Rolex Milgauss Watches

About Rolex Milgauss Watches

The 1950s saw the need for an antimagnetic watch that would be reliable for scientists, and the Milgauss was born. To create the model, Rolex partnered with the European Organization for Nuclear Research known as CERN. After rigorous testing, they were able to construct the necessary components for the movement and case that served as a magnetic shield for the watch.

The Milgauss is able to withstand electromagnetic fields of up to 1000 gauss. The name comes from this combination of the Latin world for 1000, mille, and the unit of magnetic fields, gauss. Rolex modelled the original Milgauss, the Reference 6541, after the Submariner, with a number of modifications. One example is its oversized case that could accommodate a built-in Faraday cage that protected the movement.

The second variation of the Milgauss, the Reference 1019, featured the addition of the now iconic orange lightning bolt second hand that contrasts the black dial. In 1988, Rolex decided to discontinue the production of the Milgauss, but revived the collection in 2007 and debuted three new limited-edition versions.