Hello!

[Rodia]

Hello everyone! Nice to be in your forum.

I actually have a question and I was hoping you could help me. I currently have in my posession a Rolex Milgauss that I want to sell but I have no idea where I could sell it. Should I prefer the internet or a private auction house?

If anyone can help me on this I'd appreciate it!

[colemanitis]

Welcome to the forum! Many people list watches for sale right here on TRF, however they may have a post # requirement. There's always eBay, dozens of Rolex watches are sold there everyday.

[padi56]

Welcome to TRF Rodia.
A private watch auction house sale, get it listed checked out and properly photographed,with a reserve price.Now there will be a fee,but in a specialised watch auction you would attract the right buyers.What model number is your Milgauss.??,as vintage models now the buying range is from around $15000-$25000 and up to $50000 and over for certain models.

[Rockrolex]

Welcome to TRF, Rodia. Glad you found our merry madhouse.

You've already gotten some suggestions for selling the watch. You can offer it here, but you need to have 15 posts and have been a member for at least 15 days before you can post something on the For Sale board.

So start building up that bank of posts and in no time you'll have access to the Sale board.

[JJ Irani]

Hi Rodia,

A big welcome to TRF. One of the most sought after watches you have there. Congrats and good luck on the sale. With the proceeds you get on that baby, you can buy yourself just about any new Rolex out there....well almost any!!

Cheers - JJ

[Uncle-AJ]

Welcome to TRF Rodia, if I could afford to, I'd keep the watch, it's sure to increase in value.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Uncle-AJ

Welcome to TRF Rodia, if I could afford to, I'd keep the watch, it's sure to increase in value.

Agreed....very true!! That baby can only go in one direction....UP!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Rodia

Hello everyone! Nice to be in your forum.

I actually have a question and I was hoping you could help me. I currently have in my posession a Rolex Milgauss that I want to sell but I have no idea where I could sell it. Should I prefer the internet or a private auction house?

If anyone can help me on this I'd appreciate it!

Hi Rodia,

Congrats on having one of the "grails" of the vintage Rolex world. Before I would do anything I would thoroughly research all thing Milgaus. (My apologies if you have already done so--I could not tell from your post )
The Milgaus came is several variants, and as Padi said prices can vary widely.
As with most things vintage and exotic the devil is in the details on pieces like this.
These can be some very deep waters and research is the best "lifepreserver"
Here is a good place to start;
http://www.network54.com/Forum/380354/
These guys have some spirited debates, but their collective knowledge is supurb. Do a search for Milgaus.
Remember-Box & Papers can add a lot to the complete package.
Within the different models of Milgaus are variations that one must be aware of.
Here's a couple pics of different models
These are NOT my pics,


Note this variant also had a white dial

This one is the King!!

[ismvli]

sorry for my ignorance... is this a special edition of rolex? or model? the last pic (black bezel) is like a sub... any significant feature ?

[mike]

Originally Posted by ismvli

sorry for my ignorance... is this a special edition of rolex? or model? the last pic (black bezel) is like a sub... any significant feature ?

Hi ismvli,
The Milgauss was introduced in the mid 50s as a tool watch for those that worked in high magnetic fields.
The one your refering to was the model 6541 with lighting bolt hand. It's generally considered the most desireable of the Milgauss line. It was later replaced by the ref. 1019 (pictured above it).
Like most things now desireable the watch was not very popular in it's day.
I believe the reference was withdrawn in the mid 80s.

[amanda]

Yeh I am with ismvli on this one, I have heard alot about Milgaus but am not too sure on why it is sooo desirable.. help us!

[amanda]

thanks mike, you were typing same time as me!

[jac67]

Hello Amanda and others

Well, why are certain model collectable?? I don't think anybody really knows.

Certain watches become collectable because they were only produced for a short while (eg. Red Sub, DRSD, 1530, 6541), while others for the reason that they have some history to them (Comex, MilSub) and others because they look good (PN Daytona, Big Crown Subs, SS Daytona).

The Milgauss is one of those watches that baffles me a little. Apart from the model 6541 looks pretty cool, with that bezel and lightning bolt seconds hand, the 1019 looks a little plain and ordinary.

But since they were aimed at a particular market and not such a great seller, only small numbers of this watch were ever made and even less have survived. Because of the 'tool' watch fettish people have, ALL collectors (including me) want one, hence the price.

But maybe all the above is crap, and it's all about hype! Perhaps dealers bought loads of these watches cheap in the days when they were not popular or when owners wanted to upgrade etc, and now they HYPE HYPE HYPE, getting ready for their retirement.

Whatever the reason, We the collectors want them and WE the collectors drive the price on a limited resource!

Just my 2 cents.


John.

[Rodia]

First of all I want to thank everyone for your replies. I have to admit a couple of things: the watch is not mine. I am doing all the research and the "sale" on behalf of a friend. Plus, I am really in deep waters here because I have NO idea about watches -even more so for vintage or collectible watches. I have been studying as much as I can about Rolex and collectible watches but still I know nothing compared to you!

These things I do know about the Rolex in question: It is a 1958 Milgauss "Oyster Perpetual" (model 6541) with a Superlative chronometer and the original "lightning-bolt" seconds hand. Its bracelet has been changed with a new one but it is identical with the original. It doesn`t have a case but it has been checked by a specialist in Geneva. I hope I`ll be able to post some pics soon.

I`ll definately start accumulating posts not only to get to the "Sale" topics but because of your hearty welcome! You`ve been sooo nice!

Cheers!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rodia

First of all I want to thank everyone for your replies. I have to admit a couple of things: the watch is not mine. I am doing all the research and the "sale" on behalf of a friend. Plus, I am really in deep waters here because I have NO idea about watches -even more so for vintage or collectible watches. I have been studying as much as I can about Rolex and collectible watches but still I know nothing compared to you!

These things I do know about the Rolex in question: It is a 1958 Milgauss "Oyster Perpetual" (model 6541) with a Superlative chronometer and the original "lightning-bolt" seconds hand. Its bracelet has been changed with a new one but it is identical with the original. It doesn`t have a case but it has been checked by a specialist in Geneva. I hope I`ll be able to post some pics soon.

I`ll definately start accumulating posts not only to get to the "Sale" topics but because of your hearty welcome! You`ve been sooo nice!

Cheers!

Well if its a genuine 6541 then definitely IMHO a proper watch auction house they will check the watch out before sale.This type of sale will attract the right sort of buyers for this high value Rolex watch.Not sure what you mean by this statement.It doesn`t have a case but it has been checked by a specialist in Geneva.

[Rodia]

Um... Sorry. My english are not that good. I meant that it does not have the original packaging it came in. The actual case of the watch is ok.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rodia

Um... Sorry. My english are not that good. I meant that it does not have the original packaging it came in. The actual case of the watch is ok.

Well that will take a very little bit of value of watch,but IMO the proper watch auction house, and using there advice it will cost you a fee. But thats the way to go with this type of rare Rolex watch,to attract the right buyers.

[jac67]

Well Rodia, if that watch checks out to be a genuine 6541, then your friend will need to sit down when he hears how much it's worth!

You are looking at US$50k+.

Good luck, and keep us posted on it's progress.

Agree with the above, with a watch of this calibre, you really need a decent auction house that deals in high end watches, like Antiquorum.


John.

[Rodia]

Thanks a lot! I'll check out Antiquorum and I'll keep you posted

[C.J.]

Welcome to TRF, Rodia and best of luck with the sale

[Rodia]

Thank you! ^___^

[Rodia]

Well... the watch is going to be in the next Antiquorum auction in December in New York (NEW YORK, DECEMBER 6 - Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks).

Thank you everybody for your welcome and ideas but especially jac67 - John for telling me about Antiquorum.

Cheers!