Designed with the scientific community in mind, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss, first introduced in 1956, offers a powerful resistance to magnetic fields, a common issue in the realms of research and technology. The name “Milgauss” is derived from the Latin word ‘mille’, which means thousand, and ‘gauss’, the unit of magnetic field measurement, signifying the watch’s resistance to up to 1,000 gauss. Boasting unique aesthetic elements such as the lightning bolt second hand, the Milgauss stands out in Rolex’s lineup for its distinctive design and specialized purpose. Let’s delve into the fascinating features of the Rolex Milgauss with these ten detailed facts:
- Magnetic Field Resistance: The key feature of the Milgauss is its resistance to magnetic fields. It was initially designed for scientists and engineers who often worked in environments with strong magnetic fields which could disrupt the timing of a mechanical watch.
- Faraday Cage: The Milgauss achieves its magnetic resistance by encasing the movement inside a Faraday cage, a shield of soft iron that distributes electromagnetic radiation around the cage, thereby protecting the movement.
- Lightning Bolt Second Hand: One of the most distinctive design features of the Milgauss is its orange lightning bolt-shaped second hand, which is a nod to the watch’s scientific and electromagnetic theme.
- GV – Glace Verte: The Milgauss is unique in the Rolex lineup for its tinted green sapphire crystal, also known as Glace Verte. It adds an intriguing look to the watch and plays with light in an interesting way. Remarkably, Rolex does not patent this crystal as it’s so difficult to make that they consider it virtually impossible to replicate.
- Oystersteel: Like other Rolex professional watches, the Milgauss is made from Oystersteel, a type of 904L stainless steel that is highly corrosion-resistant and maintains an excellent finish when polished.
- Calibre 3131: The Milgauss is powered by Rolex’s self-winding mechanical movement, Calibre 3131. It is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests.
- Water Resistance: Despite its specialized magnetic resistance, the Milgauss still retains the robust water resistance common to the Oyster case design, capable of withstanding depths of up to 100 meters (330 feet).
- Oyster Bracelet: The Milgauss is equipped with an Oyster bracelet with flat three-piece links, made of Oystersteel. It also features an Oysterclasp and the Easylink comfort extension link, which allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm for additional comfort.
- Rolex Rehaut: The Milgauss, like other modern Rolex models, features a laser-etched Rolex logo on the inner edge of the dial, known as the rehaut. This feature serves as both an anti-counterfeit measure and a sign of Rolex’s attention to detail.
- Limited Range: Unlike many other Rolex models, the Milgauss is only available in one size (40mm) and in stainless steel. It’s currently available with a black or blue dial, and with or without the green sapphire crystal. This limited range underlines the Milgauss’s unique position within Rolex’s lineup as a specialized, purpose-driven timepiece.
