1959 milgauss 6541

[nedski7]

hello all i am new to the forum
i was hoping someone could shed some light on my late father's rolex
my father passed away some 25 years ago when i was a teen .
to make a long story short, he had a rolex milgauss he purchased in 1965 original box paperwork certificate receipts and payment book as well as a new band which he had replaced when new because he didn't like the original band .shown is just some of the papers everthing that came with the watch is still with it.
the reason for my query is i would like to buy this watch off my mother and would be will to pay her market value. as she could use the money and so there is no ill feeling from my other siblings. i was hoping some could place a value on this watch its a milgaus model 6541/203
Thanks in advance
Regards Ned

[upsidedownbelt]

I would contact the guys at HQ Milton about this.

[watchwatcher]

I don't know...but I would speculate a bunch.

Maybe post in the vintage section as well?

[Brenngun]

You don't see that every day. Likely in the low 6 figures based on other sales of same model. A little google searching and you'll start getting a good idea.

[tjbender]

Beautiful piece you have there. Definitely reach out to the guys at HQ Milton. Based on my quick research you're probably looking at a six figure price tag :)

[mschafer]

This is a very nice piece with full documents and bracelet. I hope you find a solution to be able to satisfy your families interest. Congrats. It probably could use a service visit at Rolex who could give an idea about value (speculating here), but DO NOT let them replace anything or polish...

[tjbender]

^ THIS!!!

Sorry, should have mentioned that. Do not let Rolex polish or replace ANYTHING! I'd even suggest not allowing them to touch the watch. Send it to someone like Los Angeles Watchworks, they're the best in the game and are the ones trusted by all of the major vintage dealers.

The watch you have is very rare, and the fact you have all the original docs will command a large premium. What you have is a collectors dream. As soon as something is replaced or polished you'll take a huge hit.

[Canefan1]

Really impressive. Guard that with your life.

[Rebel]

Wow.

[Dr.Smellody]

Incredible grail piece there!

[roh123]

Your mother would probably appreciate the 200k+ it is worth. ;)

Don’t rush any decisions on that watch. It is very rare and valuable. If you decide to sell; I would recommend putting it on auction with Phillips or Christies. You would probably do very well and you should be able to negotiate the selling fee to a minimum with the auction house. This is something they would love to sell during auction season.

The watch is most likely manufactured in the late 50’s. Around 1958. And complete like that it is basically a unicorn. Priceless.

[JR16]

Jaw-dropping! Big payday for your mom! Seriously though I would take it to an expert for appraisal and you may consider insuring it


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[roh123]

I’d be curious to see the offers you receive in PM. Probably somewhat entertaining.

[watchcrank]

What a wonderful watch. Always good to see these pop up. Gives us all hope we will find the watch in the haystack.

[OmegaManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by tjbender

Beautiful piece you have there. Definitely reach out to the guys at HQ Milton. Based on my quick research you're probably looking at a six figure price tag :)

Yes, see Jacek at HQ Milton

[onkyo]

I imagine you are going to get a lot of pms / offers. Be careful. That watch is very rare and valuable.

[dhknola]

What an amazing find!
Hope you can work it out with your fam, that's a legendary time piece!

[Erpin]

The last one I saw in Tokyo a year ago was priced at $150K. Congrats on an ultra rare watch.

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Neat! Good luck with whatever direction you and your family choose.

[Kingface66]

Just texted that first pic to my girlfriend with the story behind it. After some back and forth she sent: “Wait! Does that watch say MILLHOUSE??”

[DLRIDES]

Put some insurance on the watch immediately, contact Jacek at HQ Milton.

Please keep us informed !

[Mike Wood]

That is an inheritance! A really lovely set, your dad chose very well!

You will be looking at a selling price in excess of $100k.

Good luck!

[exador]

I imagine OP is freaking out a little by now with the prospect of handing his Mum over a cheque for $100,000+

[nedski7]

Wow
first off i want to thank everyone for their input and valued advice.

looks like i will not be purchasing this watch from my mother .i had no idea of the value. I was thinking it would be around 15 to $20k i will most likely be selling this on her behalf .. yes roh123 i have received more than one offer, that appear to be legit in the $200k+ range again WOW. i spent the morning going through some of the papers on the watch and removing everything from the chest where it sat for the last 25 years and placing it in a safety deposit box at my local Bank
i see it was tested in october 1959
so you are correct late 50s..really cool paper work istill in the original Rolex envelopes i dont think theses documents have seen the light of day since they left the factory.. per the advice of several list members i have already reached out to jacek at hq milton..

and to think my mother used to give my father greif about this watch ( his mickey mouse watch as she referred to it )



Kind Regards Ned

[1675-David]

wow!!

[C Walker]

Wow!

[nedski7]

All i can say is WOW
I responded earlier today but for some reason the post didn't go through (possibly because i added a picture )
Thank you everyone for your advice and recommendations very much appreciated .
Well it looks like i won't be buying this Rolex, i thought it was a 15 to $20k watch. Looks like I will be selling it on behalf of my mother.
i spent the morning procuring a safety deposit box at the local bank and going through some of the documents still in the original Rolex envelopes . They look like they haven't seen the light of day since they left the factory . and according to the original calibration and testing papers roh123 you are correct its is late 50s, tested in october of 1959. you are also correct about the PM i do have a number of what appear to be legitimate offers in the $200k+ range again WOW .


btw i also have the original sales receipt and bank book that my father opened because he purchased the watch on credit. He paid $20 to $30 a month until it was paid off .. sale price was $205.01 that included the spare band. as my father thought the original band felt to light ( cheap as he put it )

and to think my mother constantly gave my father grief about the watch ( calling it his mickey mouse watch ) nonetheless may father was always proud of his Rolex .

Kind Regards Ned

[jdmi32]

Amazing. I love reading stories like this.

At this price range I would consign to a larger auction house to get the most exposure and likely the best price. But selling it directly to a dealer like would be quicker with less hassle. It's a problem we'd all like to have.

If you are a watch person, maybe after the sale you could use a little of the proceeds to buy another watch in honor of your father.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by nedski7

All i can say is WOW
I responded earlier today but for some reason the post didn't go through (possibly because i added a picture )
Thank you everyone for your advice and recommendations very much appreciated .
Well it looks like i won't be buying this Rolex, i thought it was a 15 to $20k watch. Looks like I will be selling it on behalf of my mother.
i spent the morning procuring a safety deposit box at the local bank and going through some of the documents still in the original Rolex envelopes . They look like they haven't seen the light of day since they left the factory . and according to the original calibration and testing papers roh123 you are correct its is late 50s, tested in october of 1959. you are also correct about the PM i do have a number of what appear to be legitimate offers in the $200k+ range again WOW .


btw i also have the original sales receipt and bank book that my father opened because he purchased the watch on credit. He paid $20 to $30 a month until it was paid off .. sale price was $205.01 that included the spare band. as my father thought the original band felt to light ( cheap as he put it )

and to think my mother constantly gave my father grief about the watch ( calling it his mickey mouse watch ) nonetheless may father was always proud of his Rolex .

Kind Regards Ned

Normally I wouldn’t really recommend auctions as they eat a large chunk of the money in fees but with a watch like this I think you can only get surprised in a positive way. This is the kind of watch that is a trophy for a collector. There’s really no stopping for what a one-owner Milgauss 6541 with smooth bezel in this condition and with all the extras you have will bring. Unless you are in a hurry to get paid this will be a star at any top auction and the result will for sure be a record for the reference. The 200k+ I mentioned was just to give you a hint.

Shoot me a PM if you want me to connect you with the right people. If not; best of luck.

As you will sell it. Do not do anything with the watch. Servicing it can only damage value. There is zero upside if it is freshly serviced or whatever when it sells. Just keep it and all the extras safe and you will have a very good pay-day.

Please share more pics if you can. Also curious of any back story. What was your fathers profession? Do you know why he decided for this model? Not really a watch that sold in big quantities back then.

[donaker]

Beautiful watch and a great story. Best of luck with whatever path you choose.