Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII Hong Kong Thursday, November 25, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 1019
    Movement No: M209’519
    Case No: 1’915’106, inside caseback stamped III.68
    Model Name: Milgauss 'MK1'
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1560, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7206”, endlinks stamped “80”, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “3,69”
    Dimensions: 38mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an associated Rolex guarantee stamped Hausmann & Co s.r.l., dated October 1981, product literature, green passport holder and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Developed in collaboration with CERN (Centre Européen de Recherche Nucléaire), scientists working in the magnetic fields realized a need for a timepiece capable of withstanding the detrimental environment of these fields.

    Initially introduced in 1953, the Milgauss ref. 6543 was the first reference to be introduced for a very short period of time. Two years later, Rolex replaced the model with ref. 6541. Modelled as the Milgauss, the name derives from “Mille” (meaning thousand in Latin) and “Gauss” representing the unit for measuring magnetism, which indicated that the Milgauss was capable of withstanding exposure of up to 1000 Gauss, with regular timepieces withstanding only 70 – 90 Gauss.

    In the early 1960s, Rolex introduced the Milgauss ref. 1019 replacing its former references. With a refreshed appeal, the new model featured a contemporary stainless steel Oyster case with an enlarged 38mm diameter similarly retaining its anti-magnetic cage protecting the movement. The reference was available in either a silver or black dial and was discontinued in 1990.

    The present example Rolex Milgauss ref. 1019 with a 1.9 million from circa 1968 belongs to the early generation of the reference featuring luminous material sandwiched in between the 3-6-9 o’clock indexes.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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1096

Ref. 1019
A fine and rare stainless steel anti-magnetic wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1968
38mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$140,000 - 220,000 
€15,500-24,400
$17,900-28,200

Sold for HK$252,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII

Hong Kong Auctions 25-26 November 2021