Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1958
    Reference No: 6541
    Movement No: N872’245
    Case No: 412’155, case interior iv.58
    Model Name: Milgauss
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic cal. 1066, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Oyster bracelet, overall all length approximately 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 78
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Released in 1956, reference 6541 represents the very first iteration of the Milgauss. The model targeted at a very specific - albeit at the time novel and growing - market: scientists, engineers and technicians working with high magnetic fields in electro-industrial environments or scientific facilities; indeed its iconic “lightning” seconds hand is an obvious nod to electromagnetism. Most impressively, the Milgauss was guaranteed to resist magnetic fields up to 1,000 oersted. The name Milgauss is derived from the Latin word mille, which means 1,000, and gauss, the unit of a magnetic field. The Milgauss overcomes the effects of magnetic fields by using anti-magnetic alloys and an iron movement cover to create a Faraday cage.

    This reference 6541, manufactured in 1958, is offered for the first time publicly by an important American collector. The most prominent feature of the watch is its unusual and awe-inspiring seconds hand in the shape of a lightning bolt. Giving the watch an unmistakable appearance is the beautifully preserved and exceedingly rare “Honeycomb” dial that has aged to a stunning and uniform “tropical” brown hue with non-luminous circular hour markers and faceted triangular indexes at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The originally red “Milgauss” designation has faded into a light, pale pink. Its case number 412’155 is consistent with other examples of the reference, as most appear to bear a 412’xxx serial number. Fitted with Rolex’s caliber 1066, its bridge features an engraved ‘M’ specific only to the Milgauss model.

    Rolex tool watches are an important part of the collecting market, and the Honeycomb Milgauss is one of the rarest models to be found. The reference 6541 was replaced in the mid-1960s by the reference 1019, and this early example 6541 is an appealing and attractive timepiece.

  • 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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81

Ref. 6541
A fresh-to-market and very rare anti-magnetic stainless steel wristwatch with “tropical” honeycomb dial, lightning hand and bracelet

1958
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF72,000-144,000
€74,000-148,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000
S$108,000-215,000

Sold for $146,050

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023