Rolex. A rare and attractive stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with black honeycomb dial, sweep centre seconds and bracelet
Lot 77

Rolex. A rare and attractive stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with black honeycomb dial, sweep centre seconds and bracelet

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, MILGAUSS, REF. 6541, CASE NO. 412'047, CIRCA 1958

Closed11 November 2013

Price Realised

CHF 317,000

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Rolex. A rare and attractive stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with black honeycomb dial, sweep centre seconds and bracelet
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, Ref. 6541, case no. 412'047, circa 1958
Cal. 1030 automatic lever movement, 25 jewels, anti-magnetic cap, black honeycomb dial, silvered dot and applied dagger numerals, sweep centre seconds hand, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back stamped IV.1958, screw down crown, revolving black bezel calibrated for 60 units, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With Rolex blank guarantee and period Milgauss Brochure.

The present "Milgauss" model is preserved in very appealing, original overall condition. It features in addition the very rare and sought after honeycomb dial, consisting of two cross aluminium layers to protect it even further against magnetic radiation.

The Milgauss reference 6541 with revolving black bezel was introduced to the market in the 1950s. It was designed for use in areas of high electro-magnetic radiation, such as research labs or power stations. The influence of radiation on the balance work results in losing accuracy. These effects can be reduced by using the principles of a "Faraday Cage", e.g. by placing the movement in an iron inner case shielding the movement.

The Faraday Cage is attributed to the physicist Michael Faraday who, in 1863, built a room coated with metal foil and allowed high-voltage discharges from an electrostatic generator to strike its outside. He then used an electroscope to show that there was no excess electric charge on the inside of the room's walls.

In the mid-1960s, the redesigned reference 1019 with blank bezel was launched. Both reference numbers are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, p. 33.