Mark Zuckerberg's vintage $2 million Rolex from the 1950s isn't just a luxury watch, it tracks the Moon's cycles and is one of only two models ever made with this feature
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently caught the attention of watch enthusiasts after appearing with a rare vintage Rolex estimated to be worth around $2 million. While the conversation focused on how artificial intelligence could accelerate scientific and medical research, many viewers noticed the timepiece on his wrist instead. The watch, a Rolex Reference 6062 "Stelline" from the early 1950s, is far more than a luxury accessory. It combines a moonphase display, a triple calendar and an automatic movement in a design regarded as one of Rolex's greatest achievements. Produced in limited numbers for only a short period, the model has become one of the most sought-after vintage Rolex watches among collectors worldwide.
Why is Mark Zuckerberg's $2 million vintage Rolex so special?
The Rolex Reference 6062, commonly known as the "Stelline" because of its distinctive star-shaped hour markers, was introduced around 1950 during what many collectors consider Rolex's golden era. Unlike most Rolex watches of its time, which focused on durability and everyday wear, the 6062 showcased the brand's ability to create highly complicated mechanical timepieces. It was produced in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel variants, with precious metal models being especially rare and valuable today.
One of the biggest reasons for its legendary status is that the Reference 6062 is one of only two Rolex references ever made to combine an automatic self-winding movement , a triple calendar and a moonphase complication in a single wristwatch. The other model, the Reference 8171, featured a larger case and a different design. This combination has made the 6062 one of the most celebrated achievements in Rolex's history.
How does the moonphase feature work?
The moonphase display is one of the watch's most fascinating complications. A rotating disc beneath the dial illustrates the changing phases of the Moon, including the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter. The mechanism completes a cycle roughly every 29.5 days, closely matching the Moon's natural lunar cycle.
Before the digital age, moonphase displays had practical uses in navigation, astronomy and even agriculture, where lunar cycles were used to plan certain activities. Today, they are admired primarily for their mechanical complexity and the craftsmanship required to incorporate them into a wristwatch.
What else can the watch do?
Beyond displaying the time, the Rolex 6062 also features a triple calendar, showing the day of the week, the date and the month. It is powered by Rolex's automatic self-winding movement, allowing it to wind itself through the natural motion of the wearer's wrist.
Combining all these functions in a relatively compact wristwatch during the early 1950s was an extraordinary technical accomplishment. At a time when many mechanical watches offered only basic timekeeping, the Reference 6062 demonstrated Rolex's expertise in producing sophisticated complications without compromising reliability or elegance.
Why is it worth around $2 million?
The value of the Rolex Reference 6062 is driven by a combination of rarity, historical importance and demand among collectors. Production lasted only a few years, leaving a relatively small number of surviving examples. Watches retaining their original dial, movement, hands and case are particularly prized because untouched examples have become increasingly difficult to find.
Auction prices can vary widely depending on the watch's condition, metal, originality and documented ownership history, with exceptional examples selling for well over $2 million. Among vintage Rolex collectors, the 6062 is widely regarded as a "grail watch" because of its scarcity and significance in the brand's history.
Mark Zuckerberg’s discussion while wearing the watch
Zuckerberg wore the vintage Rolex during an appearance on the No Priors podcast alongside his wife, Priscilla Chan. The discussion focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in scientific research, particularly its ability to analyse complex biological data, generate new scientific hypotheses and accelerate discoveries in medicine.
The conversation also highlighted Meta's broader efforts in AI-powered science through initiatives aimed at helping researchers better understand cells, proteins and diseases. Zuckerberg suggested that increasingly capable AI systems could significantly reduce the time required for certain stages of biomedical research, potentially speeding up the development of new treatments.
Why is Mark Zuckerberg's $2 million vintage Rolex so special?
The Rolex Reference 6062, commonly known as the "Stelline" because of its distinctive star-shaped hour markers, was introduced around 1950 during what many collectors consider Rolex's golden era. Unlike most Rolex watches of its time, which focused on durability and everyday wear, the 6062 showcased the brand's ability to create highly complicated mechanical timepieces. It was produced in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel variants, with precious metal models being especially rare and valuable today.
One of the biggest reasons for its legendary status is that the Reference 6062 is one of only two Rolex references ever made to combine an automatic self-winding movement , a triple calendar and a moonphase complication in a single wristwatch. The other model, the Reference 8171, featured a larger case and a different design. This combination has made the 6062 one of the most celebrated achievements in Rolex's history.
How does the moonphase feature work?
The moonphase display is one of the watch's most fascinating complications. A rotating disc beneath the dial illustrates the changing phases of the Moon, including the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter. The mechanism completes a cycle roughly every 29.5 days, closely matching the Moon's natural lunar cycle.
Before the digital age, moonphase displays had practical uses in navigation, astronomy and even agriculture, where lunar cycles were used to plan certain activities. Today, they are admired primarily for their mechanical complexity and the craftsmanship required to incorporate them into a wristwatch.
What else can the watch do?
Beyond displaying the time, the Rolex 6062 also features a triple calendar, showing the day of the week, the date and the month. It is powered by Rolex's automatic self-winding movement, allowing it to wind itself through the natural motion of the wearer's wrist.
Combining all these functions in a relatively compact wristwatch during the early 1950s was an extraordinary technical accomplishment. At a time when many mechanical watches offered only basic timekeeping, the Reference 6062 demonstrated Rolex's expertise in producing sophisticated complications without compromising reliability or elegance.
Why is it worth around $2 million?
Auction prices can vary widely depending on the watch's condition, metal, originality and documented ownership history, with exceptional examples selling for well over $2 million. Among vintage Rolex collectors, the 6062 is widely regarded as a "grail watch" because of its scarcity and significance in the brand's history.
Mark Zuckerberg’s discussion while wearing the watch
The conversation also highlighted Meta's broader efforts in AI-powered science through initiatives aimed at helping researchers better understand cells, proteins and diseases. Zuckerberg suggested that increasingly capable AI systems could significantly reduce the time required for certain stages of biomedical research, potentially speeding up the development of new treatments.
Next Story