It was whilst working in magnetic environments that scientists at the Geneva-based CERN - Centre Européen de Recherche Nucléaire (European Organization for Nuclear Research), realized their need for a timepiece that could withstand the adverse effects of these fields on their timepieces.

The Milgauss was the result of the direct collaboration between Rolex and CERN, a watch that could withstand the effects of the intense magnetic fields the CERN’s engineers and scientists were working in. Deriving its name from the Latin “mille”, meaning thousand, and “Gauss” representing the unit measure for magnetism, the Milgauss could withstand exposure of up to 1000 Gauss with no effect on accuracy, whereas a typical watch movement can only withstand up to 70-90 Gauss.

In the early 1960s, the newly introduced Rolex Milgauss reference 1019, like the present lot, replaced the original two versions: references 6541 and 6543. Significantly thinner than its predecessors, it was manufactured until 1990 and was available only in stainless steel.

An extremely niche tool watch, the Milgauss was never a commercial success and consequently production numbers were low. Being from the late 1980s, its dial features luminous dots placed outside the applied hour markers, and its distinctive hands are in matte finished aluminum.

The present example comes full with Rolex guarantee, paperwork and fitted box which along with its large diameter and excellent wearability make a great value proposition to the connoisseur of vintage wristwatches.