Rolex · Waterproof Sports Watches
Rolex Yacht-Master II Automatic Men's 18kt Yellow Gold Watch
Lower PFAS concern, precious metals and sapphire carry minimal risk; skip only if demanding full supply-chain transparency.
Rolex luxury watches use traditionally low-PFAS-risk materials: 18kt gold, stainless steel, and sapphire crystal. No waterproofing treatments or nonstick coatings typical of PFAS exposure are involved.
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18kt yellow gold case, stainless steel bracelet, sapphire crystal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The case is 18-karat yellow gold (75% gold, 25% alloy, typically copper and silver for hardness), which is chemically stable and does not leach into skin or food. The stainless steel bracelet (typically 316L surgical grade) is also inert against body fluids and sweat. Sapphire crystal is lab-grown aluminum oxide, extremely hard and non-reactive. None of these materials pose known leaching, off-gassing, or degradation hazards under normal wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rolex is a privately held Swiss manufacturer with a long history of product durability and quality control, but does not publicly disclose supply-chain certifications, conflict-mineral sourcing, or third-party safety testing. No product recalls or safety incidents involving this model have been documented in public records. The brand's silence on chemical transparency is typical for luxury watches but limits independent verification of refining and assembly standards.
How it compares in its category
Precious-metal sports watches inherently carry lower chemical hazard profiles than steel-only or coated alternatives, because gold and sapphire do not require protective coatings, platings, or resins that can degrade. Most mainstream sports watches (Seiko, Tag Heuer, Omega in comparable segments) use identical base materials but may offer better public documentation of sourcing. This model's main trade-off is price and limited repairability outside authorized dealers.
If you buy it
Wear and care are straightforward: rinse the case and bracelet with fresh water after salt-water exposure to prevent corrosion of the stainless steel. Avoid extreme heat (above 60°C/140°F sustained) near any adhesives in the caseback seal, though this is a general watch principle, not a Rolex-specific risk. Service intervals (typically every 5-10 years) are expensive; confirm authorized service availability in your region before purchase. The sapphire crystal can scratch but does not shatter, and replacement is available through dealers.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Stainless steel corrosion (chloride-induced pitting)
316L stainless steel bracelet is corrosion-resistant but not immune; repeated salt-water exposure without rinsing can cause localized pitting. This is cosmetic and structural only, no systemic leaching hazard, but requires user discipline in marine environments.
Caseback adhesive or gasket degradation
No documented failures of the Yacht-Master II caseback seals have been published. Rolex uses proprietary gasket materials (likely elastomers) that are pressure-tested at manufacture, and modern formulations do not typically leach into the wearer's wrist.
Nickel in alloy metals (contact dermatitis)
18kt yellow gold alloy may contain trace nickel (typically less than 0.5%) to adjust hardness. Individuals with nickel sensitivity could experience mild irritation with prolonged skin contact, though prevalence is low. Stainless steel also contains nickel; pre-purchase patch testing is recommended only if you have a known nickel allergy.
Lead or cadmium in solder or plating (historical)
Modern Rolex manufacturing (post-1990s) has not been linked to lead solder or cadmium plating in any documented source. Swiss luxury watchmaking standards and EU compliance effectively exclude these hazards in current production.
Sapphire crystal optical coating hazards
Lab-grown sapphire itself is inert; anti-reflective coatings applied to the crystal are typically inorganic (silica-based) and pose no known ingestion or leaching risk. No recalls or complaints involving crystal coatings on this model exist in public records.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 92% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More waterproof sports watches grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.