Rolex Milgauss

Why We Love It

The original Rolex Milgauss - Reference 6451 - was introduced in 1954 during an age of rapid advancement in engineering, mechanics, and technology. The Milgauss was Rolex's answer to protecting their movements to magnetic fields created in a variety of high-tech industrial applications. The line subsequently saw a variety of iterations released in the 1960s and 70s, before it suddenly halted in 1988 with little notice.

As time wore on, however, collectors and enthusiasts became drawn to the Milgauss story and began collecting vintage examples - as collectors are wont to do!

It was therefore a welcome surprise to the wristwatch community that Rolex chose to reintroduce the Milgauss for 2007.

This particular example, a Reference 116400, dates to circa 2008-2009 and features an excellent stainless steel Oyster case, a black dial with luminous baton indices, the very distinctive orange 'lightning bolt' seconds hand, a matching Oyster bracelet with an Easylink clasp.

This watch remains in excellent condition and is surprisingly versatile on the wrist for daily wear!

The Milgauss Story

Rolex first debuted the Milgauss in 1954, the same year as the Submariner. As with the Submariner, Rolex intended the Milgauss to be a tool watch for those in a specific profession. Its name indicates the purpose those who designed it intended it to serve: the French mille (1000), and gauss, a unit for measuring a magnetic field. In this case, the Milgauss was meant for scientists--particularly those who work in conditions with high magnetism, such as engineers, radiologists, and researchers in labs like CERN in Geneva. A horological achievement for Rolex, the Milgauss marked the first time the brand produced an anti-magnetic watch.

The necessity of developing an anti-magnetic movement became apparent in the 19th Century. Vacheron Constantin experimented with anti-magnetism in 1843, although the brand didn't succeed in developing an anti-magnetic pocket watch until 1915. However, perhaps the most influential discovery in the development of an anti-magnetic movement occurred in 1896, when Charles Guillaume discovered Invar, a nickel-based, antimagnetic alloy. Guillaume followed up the discovery of Invar with the discovery of Elinvar, for which he would gain a Nobel Prize in 1920. Since Elinvar (in turn a contraction for the French elasticité invariable or "elastically invarible") resisted the changes in temperature that would cause hairsprings made of steel to lose elasticity, thereby decreasing accuracy, Elinvar proved invaluable to the watch industry.

IWC started to produce anti-magnetic pocket watch movements in 1888. With the introduction of the Mark XI, with its revolutionary iron-cased movement, the brand seemed to be on the forefront of this technology. IWC re-appropriated the iron casing of the Mark XI's movement--the Caliber 89--and designed a completely new caliber for the Ingeniuer, released in 1955. 

But with the Milgauss, Rolex beat IWC to the punch. At first glance there's not much to distinguish the first Milgauss (Reference 6541 of 1954) from its fraternal twin, the Submariner: it shared a bezel with the Submariner, as well a modified Caliber 1065 movement. The 1065M of the Milgauss contained anti-magnetic components and, like the IWC Caliber 89, had an iron casing. The Milgauss underwent several design changes throughout the course of its first few years--a new bezel and seconds hand shaped like a lightning bolt--but continued to resemble its more famous brethren. Even the model with which Rolex succeeded the Reference 654, the Reference 1019, resembled the Explorer Reference 1016.

The Milgauss, with its rather unglamorous application, never enjoyed as much attention as Rolex's other purpose-driven watches: the Submariner, the Explorer, or the GMT. Thus, Rolex shelved the Milgauss in 1986, never to be seen again. Or so it seemed, certainly in the minds of vintage collectors, who continue to seek out early examples of the model, often at astronomical sums.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.