The Rolex Milgauss

[Tools]

Originally introduced in 1954 for people who worked around strong magnetic fields such as power plant workers, hospital employees, and research laboratories.

Current production models, using Faraday Cage construction, are good for work around 1,000 Gauss

Milgauss Reference Numbers: 6451, 1019, 116400

Date of production: 1954 to ~1975, 2007 to current

Movements: 1019-1580 & 116400-3131

Case size: 1019-38mm 116400-40mm

Power Reserve: ~44 hours

Photographs:

Dial. Matt Black
(Photos courtesy of Mike)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/ML16.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/ML3.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/ML13.jpg

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Please allow me to qoute this nice overview over the history of the Milgauss watches, posted by Mike on 2008-05-25:

(...)

I'm certainly no expert on the Milgauss and will quickly defer to those who have done more research in the reference than I have. I did a bit of reading/research on the reference prior to getting mine.

Any discussion on the Milgauss must include the relationship between CERN--Counseil European pour la Recherche Nuclearire--a French concern based outside Geneva that controlls the world's largest cyclotron.

Born circa 1954 circumstantial evidence seems to find that CERN approached Rolex to create an anti-magnetic watch for use in it's enviornment.

The watch was to be used by scientists in magnetic fields and at least initially was not designed for public release.

It appears there were various incantations of the reference 6541 as Rolex refined the model with functions seemingly borrowed from the Submariner side of the house. This seems logical as this was the time Rolex was really getting into the "tool watch" business.

Never a popular model when finally released to the public the Milgauss now rests with the grails such as the Mil Sub and others.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/V293.jpg

PHOTO CREDIT BJSONLINE

Interestingly a much rarer model of the Milgauss than the 6541 exists, the reference 6543.

While the 6541 was anti-magnetic the 6543 was amagnetic. James Dowling indicates this was done by creating an escapement made from materials unaffected by magnetism and therefor rendering part of the farady cage in the Milgauss unnecessary. Estimates place the number of 6543s in existence at about 80. (CREDIT JAMES DOWLING)

In the 60s Rolex created another version of the Milgauss, the reference 1019.
The model used a 15xx movement and could be had in a couple of dial configurations including one called the CERN dial that was void of any luminous material. This was done, so they say, because CERN scientists working with the smallest particles of radiation could not have ANY radiation emitting from their watches. Estimates place the CERN version at around 5oo examples and information exists that the dial was at least an option to the general public. (though how well known an option I haven't a clue)

CERN DIAL 1019--CREDIT KEVIN O

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/nastoff/1019_cern_01.jpg

That Rolex chose to release a modern version of the Milgauss I think speaks to the regard the reference is held in by the vintage community.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/ML8.jpg

Hope this helps a little.:cheers:

[shedlock2000]

Excellent thread, thanks guys, i have a question regarding Gauss, and tesla, whats the difference in measurment, and what numerical value makes the two equivilent, ?

[brainbizz]

I believe 1 Tesla is 10,000 Gauss

[shedlock2000]

I believe 1 Tesla is 10,000 Gauss

Ahh, thanks, it came up in a recent thread. They made a amagnetic watch before, why did they not do this for the new release?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

As an interesting sidenote, the ONLY current Rolex watch that does not sport the laser etched coronet ("LEC") in the crystal is the Milgauss GV (green edged crystal):

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/millprint.jpg
(From a German watch forum. Pic originally posted by Jocke).

[Tommasi]

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/nastoff/1019_cern_01.jpg

My dad has this watch, any idea how much it is worth? Im not sure if its this exact dial, or a normal white face though.

[mike]

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/nastoff/1019_cern_01.jpg

My dad has this watch, any idea how much it is worth? Im not sure if its this exact dial, or a normal white face though.

That appears to be a CERN dial. If all correct a bit rare.:thumbsup: Check the above post on the history of the Milgauss.:cheers:

[Lubrifar]

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/nastoff/1019_cern_01.jpg

My dad has this watch, any idea how much it is worth? Im not sure if its this exact dial, or a normal white face though.

That is a nice Gauss! :thumbsup:

[achoi2]

2008 Rolex Milgauss White Dial M Serial - have rolex ever come out with exact watch but

"black" instead of white background

[cstegall]

Thanks for this review. About to buy a Milgauss and this really helped.

[Thaumaturgist]

Hi, does anyone know what the black markings opposite the bezel are for?
Does it represent anything?

[Trurolexer]

:cheers:Nice report Everyone!!!:cheers:

[Rolexcrownking]

That is a nice Gauss! :thumbsup:

Your watches price is £3,380 in the u.k

[Spare201]

You know I've wondered about the millgaus for a while. Doesn't the use of a parachrome hairspring and 904L kinda make the milgauss kinda, well redundant? The hairspring is really the only bit on a conventional watch that could be screwed up by magnetism. Parachrom kinda takes that out of the equation. All of the leaves and pinions are brass, pivots and bridges are steel though (still not enough for magnetism to cause a malfunction).