The Rolex Milgauss

The Rolex Milgauss is a wristwatch model first introduced by Rolex in 1956 with model number Ref: 6451. The Milgauss was designed specifically for people who worked in medical facilities and research labs like those in Geneva at Cern where electromagnetic fields caused problems with the timing of a watch from magnetic interference. The current model Rolex Milgauss is equipped with amagnetic alloy hairspring – Blue Parachrom, which is thinner than a human hair and movement encased by a magnetic shield most likely composed of a high magnetic permeability material. The name Milgauss is derived from the French –mille, which means one-thousand, and gauss, the unit of a magnetic field. This model is so named because it can withstand a magnetic flux density of 1,000 gauss.

The original Rolex Milgauss was very similar in appearance of the Rolex Submariner case, with an over-sized case and bezel, a Twinlock crown, and a riveted Oyster bracelet. Although the Rolex Milgauss only went through two different models Refences the 6541 and the 1019 – the Rolex Milgauss went through a multitude of changes before being discontinued in 1988. 

In 2007, Rolex brought back the Milgauss after nineteen years as the model Ref: 116400. There are currently three versions, a white dial or black dial with a standard colorless sapphire crystal, or the GV , “Glace Verte “anniversary model,” with black dial of a slightly different design and a green tinted sapphire crystal. The GV is the only Rolex produced with a green tinted crystal. Although initially rumored to be a limited edition, the GV version is still produced 7 years later. Also, Rolex patented this unique green tint to the dial and again only use it on the GV version of the Milgauss.

Due to its internal magnetic shield, the Rolex Milgauss is thicker than the Submariner, but the same width and weighs 157 grams. The Rolex Milgauss is also produced in the typical Rolex stainless steel  904L – extremely scratch and corrosion resistant. Aside from its resistance to magnetic fields, the Rolex Milgauss’ most unusual feature is its orange lightning-bolt second hand, a unique feature in the Rolex lineup that was originally introduced with the 6541 Rolex Milgauss model.

The post The Rolex Milgauss appeared first on Bezel & Barrel written by Michael DiMartini.