Rolex Milgauss 6541

Rolex Ref. 6541; inside caseback stamped IV 1958 A rare and highly attractive amagnetic stainless steel wristwatch with “tropical” honeycomb dial, lightning hand and bracelet

Manufacturer : Rolex Year : Circa 1958 Reference No : 6541; inside caseback stamped IV 1958 Movement No : DN899’666 Case No : 412’333 Model Name : Milgauss Material : Stainless steel Calibre : Automatic, cal. 1066, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Stainless steel Rolex riveted bracelet, endlinks stamped “80”, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “1.58 Dimensions : 39mm diameter Signed : Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signedReleased in 1956, the reference 6541 represents the very first iteration of the Milgauss. The model targeted a very specific - albeit at the time novel and growing - market: scientists, engineers, and technicians working with high magnetic fields in electro-industrial environments or scientific facilities; indeed its iconic “lightning” seconds hand is an obvious nod to electromagnetism. Most impressively, the Milgauss was guaranteed to resist magnetic fields up to 1,000 oersted. The name Milgauss is derived from the Latin word mille, which means 1,000, and gauss, the unit of measure for a magnetic field. The Milgauss overcomes the effects of magnetic fields by using anti-magnetic alloys and an iron inner movement case to create a Faraday cage. A specimen born from circa 1958, the lightning bolt ref. 6541 features an exceedingly attractive “honeycomb” dial with light tropicalization with the red Milgauss designation faded into a light pink. Boasting a case serial of 412’333 sitting within range of other known examples, its notable that the bridge in the movement also features an engraved “M” for Milgauss as well as the ROW stamp confirming that this time piece was indeed exported to the United States. Engraved with “Charles Sheffield” on the caseback, this 6541 is possibly a tool watch belonging to the English-born mathematician, theoretical physicist and science-fiction writer Dr. Charles Sheffield (1935-2002). A man of many hats, Sheffield doctoral work was on Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, he also served as Chief Scientist at the Earth Satellite Corporation Washington, a D.C. based firm that specializes in analysis of data gathered from space. His science fiction novels also won him the Nebula and Hugo awards in 1993.