Modern Rolex Cellini Buying Guide | The Watch Club by SwissWatchExpo

The Rolex Cellini line stands out among Rolex’s purpose-built tool watches with its lush style, sophisticated looks, and diverse assortment of designs that cater to just about any taste. Introduced in the 1960s, its concept is a distinct step away from the sporty and robust Oyster-cased watches of the brand such as the Submariner and the GMT-Master. Instead of strictly focusing on functionality, the Cellini placed emphasis on the appearance and the use of precious stones and metals.

Refined and tasteful, this collection began as a catch-all for the brand’s elegant, dress-oriented timepieces that carry various shapes, material options, and sizes.

In 2014, Rolex revamped the entire Cellini lineup to be more cohesive. Rather than housing a bevy of watches with varied aesthetics, today’s Cellini offers timepieces with a unified yet still elegant design DNA.

Here are the models available in the modern Rolex Cellini line:

Rolex Cellini Date and Cellini Dual Time

Key Characteristics of the Modern Rolex Cellini

Throughout its history, Rolex has introduced a variety of Cellini watches inspired by the works of its namesake, Florentine goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini. These include the cushion-shaped Danaos, the geometric King Midas, and the rectangular Prince. For many years, the Cellini collection was defined by its eclectic assortment of designs.

In 2014, the brand standardized the Cellini collection, bringing the timepiece up to date while maintaining its graceful appeal through classic watchmaking design codes.

Rolex Cellini Date and Cellini Dual Time

Current Cellini watches are housed in large, 39mm round cases, crafted from either 18k white gold or Rolex’s proprietary Everose gold. Moreover, they come with double decorative bezels — one sporting a domed format, and another delicately fluted.

They are water-resistant to 50 meters, achieved through a domed caseback and a flared crown screwed down to the case; and are powered by a chronometer-certified automatic movement. A handful of elegant dial styles were made available, from sunburst and lacquered to guilloche finishes. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal provides protection against external threats.

Rolex Cellini Dual Time and Cellini Moonphase

Key Models of the Modern Rolex Cellini Line

The modern Cellini family is composed of four main models – the Time, Date, Dual Time, Moonphase editions. The first three were introduced in 2014 during Baselworld in line with the collection’s relaunch, followed by the Moonphase in 2017.

Rolex Cellini Time

The simplest model in the collection, the Cellini Time, is an elegant expression of the simple three-hand watch. It comes exclusively in 18k white and Everose gold casings, and either black or brown leather straps, whose buckle matches the gold of the watch case.

Rolex Cellini Time Everose Gold White Dial and Black Dial Ref. 50505

Elegant modernity is expressed through lacquered white or black dials, while stylized, applique hour markers made in matching white or Everose gold, and elongated Roman numerals result in increased readability.

Instead of gracing the outer rim, the minute track bisects the hour markers, and appears closer to the center of the dial. The time-only design was also made more striking with options of a diamond-set bezel and indices.

Rolex Cellini Date

Next, we have the Rolex Cellini Date, equipped with a medium-sized date indicator at 3 o’clock. Instead of a standard date window, this model displays the date through a circular sub-dial.

Rolex Cellini Date White Gold Black Dial and Blue Dial Ref. 50519

This model is offered in 18k white gold and Everose gold, much like the Cellini Time. What makes the Cellini Date special is the “Rayon flammé de la gloire” guilloché dial, decorated with subtle lines, thin baton hour markers, and a minute track pushed towards the center. Alongside neutral dial colors like black and silver, there is also a blue dial version, complemented with a leather strap of the same tone.

Rolex Cellini Dual Time

The Rolex Cellini Dual Time gives the best of both worlds – the ability to display two time zones simultaneously, and the polished versatility of a dress watch. Rather than using a GMT bezel, the second time zone is displayed on a sub-dial at 6 o’clock, while the local time is shown via the central hand. A day and night indicator shows the sun and moon.

Rolex Cellini Dual Time Everose Gold Black Dial and Silver Dial Ref. 50525

Yet again, this watch comes in a choice of either an 18k white gold or Everose gold case, and a black or brown leather strap. Sporting a guilloché motif, the dial—offered in black, white, or brown—houses gleaming split baton indices and an inner minute track.

The watch runs on an in-house 3180 self-winding movement with an impressive accuracy of +2 / -2 seconds per day.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase

The latest addition to the Cellini family is the Cellini Moonphase, unveiled in 2017. This complicated dress model is the first Rolex to include a moon phase indicator since the 1950s.

Unlike the previous models, this watch is available only in 18k Everose gold, furnished with a glossy white lacquered dial instead of a guilloché design. In addition to the divided baton indices, there’s also a blue hand with a crescent moon tip that points to the numbers in the date display sitting around the dial’s outer rim.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535

Bringing back a quaint complication, the model’s moonphase feature is shown using a blue enameled disc at 6 o’clock, with an appliqué meteorite moon sitting at the top and a simple silver ring at the bottom. You will also find an Everose gold arrow under the dauphine hands and the Calibre 3195 at its core.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535

With the modern Rolex Cellini’s timeless looks and intuitive features, Rolex succeeds in creating an exceptional line of dress watches that will never go out of style. Explore our selection of modern Rolex Cellini watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.