Rolex. A rare and attractive stainless steel automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with black honeycomb dial, sweep centre seconds and bracelet
Lot 422

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. 412'253, CIRCA 1958

Closed12 May 2014

Price Realised

CHF 125,000

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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. 412'253, circa 1958
Cal. 1066 automatic movement, 25 jewels, anti-magnetic cap, black honeycomb dial, applied dagger numerals, luminous accents, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back stamped IV.1958, screw down crown, smooth bezel, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.

Specialist note

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

The Milgauss reference 6541 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.