Rolex with Moon Phases – Moon Phase Rolex Watches
Rolex is not like most other watch companies. Rolex does most things differently from other competitors, including everything from designing to development, and manufacturing. Rolex calls it “the Rolex way”.
The company primarily focuses on building robust and functional tool watches for professional or everyday use with an emphasis on function and performance. The watches are built to last for generations and to keep on ticking for years to come. With that said, Rolex doesn’t focus a lot on Haute Horlogerie in terms of movement decoration and complications. Although Rolex has some complicated movements, namely for the Yacht-Master II and Sky-Dweller, these watches are first and foremost built for performance and durability. Rolex, for example, doesn’t have a perpetual calendar in its line of watches, nor tourbillons, which competitors like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe have, which focuses on showcasing the watchmaking expertise of complicated movements.
The moon phase is also one such function. But whilst Rolex by no means has doubled down on making moon phase watches, the company does have a selection of moon phase watches in its list of models that the company has created. Most of them, however, are from Rolex’s earlier days when the company was still establishing itself and worked to develop a strategy for what it would focus and double down on.
In this article, we have compiled an extensive list of Rolex watches with moon phase watches. Compared to other manufacturers, Rolex’s selection of moon phase watches is limited and the watches are relatively uncommon. But that’s also what makes it so interesting. Because the fact of the matter is that a lot of people don’t even know Rolex has ever made moon phase watches.
In Rolex’s own words:
“The first Rolex model displaying a moon phase indicator was launched in 1949. The following year, Rolex introduced the first version with a waterproof Oyster case. The new Cellini Moonphase is a contemporary reinterpretation of timeless elegance.”
In total, Rolex has only ever made three different references featuring a moon phase. Two vintage models, and one modern. In turn, the first two models were available in different iterations and dial designs, but the core models remained unchanged. The two first moon phase watches are references 8171 and 6062.
Because Rolex has not focused a lot on these types of “haute horlogerie” complications, people were surprised when Rolex released its first moon phase watch in 50 years, the Cellini moonphase.
The first two moon phase watches that Rolex made were automatic. The key difference is that the 8171 has a snap-on case back and is not water-resistant. Referrence 6062 has an Oyster case and is therefore equipped with a water-resistant type screw back.
List of Rolex watches with moon phase function
Triple calendar moon phase 8171 (the first Rolex moonphase)
The Rolex 8171 moon phase was produced in low numbers from around 1949 to 1952. Most examples were made in 1952 but there are some very rare examples in stainless steel and pink gold.
6062
Rolex is responsible for a bunch of world’s-first and innovations. When Rolex released the 6062, it was the first automatic triple calendar moonphase watch in a waterproof Oyster case. At the time, this was a very complicated feat as Rolex combined the elegance and delicacy of complicated functions with the sportiness of an Oyster case. The watch is powered by the caliber 655. It is estimated that Rolex ever only made 200-300 examples of this reference. This makes it an extremely rare watch, which is reflected by the auction prices that they sell for on the rare occasions that they do come for sale.
Cellini 50535
The Cellini moon-phase reference 50535 is the first moon phase watch to be released by Tudor in half a century after the 6062 was taken out of production. This reference was released in 2017 and was released as a completely new design with a brand new movement from Rolex. It is crafted in 18k rose gold and it is the first watch in modern times that puts emphasis on the emotional aspect of watches where it’s not about practical functionality and durability. Instead, it’s about the art of fine watchmaking with a traditional, beautiful timepiece.
