Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 560

Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Milgauss", Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 6541. Production of this reference started circa 1958.Exceptionally rare, water-resistant, center-seconds, self-winding, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with honeycomb dial, lightning second hand and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

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C. three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated black bezel, soft iron anti-magnetic protecting cap. D. black soft iron, honeycomb decorated, with radium-coated round indexes and steel triangular markers. "Alpha" radium-coated steel hands. M. Cal. 1066, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm.Approx. overall length 195 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3
Movement: 3*
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Ref. 6541The name: 'Milgaus', combines 'Mil', meaning 'mille' (a thousand), and 'Gaus', for the unit of measure of magnetism. A normal movement can withstand up to 70-80 Gaus, but over that its working order would becompromised. Most good watches resist magnetic fields of 60 to 70 Gauss, but the 'Milgauss' keeps its astoundingprecision in magnetic fields up to 1000 Gauss, which were intolerable conditions for all. Yet with its dial, ring and the cover of its movement in soft iron -a true 'Oyster'- Rolexreated a model which brilliantly resolved the problem.Aside from the esthetic qualities of the dial and the seconds hand, the rarity of this piece lies in its perfect condition.The dials of Milgauss watches are made of soft iron so that, along with the protective cap, they absorb the magnetic rays and thus protect the escapement, which is the most delicate element of the watch. However, since soft iron is more subject to oxidation, it is extremely difficult to find a Milgauss watch from the first generation in such perfect condition.