138 Rolex Rare and Extremely Well Preserved Milgauss Anti-Magnetic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 1019, With Silver Mark I Dial, Bracelet, Box and Papers

Estimate: €25,000 –⁠ 50,000

Model: Milgauss
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 1019
Year: 1970
Case N°: 2433374
Caliber: 1580
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: box and papers

The Milgauss is one of those watches with a very fascinating story behind its shoulders and it’s often considered one of the most avant-garde models ever produced by the Rolex. This beautiful model was designed for being used in areas of high electromagnetic fields found in laboratories and electro-engineering. That was possible thanks to the use of a “bell” made of soft iron which, acting as a “Faraday cage”, isolated the caliber from any external electromagnetic field which also explains the origin of the name where “Mil” is for thousand and “Gauss” for the unit to measure magnetism. The very first model was released in 1954 and was the reference 6543 but the first to one use the “bell” was the well known 6541 characterized by the iconic thunderbolt hand for seconds and the honeycomb dial. In 1963 this reference was replaced by the also renowned reference 1019, such as the present watch, until its discontinuation in 1988. The graduated bezel gives way to a simple smooth one, while the movement is a caliber 1580. The dial is available in two-color variants: black or, such as the present watch, silver with a “scratched” finish. Preserved in like new old stock condition, this watch is sold full set with box and original warranty. The tonneau-shape case is untouched such as the original Oyster bracelet; the silvered satin aluminum dial is a Mark I and that is clear for the presence of the luminous material right in the middle of the quarter applied baton indexes and the dots at the end of the other numerals. Absolutely enchanting, the present lot with its ultimate rarity, strong case and bracelet with crisp argentè dial and history is a really attractve lot.