Rolex Cellini: The Ultimate Collection Buying Guide

Introduced in 1968, the Rolex Cellini collection has been the birthplace of the brand’s non-Oyster replica watches. Rolex named the collection after the Florentine goldsmith, sculptor, and painter Benvenuto Cellini, who was known for creating masterpieces during the Renaissance that are still studied and celebrated today. 
The first Cellini models were slim gold fake watches with dials that displayed the time driven by a manual-winding movement. They were distinctly different from the fake Rolex Oyster watches of the era, which included models like the Submariner, GMT-Master, Day-Date, Date-just, and Explorer. The “Oyster” designation in some Rolex watches refers to their water-resistant Oyster cases. In contrast, Cellini watches never had Oyster cases and was not intended to be water-resistant.
The simplest modern Cellini watch is the Rolex Cellini Time, which, as the name implies, has three hands on the dial to indicate hours, minutes, and seconds. The Cellini Time is available in two reference models: the Cellini Time Ref. 50509 in 18K white gold and the 50505 in 18K Eve-rose gold. Each model is available on a brown or black leather strap with a clasp in the same metal as the case.
The Rolex Cellini Time is available with a white dial or a black dial, and both models have oversized Roman numerals on the four poles, along with long baton hour markers divided by an internal minute scale. Inside the watches is the automatic and chronometer-certified Caliber 3132 movement. The Cellini Time retails for $15,200 (white gold or Everose gold), but they can usually be purchased pre-owned for 20-30% off.  
The Rolex Cellini Dual Time allows the wearer to read the time in two time zones simultaneously. Local time is displayed via a central hour/minute/second hand, while the second time zone is shown on a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Since the second time zone display follows a 12-hour format rather than a 24-hour format, Rolex has incorporated a day/night indication by having the sun or moon appear in a small window within the second time zone sub-dial.
The two Rolex Cellini Dual Time models are the Cellini Dual Time in white gold ref. 50529 and the Cellini Dual Time in Everose gold ref. 50525. Both models are available with black or silver dials decorated with guilloché motifs and topped with characteristic elongated and split hour markers. The Rolex Cellini Dual Time is powered by the in-house Caliber 3180 self-winding movement and the watch is priced at $19,400.
Three years after redesigning the Cellini collection, Rolex has revealed another surprise with the launch of the Cellini Moonphase. Debuting at Baselworld 2017, the Rolex Cellini Moonphase is the first Rolex watch to include a moon phase display since the 1950s.
Like all Cellini watches, the fake Rolex Cellini Moonphase features a 39 mm case, but it is only available in 18-carat Everose gold. As such, there is only one version, the Cellini Moonphase ref. 50535. This watch features a white lacquered dial with the date displayed by blue hands and the tip of the crescent moon pointing to the numerals around the dial. A blue enamel disc at 6 o’clock is used to display the moon phase of the current lunar cycle, with the moon itself represented by a small disc of meteorites. Set inside the Cellini Moonphase is the self-winding Caliber 3195, a unique Rolex watch priced at $26,750. 
The Rolex Cellini collection is truly finely crafted, which is important for a brand known for its over-engineered watches that are meant to be worn every day and to last for many uses. Due to its elegance and sheer modernity, the Rolex Cellini should be praised for its polished versatility; however, it often does not get the attention it deserves due to the overwhelming reputation of its siblings in the replica Rolex catalog.
Due to its elegance and sheer modernity, the Rolex Cellini should be touted for its polished versatility. Whether or not you ultimately want to add a Rolex Cellini to your collection is an entirely personal decision. However, it is an undeniable fact that the Rolex Cellini is the brand’s most elegant and refined collection of watches and offers an excellent value for money, especially when purchased on the pre-owned market.
Having said that, we hope that the next time you see a fake Rolex Cellini, you take at least one more look at it and see it as more than just a replica watch, but as an important part of Rolex’s history and brand identity.