Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1987 Reference No: 1019 Movement No: M'023'284 Case No: R'458'898 Model Name: Milgauss Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195 mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee, wallet and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Milgauss is the result of a direct collaboration between Rolex and the Geneva-based nuclear-research organization, CERN - Centre Européen de Recherche Nucléaire (European Organization for Nuclear Research). Their aim was to develop a wristwatch that could withstand intense magnetic fields and thus be worn by the CERN engineers and laboratory workers constantly in highly magnetic environments.
Reference 1019 was introduced to the market as the successor of reference 6541 and 6543. While the new Milgauss retained its Faraday Cage in order to protect the movement from electromagnetic waves, the model also featured a fresh and modern update to its appearance such as a smooth bezel and modified dial layout.
Offered with its original guarantee, this watch is preserved in excellent condition with sharp bevels and crisp edges. Furthermore, the luminous on both the hands and numerals have aged evenly to a wonderful ivory tone.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.