Rolex Cellini Octagon ref. 4650
Cellini → 4650
Ref. 4650 is a manual-wind Cellini Octagon with a rectangular case and octagonal bezel. A 2026 Monaco Legend photograph shows “4650” and “4,332,509” stamped on the same caseback.
Core facts
| Detail | Documented record |
|---|---|
| Reference and family | 4650; Cellini Octagon |
| Movement | Manual-wind; four catalogues identify Cal. 1601 with 19 jewels. Cal. 1602 is reported on some later Octagons |
| Case | Rectangular, with an octagonal diamond-set bezel; 18K yellow- and white-gold examples are recorded |
| Dial examples | Plain Rolex-signed, lapis lazuli, satin gold, mahogany, and wood; Artcurial identifies one pavé dial as non-original |
| Bracelet | Gold bracelets are documented; individual bracelet and clasp details vary by lot |
Where it sits in the line
Rolex dates the Cellini collection to 1968. Marcus Siems places ref. 4650 in the rectangular Octagon group with refs. 4350–4355, 4651, and 4652. Siems describes the 4650's bezel as a single row of diamonds; the 4651 and 4652 have two.
Production outline
Monaco Legend dates case 4,332,509 to about 1976. The Artcurial lot heading gives circa 1980; its essay places the case in a 1976 series. Christie's dates another example to about 1980; its guarantee is dated 13 November 1980. Heritage dates its yellow-gold example to circa 1990.
Movement notes
Cal. 1601, with 19 jewels, appears in the ref. 4650 listings from Monaco Legend, Heritage, Eppli, and Artcurial. Christie's describes a manual movement but gives no caliber. Siems and Artcurial report Cal. 1602 in some later Octagons.
Dial map
Christie's lists a lapis-lazuli dial. Heritage describes satin-finished gold. CD Peacock calls its dial mahogany; Monaco Legend's photographs show a wood dial. For case 4,370,491, Artcurial says the pavé setting is not original and describes the original dial as plain and Rolex-signed.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes
Heritage and Eppli each count 50 diamonds in the bezel. Case measurements vary: Christie's gives 27 × 35 mm, Heritage and Monaco Legend 27 × 36 mm, and Artcurial 26 × 36 mm. Eppli gives an approximate 26.5 mm diameter, so its figure is not directly comparable.
Monaco Legend describes case 4,332,509 as 18K yellow gold; Eppli records an 18K white-gold example. Heritage specifies a flat sapphire crystal on its circa-1990 watch.
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Angled case and bracelet view, case 4,332,509. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions. -
Caseback stamped 4650 and 4,332,509. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions.
Bracelet, clasp, and packaging notes
The bracelet on case 4,332,509 is 18K yellow gold and about 195 mm long, according to Monaco Legend. Its clasp is stamped Rolex, Geneva, 18K, and 750. Christie's lists an 18K gold Rolex bracelet; Heritage describes an integral gold link bracelet. Siems notes that the bracelet attaches with spring bars.
Monaco Legend's lot includes a Rolex booklet and fitted presentation box.
Auction record
| Date | House and lot | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 2012 | Heritage, lot 60085 | Yellow-gold ref. 4650, circa 1990; Cal. 1601, 19 jewels; satin-gold dial; 50-diamond bezel; link bracelet; not sold |
| 1 April 2021 | Christie's, lot 6 | Ref. 4650, circa 1980; lapis-lazuli dial; 18K gold and diamond setting; guarantee dated 13 November 1980 |
| 5 August 2023 | Eppli, lot 307 | White-gold ref. 4650, serial 4,333,714; Cal. 1601; 50-diamond bezel; approximately 26.5 mm |
| 4 June 2026 | Monaco Legend, lot 3 | Case 4,332,509 stamped 4650; circa 1976; yellow gold; wood dial; manual Cal. 1601, 19 jewels; Rolex bracelet |
| 6 July 2026 | Artcurial, lot 13 | Case 4,370,491; circa 1980 heading and 1976-series essay; Cal. 1601; pavé dial setting identified as non-original |
Gallery
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Ref. 4650, case 4,332,509. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions. -
Wood dial on case 4,332,509. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions. -
Angled case and bracelet view. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions.
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Caseback stamp: 4650 and 4,332,509. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions.
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Rolex 18K/750 clasp marks. Monaco Legend lot 3 (2026). Photo: Monaco Legend Auctions.
Sources
- Rolex, "Rolex History, 2021 Italian edition — Cellini collection", Rolex, 2021
- Colin A. White, The Vintage Rolex Field Manual — Cellini reference table, ref. 4650 — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra, 2020
- Marcus Siems, "Marcus Siems, 'Cellini Renaissance — Rolex's 1970s Interpretation of the Octagon'", Goldammer, 2024-11-27
- "Christie's, Single Owner Watches Online: An Important Private Asian Collection Part VI, lot 6 — Cellini ref. 4650", Christie's, 2021-04-01
- "Heritage Auctions, Timepieces Signature Auction 5097, lot 60085 — Cellini ref. 4650", Heritage Auctions, 2012-05-19
- "Eppli, Luxus- & Vintage-Uhren, lot 307 — Cellini ref. 4650, serial 4333714", Eppli, 2023-08-05
- "Artcurial, Le temps est Féminin, lot 13 — Cellini Octagon ref. 4650, case 4370491", Artcurial, 2026-07-06
- "Monaco Legend Auctions, Exclusive Timepieces, lot 3 — Cellini ref. 4650, case 4,332,509", Monaco Legend Auctions, 2026-06-04
- "CD Peacock, Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Cellini ref. 4650/8, item 592-3003578", CD Peacock