Rolex. A fine stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet
Lot 163

Rolex. A fine stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, MILGAUSS, REF. 1019, CASE NO. 1'914'985, MANUFACTURED IN 1968

Closed12 May 2014

Price Realised

CHF 17,500

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Rolex. A fine stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, ref. 1019, case no. 1'914'985, manufactured in 1968
Cal. 1580 automatic movement, 26 jewels, gilt anti-magnetic cap, silvered brushed dial, applied baton numerals with luminous accents, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds hand with red arrow tip, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial, and movement signed
37.5 mm. diam.

Specialist note

The Milgauss model was designed for use in areas of high electro-magnetic fields found in laboratories and electro-engineering. One of the most distinctive of all Rolex Sports models, the 1019 was the last 'tool' watch designed for a specific activity to be made by the renowned firm. In production from 1966 to 1990, the model was only available in stainless steel. Its name is derived from the Greek "Mil" for thousand and "Gauss", the unit to measure magnetism. A normal watch movement can withstand to 70-90 Gauss whereas the Milgauss keeps its incredibly precision in a magnetic field up to 1000 Gauss.
The present watch has several notable features on the dial that distinguish it as an early example. The metal baton numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock are filled with luminous material, while the remainder have applied luminous dots on the upper end. The outer scale is also calibrated for seconds, quarter and half seconds. As of the mid-1970's, all of the baton numerals were filled with black paint, and the luminous accents were set directly onto the dial plate. The outer scale also only showed seconds and half seconds.
Reference 1019 is illustrated in 100 Years of Rolex by F. & G. Mondani, 2008, p. 120.