Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 527

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 check-pattern designed dial and lightning seconds hand.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 39,000 - 52,000

Sold: CHF 48,300

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, check-pattern decorated, with radium-coated round indexes and steel triangular indexes. Radium-coated "Dauphine" steel hands. M. Cal. 1065, 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.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 25
Movement: 3 - 5*
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Ref. 654141The name: ?Milgauss?, combines ?Mil?, meaning ?mille? a thousand, and ?Gauss?, for the unit of measure of magnetism. A normal movement can withstand up to 70-80 Gauss, but over that its working order would be compromised. Most good watches resist magnetic fields of 60 to 70 Gauss, but the ?Milgauss? keeps its astounding precision 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? - Rolex created 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 fromhe first generation in such perfect condition.