Oyster Perpetual Milgauss

ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL,MILGAUSS, REF. 116400, FULL-SET

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is proud to introduce here a very fine and attractive, water-resistant, stainless steel, automatic anti-magnetic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet, a Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, ref. 116400, from 2013, full-set.

Launched in 2007, after nearly 20 years since the discontinuation of reference 1019, the new Rolex Milgauss Reference 116400 is similar to the previous ref. 6541 and 1019 to achieve high resistance to magnetic fields: the movement is enclosed into a metal « box » which acts as faraday cage, allowing the piece to run smoothly even in magnetic fields up to 1000 Gauss. Made of ferromagnetic alloys selected by Rolex, it surrounds and protects the movement. As a  symbol for magnetic flux density – the capital letter ‘B’ with an arrow – is engraved on the antimagnetic cap above the movement.

Patented in 1954, the model was specially designed for scientific and engineer in the 1950s. « The Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is a pioneering anti-magnetic watch designed to meet the demands of engineers and scientists. Created in 1956, it can withstand magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss. Hence its name, “mille”, which is French for one thousand. The first watch of its kind, the Milgauss combines unique aesthetics and scientific heritage. » quoted Rolex website.

Ref. 116400 introduced a sapphire crystal, a stainless steel 904L oyster case, a bigger diameter of 40 mm, a better water-resistancy to 100m, a caliber 3131 to remplace the previous cal. 1580. The size between the lugs remains the same at 20 mm. Its most striking characteristic is without a doubt the orange “Thunderbolt” second hand, an homage to the vintage model ref. 6541.

The model has a three-body construction: a large water-resistant Rolex Oyster stainless steel, 40 mm diameter, tonneau-shaped case with polished downturned lugs and screwed crown, an inclined polished steel bezel, a screwed plain case back.

Under the sapphire crystal, laser engraved with a small crown at 6, we find a mint black matte dial, applied luminous steel Baton indexes, outer minute and second division with 5-minute square orange accents, luminous steel Baton hands, orange “lightning-bolt” sweep centre seconds, applied large crown logo at 12.

Under the screwed antimagnetic cap, engraved with a « B », the model is equipped with calibre 3131, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The 3131 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. Dial, case and movement are signed.

The Milgauss model is still available with a tinted crystal, a green sapphire one, with either a blue or a black dial. The Milgauss models, without teinted glass, such as the present watch, are no more in production. The actual retail price (2020) is around 7’900.- CHF

Sold full-set and in extremely good overall condition, the present watch would please any Rolex collector that is seeking for a great Milgauss without the green sapphire crystal effect.

Condition: 9.5/10, full-set, in extremely good overall condition, light polishing at Rolex manufacture, a tiny tiny scratch on the glass above 5 o’clock.