 16628 really Grant Cardone’s watch?
Not as far as we can verify. The most detailed public inventory of his collection, a Chronometer Check write-up, lists a stainless steel and gold Datejust (his first luxury watch, reference not stated), a white gold Yacht-Master II that the author presumes is a 116689 and which he reportedly gave to a business partner, and a Panerai PAM00187. The Yacht-Master II reference is the author’s presumption, not a confirmed fact. The gold Yacht-Master look is closely associated with the “successful businessman” image, which probably explains why the name stuck. Treat the link as a style association, not a documented sighting.
Rolex Yacht-Master 16628 at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1992, as the first Yacht-Master |
| Case | 40mm, 18k yellow gold, tapered lugs |
| Movement | Rolex calibre 3135, automatic chronometer |
| Bezel | Bidirectional, 60-minute graduated, sandblasted gold |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 100 meters (330 feet) |
| Bracelet | Oyster, 18k gold, 20mm lug width |
| Pre-owned price | About $17,000 to $30,000; rare dials higher |
These specs come from a combination of dealer listings and Rolex history coverage. Exact production end dates are not stated consistently by the sources we checked, so we do not give one. Dealer examples dated from the early 1990s through the 2000s are common.
History: why the Yacht-Master exists
Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992 as a luxury sailing watch, with a time-lapse bezel for countdowns at the start of regattas. The first reference was the 16628 in gold, with a white dial and a triple-lock crown. In 1994, Rolex added a blue sunray dial in the 40mm gold version and introduced mid-size and ladies’ sizes. A steel and platinum “Rolesium” model arrived at Basel in 1999, with a platinum dial, large markers and bigger hands.
The 16628 therefore sits at the start of the line. It is the dressy end of Rolex’s sports range: a gold watch that you can swim in, rather than a steel tool watch.
Variants and dials
Dealer listings show several 16628 dials: white, blue (including a metallic blue with a red Yacht-Master logo), champagne and a mother-of-pearl dial with diamonds and sapphires. Mother-of-pearl and factory diamond versions command the highest prices, with one dealer asking about $37,000 for a mother-of-pearl example. Be careful with the similar-looking two-tone Yacht-Master in 168623, a different reference with a steel and gold case. Many people searching for a “two-tone Yacht-Master” actually mean that reference.
Pre-owned prices and what to check
Dealer prices we saw range from about $16,995 for a blue dial to about $18,995 for a champagne dial, up to $25,795 for a white dial and about $28,900 for a like-new blue dial with box and papers. These are asking prices, not sale prices, and several examples were out of stock. Before you buy:
- Check the bracelet. Gold bracelets stretch with age, and a stretched one can feel loose. Ask about the clasp and links.
- Look at the bezel. A sandblasted gold bezel should look even. Polishing can soften the case lines.
- Confirm service history. The 3135 is robust, but a recent service matters.
- Buy documents if possible. Box and papers add value.
- Use a reputable dealer or authentication service. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what to look for.
16628 versus the modern Yacht-Master
Modern Yacht-Masters have moved on in size, strap and movement. The Yacht-Master 42 in yellow gold, ref. 226658, was introduced in 2022. It is a 42mm case on an Oysterflex rubber strap, with a black Cerachrom bezel and the calibre 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve. Its retail price was reported at $28,300. It also drops the red Yacht-Master dial text that the 16628 carried since 1992.
| 16628 (1992) | 226658 (2022) | |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 40mm | 42mm |
| Bezel | Gold, sandblasted | Black Cerachrom |
| Movement | Calibre 3135 | Calibre 3235, 70-hour reserve |
| Strap | Gold Oyster bracelet | Oysterflex rubber |
| Price | About $17,000 to $30,000 pre-owned | $28,300 retail (reported) |
The 16628 is the more classic, all-gold look and is usually cheaper than the new watch. The modern one wins on power reserve, wearability and warranty.
The look for less
If the gold sports watch look appeals but the budget does not, see our Rolex Submariner homage guide and homage watch guide. For Cardone’s other documented watch, read about the Panerai Luminor Submersible.
FAQ
Does Grant Cardone wear a Rolex Yacht-Master 16628?
We could not verify it. His documented Rolex watches are a two-tone Datejust and a white gold Yacht-Master II.
How much is a Rolex Yacht-Master 16628?
Pre-owned asking prices typically run from about $17,000 to $30,000, with rare dials priced higher.
What movement does the 16628 use?
The Rolex calibre 3135, an automatic chronometer movement.
What is the difference between the 16628 and the 168623?
The 16628 is solid yellow gold, while the 168623 is a two-tone steel and gold model.
Sources
- Chronometer Check: Grant Cardone’s watch collection
- Bob’s Watches: History of the Rolex Yacht-Master
- Bob’s Watches: Rolex Yacht-Master 16628
- Bernard Watch: Yacht-Master 16628
- Watch Collecting Lifestyle: Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226658