Rolex

Milgauss Watches

Since its establishment in 1905, the renowned luxury watch brand Rolex has been producing exceptional sports watches and tools watches for different professional  fields. Among the Rolex tactical collections, the Rolex Milgauss was introduced in 1956 as an anti-magnetic tool watch. It was designed for those scientists and professionals who worked in the electronic facilities or power plants. 

The launch of Rolex Milgauss was considered as a significant technological advancement to scientific development. Despite being discontinued since the late 1980s, the Rolex Milgauss was revived in 2007 with a complete upgrade and gained overwhelming responses from the market. Incorporating the modern technologies, the distinctive Rolex Milgauss has reborn successfully and makes itself more desirable for the Rolex lovers over the globe. 

As a top Swiss watchmaker, Rolex is notable for manufacturing extraordinary sports and tool watches. These watches are specifically designed for sports lovers and adventurers, for example the Rolex Submariner which are created for deep sea divers. 

Seeing the needs of specific groups of professionals such as scientists, Rolex also created watches for professionals, such as for scientists. In 1956 the brand introduced its new professional model Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss with the references 6543 and 6541. This watch was specifically developed as an anti-magnetic watch meant for the engineers and scientists who worked in power plants, medical factories, and research facilities where electromagnetic fields can cause havoc. It was the first Rolex watch resistant to magnetic fields.

Before the birth of the Milgauss, scientists and other professionals had a problem on timing in an electromagnetic field greater than 50 to 100 gauss. High gauss would greatly disrupt the function of a watch. Finally, the release of the Milgauss drastically solved that issue. The watch was tested by the greatest particle physics lab in the world, European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and found to be resistant to magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss. The creation of this distinctive anti-magnetic watch is considered a milestone for the history of Rolex’s groundbreaking inventions.

Its name “Milgauss” was created by Rolex as a compound word of two terms. “Mil” was derived from the Latin word ‘Mille’, which means 1000. It was meant to refer to its resistance of magnetic fields up to 1000 gauss. And indeed, ‘Gauss’  refers to the unit of measurement of magnetic fields. In this way, Rolex has presented the main characteristics of this watch by the name. 

If we take a look at the first Rolex Milgauss references 6543 and 6541, their appearance were very much similar to the Rolex Submariner. The original Milgauss came with a classic Oyster case with the Twinlock crown, a black bezel and a black matte dial just like the Rolex diver watch. 

The main distinguished feature of the Rolex Milgauss should be its second hand in the shape of a lightning bolt, which does not appear in all Milgauss models. This lightning-bolt style seconds hand has soon become a signature of the Milgauss watch. 

The watch also featured a honeycomb dial and dauphine or alpha hands, with an arrow-shaped marker at 3, 6, and 9 while there are dots at the other hours. The second hand of the watch can be stopped when setting time for a more precise time setting. This feature still remained on the later models. 

The Rolex Milgauss 6543 was only produced in 150 trial pieces and it was followed by the identical 6541 which was put into main manufacturing. However, after this model, the Milgauss had only gone through one update version, the Milgauss 1019. And after numerous configuration changes on the Milgauss, it was finally discontinued in 1988. 

Despite its low popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, it has become rare and more desirable in the vintage watch market after its discontinuation. To the date, the Milgauss remains a highly hunted model amongst the Rolex collectors. If you are looking for a reasonable Rolex Milgauss price Singapore should be one of the places you should make a try. 

After almost 20 years of absence, in 2007, Rolex revisited their first scientist's watch and released a completely revamped Rolex Milgauss with reference 11640. There are three different versions for this model: a white dial version, a black dial version, and a special anniversary version with a black dial. They are all in polished Oyster steel with the matching Oyster bracelet. These modern Milgauss watches are fitted with its iconic lightning-bolt seconds hand, this time in an eye-catching orange.

The two classic models of Milgauss feature a standard colorless sapphire crystal. The anniversary version 116400GV also features a black dial but it came with a green-tinted sapphire crystal that was lightly tinted green. The suffix GV refers to Glace Verte or Green Glass in French. The tinted glass gives the watch a unique green halo, adding the cyber scientific look to the watch. 

On top of the look, the newer model Rolex Milgauss 116400 also houses several new technological advancements inside the watch. The watch is now protected by a ferromagnetic alloys shield inside the case. This shield surrounds and protects the movement of the watch to ensure it tells time precisely. 

The Rolex 116400 model is also protected by a new magnetic alloy Parachrom-Blu hairspring. It is much finer than a human hair, but it has highly increased Milgauss's resistance to magnetic fields. Besides, it is up to 10 times more resistant to shocks, such as the shock of dropping the watch. 

The Milgauss Rolex watch is thicker than some other Rolex watches because of the magnetic shield inside the case. However, it succeeded to maintain the same weight of 157 grams. In many Rolex Milgauss reviews, it is said to be a comfortable watch for any wrist of men. 

In 2014, to replace the white dial 116400, Rolex released a new version with a Z-Blue dial. Like the first 116400GV, it is covered by the green-tinted crystal. With an electric blue dial, this Rolex Milgauss blue model has become one of the most colorful models in the entire family. It instantly became a popular model for Rolex.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss was designed with a passion for the world of science. With its advanced build and many recognisable features, it is a perfect tool watch as well as everyday watch for any watch lover.