Mark Zuckerberg has quietly developed a reputation for wearing some of the most coveted watches in the world, but his latest appearance may have revealed one of the most remarkable pieces yet. The Meta founder was recently spotted wearing a Rolex ref. 6062 “Stelline,” an extraordinarily rare vintage reference that today ranks among the most desirable and valuable watches ever produced by the iconic Swiss watch brand. Depending on configuration, condition, and provenance, examples can command prices well into seven figures, with top specimens valued at around $2 million or more.
The timepiece appeared during Zuckerberg’s conversation on the No Priors podcast alongside his wife, Priscilla Chan, where the discussion revolved around artificial intelligence, scientific discovery, and the future of medical research. The couple spoke about the work being carried out through Biohub, an initiative backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative that aims to accelerate breakthroughs in biology and disease treatment by combining cutting-edge technology with scientific research. While the conversation focused on the future, watch enthusiasts were immediately drawn to a remarkable artifact from the past sitting quietly on Zuckerberg’s wrist.
A masterpiece from Rolex’s golden age
The Rolex ref. 6062 occupies a unique place in the brand’s history because it comes from a chapter that looks very different from the Rolex most people know today. Long before Submariners, GMT-Masters, and Daytonas became cultural icons, Rolex experimented with elegant yet complicated watches that blended technical sophistication with refined aesthetics. Introduced around 1950 and produced for only a brief period, the 6062 was one of just two Rolex references ever fitted with an automatic triple calendar and moonphase display, the other being the ref. 8171.
What made the 6062 especially significant was its combination of complexity and practicality. The watch featured a 36 mm Oyster case with a screw-down caseback, allowing Rolex to retain the waterproof credentials that had already become central to the brand’s identity. Inside was the automatic calibre 9 ¾ movement, while the dial displayed the day and month through twin apertures beneath twelve o’clock.
A central pointer hand tracked the date around the outer chapter ring, and a moonphase display occupied the six o’clock position. On Stelline examples, star-shaped hour markers replaced conventional indices, giving the watch its distinctive nickname and a celestial personality unlike anything else Rolex has produced.
The reference also carries an intriguing historical footnote. Years before the name became synonymous with the Daytona, Rolex reportedly used the term “Cosmograph” in advertising associated with the 6062. That detail has elevated the watch’s status among collectors, who often view it as a forgotten ancestor of one of Rolex’s most famous modern icons.
Why collectors pay millions for one
The 6062’s rarity is only part of its appeal. Collectors regard it as one of the most complete expressions of vintage Rolex watchmaking, bringing together precious metals, advanced complications, and the Oyster architecture in a way the company would rarely revisit. Surviving examples are scarce, and original dials, especially on Stelline variants, can dramatically influence value.
The market has repeatedly demonstrated just how coveted the reference has become. A beautifully preserved pink-gold Stelline was auctioned by Christie’s in 2023 for 2.2 million Swiss francs (about $2.7 million), reinforcing its status among the most important vintage Rolex watches ever made. Even more astonishing was the sale of an ultra-rare black-dial example with diamond indices, which fetched an extraordinary $6.2 million last year and ranks among the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold.
For a billionaire known for embracing technology and looking toward the future, the choice of a Rolex 6062 feels particularly fitting. It is a watch built not merely to tell time but to track the rhythms of days, months, and lunar cycles, a mechanical reminder that some of the most extraordinary achievements in engineering were created long before the digital age arrived.
