Rolex Cellini Time, Date and Dual Time

The most famous watch brand from Geneva did not only shocked the World with their new range of Rolex Oyster models, but also introduced a range of watches that belong to the Rolex Cellini collection. Admitted, I don’t have a lot going on for the previous Cellini models and that includes the revamped Cellini Prince models. However, I was happily surprised to see that Rolex came up with classic but modern-sized dress watches in Basel.

Rolex introduces three different versions of the Cellini: Cellini Time, Cellini Date and Cellini Dual Time. Each available in two different materials for the case and buckle, namely 18 carat white gold and 18 carat Everose gold. Each version is then also available in two different dial colors. The Cellini Time comes with either a black or white lacquered dial and the Cellini Date and Cellini Dual Time come with either a black or silver dial featuring this so-called “rayon flammé de la gloire” guilloche motif. So in total, there are 12 variations of the new Rolex Cellini model. 

The Rolex Cellini models have a 39mm polished gold case with a double bezel, fluted and domed. The domed screw down case back also has the fluted pattern. I assume that this fluted pattern on the case back is also used to open-up the case with a special Rolex tool that grabs into the pattern, like it is done with the Oyster cases. As you can see on the photos above and below, the flared winding crown features the Rolex emblem. No dots below the emblem of course, as it is not an Oyster case and therefore ‘only’ waterproof to 50 meters (5 ATM).

Rolex is a bit cryptic about the movements they used for the new Cellini collection. There is no specific mention of the caliber that is inside, but where you expect a dress watch like this to have a hand-wound caliber it is actually a self-winding movement. All manufactured in-house of course, including the blue Parachrom hairspring. I assume that these movements are very similar to the movements Rolex already used for their Datejust, Submariner, Sea-Dweller [etc] watches.

The Rolex Cellini Date (reference 50515 for the Everose gold versions, reference 50519 for the 18 carat white gold versions) adds a bit more punch on the dial than the Rolex Cellini with lacquered dials (reference 50505 for the Everose versions, reference 50509 for the 18 carat white gold versions) in my opinion. I guess I am not a fan of the printed Roman numerals on the lacquered dials. The guilloché dials also tend to play a bit more with the rays of Sun light.

My favorite Rolex Cellini of the bunch is definitely the reference 50525 in Everose gold with black guilloché dial. A perfect rose gold dress watch with mesmerizing dial and pink gold hands and hour markers. The 39mm case diameter is about perfect for everyone whether you have small wrists or large wrists, for a dress watch it is all fine. The Dual Time also has a day / night indicator in the small sub dial at 6 o’clock. There is a Moon or a Sun symbol on 9 o’clock of that sub dial, which makes it easy to differentiate between daily hours or nightly hours. A more elegant solution than to use a 24 hour indicator on a non-sports watch, in my opinion.

All the Rolex Cellini models come on a beautiful alligator strap with an 18 carat gold buckle (again, either white gold or Everose gold). As you can see on the photos that we (Bert)  took, the shiny alligator straps has a nice curve that follows the shape of the watch case between the lugs.

The new Rolex Cellini models start at 11,000 Euro. We will give more info on pricing as soon as it becomes available. More information can be found on the Baselworld 2014 section on the official Rolex SA website here.