Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...
Geneva, Mar 29, 2009
LOT 360
Ref. 6541, Milgauss ?Straight Hand? Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified,? case No. 112393, Ref. 6541. Made in 1958. Very fine and extremely rare, anti-magnetic, water-resistant, center seconds, self-winding, stainless steel wristwatch with straight seconds hand, honeycomb dial and a stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by the original fitted box.
CHF 100,000 - 150,000
USD 85,000 - 130,000 / EUR 67,000 - 100,000
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated bidirectional revolving black bezel, antimagnetic soft iron protection cap. D. Black soft iron flinqué honeycomb with luminous round indexes and faceted steel triangular indexes, outer minute/seconds track. Luminous steel dauphine hands, straight seconds hand. M. Cal. 1055M, rhodium-plated, oeil de perdrix decoration, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions and temperature, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, ?Butterfly? rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx. overall length 170 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
The Milgauss was introduced in 1954 for use in high magnetic fields. It was primarily created for people working on scientific experiments or in power stations, who needed a watch that remained accurate despite high magnetic fields existed. The watch's name was derived from the French word "mille", meaning thousand, and the word "gauss", which is a measurement of magnetic induction. An ordinary watch becomes erratic at 60 oersted and ceases to function around 100 oersted. The Milgauss had anti-magnetic alloys in parts of its movement, which was encased by an iron shield, thereby enabling the watch to remain accurate in fields of over 1000 oersted. At the time of its launch the Milgauss was considered a marvel of horological engineering. Not only did the watch function perfectly when subjected to a magnetic field of 1000 oersted (its guaranteed limit), but it could also remain accurate at 5000 oersted. Even after being placed in powerful magnetic fields, the residual magnetism in the watch's workings did not affect its accuracy. Nevertheless, it seems that none of the Milgauss models were ever great sellers, having only a small professional market. Its other buyers probably simply liked the look of this large-case watch, and never required its unique anti-magnetic features. The Milgauss was withdrawn from the Rolex catalog in 1988, although it remained available for a short time afterward as a special order piece. In 2007, Rolex reintroduced the updated Milgauss, with a target market listed as "medical imaging".
As shown in the 1958 Rolex catalogue for the Italian market, Ref. 6541 was also available with a straight seconds hand with a different bezel type. The present watch is an extraordinarily rare Ref. 6541, accompanied by the original fitted box. The text inside the box reads: ?Chronometer Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, created for scientists. Resistant to magnetic fields up to 1000 Gauss, can be used as chronograph thanks to the revolving bezel, self-winding moement with a patented ?Perpetual? rotor, case guaranteed water-resistant to 50 meters, Chronometer ?Superlatif?, officially certified.? Under the Rolex logo, there is a helpful suggestion:?Remove this card and the watch support, and you will have an elegant cigarette box".