Released in 1956, the reference 6541 represents the very first iteration of the Milgauss. The model targeted 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 measure for a magnetic field. The Milgauss overcomes the effects of magnetic fields by using anti-magnetic alloys and an iron inner movement case to create a Faraday cage.

Phillips is honored to offer for the first time in our history, a Rolex Milgauss reference consigned directly by the original owner. Manufactured in 1958, the most prominent feature of the watch is its unusual and somewhat whimsical 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 to 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.

An American bass guitarist for bands such as McKendree Spring, and an educator, the original owner was traveling through Switzerland in the summer of 1969 as recently documented in a Bloomberg article in which he was interviewed. An enthusiast of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, his curiosity about Rolex was piqued, and he and his wife wandered into a jewelry store in Zurich, where they were shown several Rolex wristwatches, among them this very Milgauss. Passing on it at the time, his wife secretly returned to the jewelry store and bought it. He wore it faithfully for many years until right after its last servicing, in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Not only is the original owner pictured wearing the watch in promotional images for his band, but also on the McKendree Spring 3 album insert. Accompanied with its original crystal, but also a new old stock, domed Rolex ‘tropic’ crystal was recently installed, remarkably, he retained the chronometer certificate dating to 1962, his original purchase receipt, purchase order, and shipping documents from that trip in 1969. Still fitted on its original riveted Oyster bracelet, the present lot is a superb, all original example of this highly coveted reference.

PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER