Named for the Benvenuto Cellini, the Italian master sculptor and goldsmith of the Renaissance age, the Cellini is the most classic and noble of all Rolex model families. Over the years, the Cellini has been presented in various case shapes and sizes but always in precious metals. The dressiest of all Rolex models, the Cellini wristwatches skipped the Oyster case construction synonymous with the brand’s watches and often focused on interesting angular and unconventional shapes and gem-set cases.

The present timepiece's rarity is further enhanced by its "Khanjar dial". It was common practice among Gulf royals to gift watches with their signature or the official coat-of-arms on the dial. Eventually these watches found their way into the secondary or vintage market after those that received these watches sold them on.