ROLEX | MILGAUSS REF 6541, RARE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC ANTI MAGNETIC WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1959

The reference 6541 'Milgauss' was launched in 1954 and designed to be used by scientists and those working in areas where exposure to high magnetic fields was unavoidable. The watch was guaranteed to resist magnetic fields up to 1,000 oersted. The word Milgauss means 1,000 gauss (gauss being a measurement for magnetic induction). Magnetic fields can affect a watch's accuracy at just 60 oersted; at 100 oersted the watch will no longer work. The Milgauss overcame the effects of magnetic fields by using anti-magnetic alloys and an iron movement cover to create a Faraday cage (a nonporous enclosure used to block electrostatic and electromagnetic influences). The dial of this reference is made of webbed laminated copper to protect the movement from the magnetic fields, which collectors refer to as a 'honeycomb' dial.

For many aficionados, the dial is the most important part of a Rolex. It is reflection of the soul of the watch and expresses its character and charm.

The dial of the present lot is incredibly attractive for two reasons;

The first one is the "Milgauss" signature that is conspicuous by its absence. Indeed, there is no mention of it underneath the "Oyster Perpetual" signature. While collectors usually prefer to have more inscriptions on the dial than fewer, the omission of the name of the model places this example in an even much rarer category than a standard 6541, with less than a handful of pieces known to exist.

Secondly, the original black colour of the dial has turned to an even and attractive tropical brown , making it truly unique and extremely appealing.

This present lot, kept for generations within the same private family, is an incredible and exciting discovery for the international market.