Do you want a 24K gold camera? This beautiful gold-plated Rollei 35 adds even more of a drop to an analog icon

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Credit: Retrospekt

Gold cameras can be pretty hit and miss, but I’m seriously drooling over this Rollei 35 that’s covered in 24K gold.

The Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera is the latest release from the higher-end upcyclers of Retrospekt, a Milwaukee-based company that refurbishes vintage technology – and specializes in classic camera gear.

While the company previously focused on cult collaborations with brands like Hello Kitty And Barbieenters the luxury country with its latest launch.

Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera on a leather sofa in a luxury home

As you would expect, the Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition is a fully restored Rollei 35 camera from the 1970s. The internal workings have been carefully renovated to factory-new functionality, and the exterior metal shell is electroplated with 24-carat gold (plating specification MIL -G-45204; 99.7% purity, if that means anything to you).

Of interest to collectors is the fact that your Rollei will be one of four different variants:

Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera on a leather sofa in a luxury home

Version 1
• Made in Germany
• Produced until ~1971
• Marked “Made by Rollei in Germany” on the bottom
• Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar 40mm f/3.5 inch Compur shutter

Versions 2 and 3
(Transitional production – parts were made in Germany and Japan and then shipped to Singapore while the production facility was set up)
• Produced from 1971-1973
• Marked “Made by Rollei Singapore”
• Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar 40mm ƒ3.5, or Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 40mm f/3.5 in Compur (Germany)

Version 4
• Made in Singapore
(Some were made in Germany and Japan, but from 1973 almost everything was made in Singapore)
• Marked “Made by Rollei Singapore”
• Lens: Rollei Tessar 40mm f/3.5 inch Copal (Japan) shutter

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Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera against a white background

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Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera against a white background

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Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera against a white background

All cameras come with a custom leather camera case, wrist strap and lens accessories, presented in prestigious packaging.

It’s worth noting that the gold will patina just like the copper on other vintage cameras, which isn’t necessarily what you want. You must therefore be careful that the housing does not oxidize.

The Rollei 35 Retrospect 24K Gold Edition is now available for $999 / £782 (Australian pricing yet to be confirmed). If you don’t have that much bench, or you want a modern Rollei with autofocus, take a look at the Rollei 35AF with LiDAR!

Rollei 35 Retrospekt 24K Gold Edition camera being held by a person in suit wearing gold rings

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