With a long and acclaimed history of manufacturing the best professional tool wristwatches on the market, Rolex introduced the Milgauss in 1954. Referenced 6541, the design of the Milgauss had to cater towards the needs of scientists and engineers working in a magnetic environment. To achieve such results, Rolex collaborated with Conseil Européen de Recherche Nucléaire (CERN) to develop a watch that is capable to withstand strong magnetic fields. Named the Milgauss, “Mil” stands for 1000 and “Gauss” is the unit used to measure magnetism, simply stating that the watch is able to withstand 1000 gauss of magnetism.
The Rolex Milgauss ref. 1019 was launched in the early 1960’s featuring a thinner case than its predecessors and still retaining a soft iron cage inside the case back to protect the movement from magnetism. Bearing a 1.9 million serial from circa 1968, the preset watch is an early example of the reference that was produced until 1990. Presented in excellent overall condition with an attractive case and dial, it is a nice opportunity to acquire an important milestone Rolex wristwatch.
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.
