The legendary story of the Rolex Milgauss begins with the unique and rare lightning-shaped second hand. This unusual design is one of early Rolex antimagnetic watches’ most easily identifiable and poantimagnetices. It is highly praised by the scientific community of the original target group and attracts more enthusiasts for the latest products in the Milgauss series.
In the second iteration of the Milgauss watch, Ref. 1019 adopted a straight needle design. Consumer interest in the Milgauss watch gradually faded, leading Rolex to discontinue production. In the UK, retailers found it difficult to find buyers and used Milgauss watches as bargaining chips to sell other, more popular models. Yes, at one point, you could buy a Rolex Milgauss watch at a meager price.
The Milgauss watch seemed unpopular when it first came out, but those days are over.
Looking back in history
The Milgauss Ref. 6541 watch was launched in 1956 and was equipped with a soft iron inner case. It was one of the first watches to keep accurate time even when exposed to strong magnetic fields. Ref. 6541 is the second Milgauss watch, the first being Ref. 6543 (regardless of the serial number). Ref. 6543 was produced in tiny numbers and bears little resemblance to subsequent models.
Initially, the design of the Milgauss was very similar to Rolex’s other professional model, the Submariner, known for being waterproof rather than anti-antimagnetic. The Submariner, the Milgauss features a stainless steel Oyster case (technically sporty), a graduated bezel (which can be rotated), bubble hour markers (at a specific location), and perhaps most importantly (in the eyes of collectors) – A single row of red letters showing the name of the watch. Cheap fake Rolex.
An early Milgauss Ref. 6541 watch
Like early Rolex dive watches, most original Milgauss watches are worth much money today. Not because the Milgauss was one of the first mainstream antimaantimagnetices but because of its rarity. The proportions and overall design of the Milgauss watch case have become almost perfect, and they have become more and more flavorful after being baptized. Moreover, it is also an essential part of Rolex’s history.
Milgauss watches are designed and manufactured by Rolex and tested in a 1,000 Gauss magnetic field environment miles from the watch factory. The participants are from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and they have the brightest minds in Switzerland. Before it belongs to others, a Milgauss watch belongs to them first.
A Milgauss Ref. 1019 watch with straight hands
In the 20th century, Rolex made only a critical iteration of the Milgauss watch, the Ref. 1019, in the 1960s. Milgauss Ref. 1019 has undergone considerable improvements, the most obvious being the smooth bezel, new hands, and hour markers. The second hand adopts a vertical design, and the red tip echoes the single row of red letters “MILGAUSS.” This improvement is very critical. Ref. 1019 is divided into two dial styles (excluding test models without fluorescent materials), black or silver, which are no longer decorated with honeycomb patterns. Although the Ref. 1019 is 38 mm in diameter and generous, it never really found a soulmate. In 1988, Rolex finally gave up production.
Modern Milgauss (and Z-Blue)
Milgauss Z-Blue electric blue watch gives the series a new look.
After removing it from its catalog for nearly 20 years, Rolex made a brave decision (perhaps even if it had to be) by reintroducing the Milgauss watch in 2007. Rolex has long been known for its ability to make subtle improvements, and this time, the brand took one of its most modest products and added a splash of color. The new model Ref. 116400 returns to the lightning-shaped second’s hand design, with bright orange hands for a neat but slightly cold case. The minute track and hour markers are also decorated in the same color. Perhaps the most controversial change is the introduction of a green sapphire crystal. Rolex calls it “Glace Verte” (green glass) and claims the brand has no patent rights because it is too difficult to manufacture. Richard mille replica.
Almost every element of this watch has a sparkling brilliance, from the hands to the dial to the mirror.
Then, in 2014, Rolex added a blue dial model, which made many people lose their minds. For the first time, Milgauss watches can be retailed and appear in higher-level channels. All this is because of the blue dial, which Rolex calls “Z-Blue.”
Oyster bracelet with both brushed and polished links
The case is elegantly curved and polished.
To be clear, there is no technical difference between this watch and other Milgauss Ref. 116400. The watch has a traditional 40 mm Oyster case (polished) and a 904L stainless steel Oyster bracelet (combination of brushed and polished finishes). It has its own Caliber 3131 movement, which has passed the Swiss Chronometer Testing Center (COSC) test. Equipped with Parachrom hairspring (niobium-zirconium alloy) and paramagnetic escapement wheel (made of nickel-phosphorus alloy) to ensure antimaantimagneticrmance. Caliber 3131 self-winding movement has a power reserve of approximately 48 hours and powers all modern Milgauss watches (and the new Airmaster watch).
This is a solid, durable Rolex Oyster watch through and through
Changes in dial configuration are also minimal. What Rolex has done is improve the solid foundation slightly. The baton hour markers, Chromalight (which adds another subtle hue), the bright orange minute track, and the word “Milgauss” are all retained. Newer watches are very different from vintage ones but seem more popular.
The only absolute novelty of the Milgauss Z-Blue watch is the dial. When watchmakers want a change of pace, blue is a convenient choice. It’s more versatile and casual than the traditional black, white, and silver without being too weird. But this blue is unusual because it comes from Rolex, a company that sets and enforces its code of conduct. It’s a metallic blue, and depending on the light and angle, the blue of the satin dial shifts toward green.
Series: Milgauss
Movement: Automatic
Engine: Rolex Calibre 2813
Gender: Men’s
Brand: Rolex
Model: m116400gv-0002
Band Width: 20mm