News! Rolex Releases new Cellini 52508 and 52509
The Cellini has always been a bit of an ugly duckling in Rolex’s lineup of watches. Although the Cellini collection has been in production almost consistently since its launch in 1986, it has always been overshadowed by Rolex’s other watches and never quite gotten the popularity that Rolex has hoped it would.
The Cellini is Rolex’s dress watch line of timepieces. Over the years, Rolex has produced hundreds of different iterations, references, and variations within the Cellini range. But what they have always had in common is that they are intended to be elegant, luxurious dress watches.
New Rolex Cellini 1908 52508 2023 background and history
In 2022, Rolex did something that indicated that Rolex was up to something with the Cellini. In the last couple of years, the Cellini was always a slow seller and it wasn’t very popular. Whilst it competed with brands like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet, most people associate Rolex with sports and tool watches, not luxurious dress watches. Other brands like Patek are far more well-known for this.
Regardless, in 2022, Rolex decided to discontinue virtually every Cellini model in the collection except for one, the 39m Cellini Moonphase. The fact that Rolex only decided to keep a single reference left in the whole Cellini line suggested that Rolex had something big going on in the next year, which is 2023.
And now the time has come.
It’s evident that Rolex felt that the Cellini needed a refresh and a restart to gain traction and finally get the popularity that Rolex wants it to have. Whether or not the Cellini line will grow in popularity remains to be seen but it’s regardless a step in the right direction for Rolex to boost the popularity of its dress watch line.
Introducing Rolex 1908 52508 and 52509
For 2023, Rolex has completely revamped the Cellini line and presented the Cellini 1908 reference 52508 and 52509. These are the same models but in yellow or white gold.
But one important thing to note here is that the Cellini line as of 2023 is now discontinued. Instead, the model’s true name is 1908. The name Cellini is no more. However, we think a lot of people will still continue to call it a Cellini because that’s what we associate Rolex’s dress watches with, despite the fact that the new model line is called 1908.
The Rolex 1908 reference 52508 is a stunning timepiece that exudes elegance and sophistication. It features a 39 mm case crafted from 18 kt yellow gold, paired with a luxurious alligator leather strap. The watch boasts a transparent case back, allowing for the intricate beauty of the movement to be admired, including the pivoting of the oscillating weight. The see-through case back gives a view of the new Rolex caliber 7140 which is equipped with a beautiful gold rotor and is beautifully finished.
One of the standout features of the new 1908 is its dial, which is a true work of art. Each dial is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, with a focus on color, reflections, and surface texture. The decorative elements and overall design combine to give the watch its unique and intrinsic character. Rolex masters all aspects of its dial creation in-house, from the initial sketches to the final inspection, with specific expertise employed in each step of the process. The watch is available either with a white or a black dial.
The watch’s slim case is crowned with a bezel that is part domed and part finely fluted, with the lower part given an elegant fluting and the upper part a classic dome. The 1908 reference 52508 is made with only the highest quality 18 kt gold alloys, cast in Rolex’s exclusive foundry. Depending on the proportion of silver, copper, platinum, or palladium added, different types of 18 kt gold are obtained, including yellow, pink, or white. The gold is then meticulously inspected and shaped with the same attention to detail, ensuring a long-lasting and impeccable result.
Overall, the Rolex 1908 reference 52508 is a true masterpiece of watchmaking, perfectly encapsulating the brand’s commitment to excellence in every aspect of its production.
It’s safe to say that Rolex completely revamped the Cellini line considering the fact that it has been discontinued altogether now. The Cellini dress watch line has been in production for many decades but now, Rolex put an end to it and replaced it with the new 1908 collection. And if you ask us, we can expect Rolex to add more watches to the 1908 collection in the future.
The Rolex 1908 reference 52509 is the exact same model as the watch discussed above but made in 18kt white gold instead of yellow for a stealthy and elegant look.
Rolex 1908 52508 and 52509 Specifications
- Diameter: 39mm
- Case: 18kt yellow gold or 18kt white gold
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
- Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
- Movement: Rolex caliber 7140
- Accuracy: +/-2 seconds
- Power reserve: 66 hours
- Caliber: 7140
- Dial: white or black.
