Rolex Centenario Cellini "One of One 1921" 6/10 mk2 Ref.3612 from 1995

The History of the Rolex Centenario Coin Watch

The Rolex Centenario Coin Watch is one of the rarest and least documented vintage Rolex references ever produced.

Its story begins with the Mexican 50 Peso Centenario gold coin, first minted in 1921 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Córdoba and Mexico's independence. Struck in 22-karat gold, the Centenario has become one of the world's most iconic bullion coins.

Around 1971, Rolex produced an exceptionally limited series of just 10 Centenario Coin Watches, using the reference 3612 as the base and housing the movement within authentic Centenario gold coins.

Our research has confirmed that a Rolex retailer in Mexico City received two examples over a seven-year period, which may explain why these first-generation watches appear across a relatively broad serial-number range despite their extremely limited production.

The first series was manufactured using nine 1947-dated Centenario coins and one documented 1946-dated coin. 

These early watches, now commonly referred to as the Mk1, can be identified by several distinctive features:

• 38 mm case
• Thin lugs
• Exposed pusher
• 22-karat Mexican Centenario gold coin case

For many years, collectors believed these ten watches represented the complete production of the Rolex Centenario.

Subsequent research has shown that this was not the case.

In 1995, Rolex produced a second and final series of 10 additional watches, identifiable by their W-series serial numbers.

The second series where manufactured using nine 1947-dated Centenario coins and one documented 1921-dated coin.

The original 1921 Centenario holds a special place as the first issue of one of Mexico’s most iconic gold coins and the coin itself is over 100 years old.  It was minted to mark the centenary of the consummation of Mexican Independence in 1821. On the reverse, Winged Victory stands above the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—a design that brings together national history and numismatic artistry. Banco de México says it was “coined in 1921 as hard currency to commemorate the first 100 years” of Mexican Independence. 

Its rarity lies in the date: only 180,000 coins were minted in 1921, up to 2009 the amount of coins minted was more than 20,000,000 coins in total. compared with the much larger later restrikes, many bearing the date 1947. That makes an authentic 1921 example—especially one in well-preserved condition—difficult to find. It is more than a gold Centenario: it is the first chapter in the coin’s history.

https://www.pcgs.com/news/gold-bullion-spotlight-mexico-centenario-coins?.com

Known as the Mk2, this second generation incorporated several refinements while preserving the original concept:

• Larger 39 mm case
• Thicker, more robust lugs
• Reinforced overall construction
• Discreet hidden pusher replacing the exposed pusher of the Mk1

While the first-generation watches are earlier, collectors tend to lean for the Mk2——the Mk2 represents the final evolution of the Rolex Centenario, combining the exclusivity of the original concept with meaningful improvements in durability and construction.

With a documented production of only 20 examples across both generations, the Rolex Centenario Coin Watch stands among the rarest special-order Rolex watches ever created and remains one of the most elusive pieces for collectors of historically significant vintage Rolex timepieces.

Brand: Rolex
Model: Coin Watch
Year of manufacture: 1995
Serial number: W0445xx.  6/10
Material: 18k gold and 22k gold
Dimensions: 39mm thickness 5mm
Reference number: 3612
Type of movement:Hand-Wound
Bracelet size: 21mm
Bracelet: Original rolex alligator strap and buckle
Box/Papers: Watch Only

Comments: Unpolished condition, keeping excellent time. Original strap slightly worn.