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Brand Rolex Replica

When The Crown Goes Classic… The Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535

Usually, when you imagine a replica watch bearing the name Rolex, it is something purpose-built, casual-sporty (not always, and the ‘dressiest’ in the collection is a Day-Date) and simple in terms of complications (with the exception of the Sky-Dweller… but it is one replica watch among mainly time-and-date pieces). In 2014, Rolex revived a name synonymous of elegant dress replica watches: Cellini. Built with a classic round case, this replica watch already introduced several complications, with all of them being rather practical. But what if The Crown goes where you don’t expect them to go… into astronomical complications. Not very Rolex you’ll probably say, however that’s exactly what they did with the new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 and it looks great! 

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

“A Rolex with a moon-phase display? Isn’t every Rolex built around a single purpose? In that perspective, the moon-phase complication is kind of odd”

The new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 indicates hours, minutes, seconds, the moon phase and the date by means of a date pointer hand. The moon-phase indication on a wrist replica watch is, let’s be honest, kind of useless. When did you check the age of the moon phase? This complication is probably best labeled ‘poetical’. The concept of Rolex has been for a long time, to offer one replica watch for one purpose – Submariner for divers, Explorer for adventurers, GMT-Master for travelers, Daytona for race drivers (at least, that’s how Rolex replica watches are advertised). How true this statement can be for the Oyster collection, Rolex’s catalogue also comprises a another range of replica watches, very different from the Osyters and, admittedly, a perfect base to explore different territories, including precious and rare materials, specific craftsmanships or other type of complications. It’s in this context that the Cellini Moonphase comes to life.

Rolex 6062 Stelline - Source: Phillips Replica Watches Source: Phillips Replica Watches Rolex 8171 Moonphase padellone - Source: Antiquorum Source: Antiquorum

Before Rolex started making the replica watches that we know today, they had several replica watches with a moon-phase indication – a few only, and those few are rare and sought-after. There are actually two models that we can think of, that possibly influenced the design of the new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 in terms of style but also in terms of display. These two are icons and auction-stars: the Rolex 6062 “Stelline” and the Rolex 8171 “Padellone”. The first one was made only for some three years in the early 1950s. The second one, which features a more generous 38mm case (vs. 36mm), was made also during the early 1950s, and for a very short period. Both had the same display: two windows for the day of the week and the month, and more interestingly for today, the date on the periphery and the phases of the moon in an off-centre dial at 6 o’clock… just like the new Cellini Moonphase.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

Usually, The Crown is not so keen on doing vintage-oriented pieces, however with this Rolex Cellini Moonphase, we can’t help ourselves in thinking about the references 8171 and the 6062. Of course, it has nothing to do with a simple “recreation” of an old model, but the inspiration is rather clear, and extremely classical in the execution. We knew that the new, round Cellini was the field for such traditional complications, a bit away from Rolex habits, and this new moon version doesn’t contradict. We even started to dream about triple-calendar, annual calendar or even perpetual calendar versions – which officially never existed at Rolex, but still did unofficially. This Cellini Moonphase is different, not very Rolex at first but still feels Rolex, when seen under historical eyes. And honestly, it feels pleasant to see something drastically different from the usual Sub / GMT / Datejust.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

Let’s first talk display. The new Rolex Cellini Moonphase plays on extremely classical, balanced and elegant themes, with a display that recalls 1950s replica watches (not only from Rolex, as this type of replica watches were highly successful at that time): the moonphase at 6, the date indicated by an elongated central hand and a date track on the very periphery of the dial… but without the usual day and month windows at 12. This absence of calendar indication doesn’t remove anything to the beauty of such display, perfectly suitable in the context of a dress replica watch: balanced, elegant, discreet and legible. And because we talk Rolex, of course every indication is perfectly distinct from the others (minute track, hour indexes and date track are well positioned and well separated). And then, there’s the moon at 6.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

On the contrary of most replica watches, the Rolex Cellini Moonphase uses a display that differs slightly from the crowd. Usually, moonphase indications are semi-circular windows which show a partial to full indication of the moon (or none at new moon), with a discs that rotates on 59 teeth (2 x 29.5 days). Here, no semi-circular window but a full disc, with both the full and the new moon, meaning that the disc rotates once every 29.5 days (maybe a bit more precise in terms of adjustment). The age of the moon is pointed by a triangular gold marker just below the axle of the hands. Correcting the age of the moon is done via a recessed pusher at 8, with a dedicated tool (we would have preferred a correction by the crown…)

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

In terms of materials and execution, this moon disc is absolutely superb – and something actually very new for Rolex, not so used to rare materials and fine craftsmanship. Indeed, the blue color is obtained by an enameling process (not painted or lacquered), with stars and new moon with a gilt color. The moon is crafted from a meteorite disc, with multiple details. The whole display is really pleasant and satisfying in terms of quality and preciousness. This moon is circled by a double gold ring, again adding some depth to the dial.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

As for the dial, the Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 uses the simple white lacquered version. While on the time-only version, this white lacquered plate could seem quite strict and plain, and the other versions with “rayons flammés de la gloire” guilloche pattern were more appealing, Rolex did the right choice here to keep it clean and simple. Applied indexes and hands are matching the 18k Everose gold case (the only option available for the moment), to the exception of the blued date hand. The case remains identical to the previous versions, with a 39mm, a slightly “bubble back” style and a finely fluted bezel. It is attached on a brown strap, with for the first time, a folding clasp named “Crownclasp“.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase 50535 - Baselworld 2017

Inside we find the “Superlative Chronometer” calibre 3195, derived from the other movements used in the Cellini collection, meaning -2/+2 seconds per day precision, 5 years warranty, automatic winding, antimagnetic Parachrom spiral, 4Hz frequency and 48 hours of power reserve – this movement uses as a base the calibre 3130 of the Oyster Perpetual 36 for instance, with added complications on top. So to say, a workhorse that will never defeat.

Overall, with this new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535, we are facing an elegant, very balanced and (as a non-surprise) very well executed replica watch. The addition of such useless but traditional complication opens the door to many possible evolutions for the Cellini collection… Who knows, we can dream of a QP or a triple calendar soon. This replica watch will be available in September 2017 and priced at EUR 24,550. Rolex.com.


Technical Specifications – Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535

  • Case: 39mm diameter – 18k Everose gold, polished, fluted bezel – sapphire crystal on the dial side, plain caseback – 50m water resistant
  • Movement: Calibre 3195, in-house, Chronometer certified – automatic with perpetual rotor – 4Hz frequency – 48h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date and age of the moon
  • Strap: brown alligator with folding clasp
  • Reference: 50535
  • Availability: September 2017
  • Price: EUR 24,550 – USD 26,750 – CHF 25,550