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-   -   The Rolex Milgauss (https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=33562)

Tools 24 February 2008 06:54 AM
The Rolex Milgauss
 
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 ~1986, 2007 to current

Movements: 1019 -1580 & 116400 - 3131

Case size: 1019-38mm; 116400 - 40mm

Weight: 116400 - 154 grams

Power Reserve: ~44 hours

Photographs:

Dial. Matt Black
(Photos courtesy of Mike)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...ke381/ML16.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...ike381/ML3.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...ke381/ML13.jpg

SPACE-DWELLER 26 May 2008 10:58 AM
Please allow me to qoute this nice overview over the history of the Milgauss watches, posted by Mike on 2008-05-25:

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike (Post 600551)
(...)

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/f...ke381/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/f...19_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/f...ike381/ML8.jpg

Hope this helps a little.:cheers:

shedlock2000 26 May 2008 01:35 PM
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 26 May 2008 02:19 PM
I believe 1 Tesla is 10,000 Gauss

shedlock2000 26 May 2008 02:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by brainbizz (Post 601360)
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 26 May 2008 11:05 PM
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 6 July 2008 08:58 PM
Newbie here
 
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...19_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 8 July 2008 08:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommasi (Post 658423)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...19_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 9 July 2008 08:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommasi (Post 658423)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...19_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:

cstegall 22 July 2008 02:31 PM
Thanks for this review. About to buy a Milgauss and this really helped.

Trurolexer 26 July 2008 01:46 AM
:cheers:Nice report Everyone!!!:cheers:

Spare201 23 September 2008 07:16 AM
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).

masskc 20 February 2009 07:11 AM
does anyone know if the original GV's had the coronet engraving at 6pm? or sorry were at least attempted by rolex?

does anyone know why can it not be done?

hflee55 9 March 2009 01:21 PM
this review might just make me want to go out to get the GV.

Esquire 9 March 2009 06:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by hflee55 (Post 1035038)
this review might just make me want to go out to get the GV.
It's not really going to resist anything magnetic in a hospital, to be quite honest. Resisting 1000 gauss is nothing when you look at modern medical equipment. That would be like having a watch that was waterproof to one foot for one second, and going for a swim in the ocean.

Vanessa CW21 10 March 2009 01:43 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spare201 (Post 758107)
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).
That's not true. The rest of the movement can get magnetic and this will cause the watch to malfunction. Like the pallet fork and the escape wheel which are made out of steel too.

Tools 10 March 2009 07:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanessa (Post 1035735)
That's not true. The rest of the movement can get magnetic and this will cause the watch to malfunction. Like the pallet fork and the escape wheel which are made out of steel too.
The mainspring can also get magnetized which will cause erratic power applied to the gear-train...:thumbsup:

clonmult 10 March 2009 07:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgarami (Post 1004160)
anybody know how much the original ones are worth?
I've seen quotes all over the place.

Mine was passed down from grandfather->father->me, and when I received it in the mid 90s, went straight for a valuation (for insurance purposes). Came in at around £2k.

Then chatting to a watchmaker on a motoring forum about 18months back, I was informed that it was worth more like £20k.

A few weeks back I read that its more like £30k. But I'm sure I've seen mentions on here and elsewhere that it could be worth considerably more.

Which is somewhat of an indecent proposal.

PalmSpringsCaVault 2 April 2009 08:16 AM
The milguass was a total flop once it was released, it drove down production numbers and became the rare item because it was intially rejected. Upon the release i only wonder if the white face less fancy onces will repeat the patern. I have watched them do nothing but fall in price as time goes on, they were a dealer to dealer item and expected to be really rear but there wasnt any total production numbers given and now they are everywhere, here in los angeles they are at almost every dealers booth. I think people want to replicate the rareness of the older one but its sad its gonna be a long time comming in my humble opinnion. The old ones are the most collected and saught after rolex of all time bring extremely high prices considering the orginiall retail cost.

clonmult 16 April 2009 11:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by PalmSpringsCaVault (Post 1081890)
The old ones are the most collected and saught after rolex of all time bring extremely high prices considering the orginiall retail cost.
Do you have any details of what sort of prices original Milgauss have gone for over the last few years?

I'm definitely having mixed feelings on mine. I do love the feel of it, and the emotional value is absolutely huge, but there's a varying element within me that considers selling it on, and possibly buying a recent model milgauss (or other rolex) as a replacement.

Welshwatchman 17 April 2009 06:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by clonmult (Post 1113191)
Do you have any details of what sort of prices original Milgauss have gone for over the last few years?

I'm definitely having mixed feelings on mine. I do love the feel of it, and the emotional value is absolutely huge, but there's a varying element within me that considers selling it on, and possibly buying a recent model milgauss (or other rolex) as a replacement.
The original 6541 Milgauss is a rare beast indeed and will command £50,000+ depending on condition.

It's an auction house piece if you care to sell it.

Rebel 17 April 2009 07:41 AM
Good review. Thanks.

clonmult 17 April 2009 08:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Welshwatchman (Post 1113898)
The original 6541 Milgauss is a rare beast indeed and will command £50,000+ depending on condition.

It's an auction house piece if you care to sell it.
Thats what I was told by a watchmaker last night. Mild surprise, as the first valuation I had on it circa 15 years ago, it was around £2k. Then 18 months ago it had gone up in value to about £20k.

And now £50k.

Ouch. And double ouch.

slc1310 29 April 2009 10:20 AM
Thanks for the knowledge

clonmult 29 April 2009 07:12 PM
I should have added - that was for insurance valuation purposes, it probably has little direct bearing on a possible sales value.

T5AUS 1 May 2009 03:48 AM
Thanks for the info guys, very interesting :thumbsup:

Do you have a photo of yours Clonmult :cheers:

clonmult 2 May 2009 12:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by T5AUS (Post 1141057)
Thanks for the info guys, very interesting :thumbsup:

Do you have a photo of yours Clonmult :cheers:
'tis on another thread :

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....38&postcount=4

Lovely watch. Truly.

T5AUS 2 May 2009 06:57 AM
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by clonmult (Post 1142805)
'tis on another thread :

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....38&postcount=4

Lovely watch. Truly.
Wow, it truley is a lovely watch, can't see myself ever finding one of those, but one never knows, never thought I would own an early sub but now do, so anything is possible, that has just gone to the top of my most wanted list :thumbsup: (hope thats ok, I pinched the image)

Fishbone 2 May 2009 11:30 AM
That milgauss has gone through some beatings from the picture. A biography of this watch should be written out. It must be full of interesting stories.

Fishbone 2 May 2009 11:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by masskc (Post 1003765)
does anyone know if the original GV's had the coronet engraving at 6pm? or sorry were at least attempted by rolex?

does anyone know why can it not be done?

this link will answer at least one of your questions...

quote from the link below: "It is worth noting that the Milgauss GV does NOT sport the laser etched coronet at 6 in the crystal... It has been said that the laser etched coronet would be too obvious due to the green edged crystal. Other reports state that the laser etched coronet would simply be distorted due to the green crystal. The other two Milgauss models (both named "116400", too, but without the GV nomenclature) both sport the laser etched coronet:"


:thumbsup:


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