Pre-Owned
Rolex Milgauss Watches

The Rolex Milgauss was conceived in the 1950s, a period marked by significant scientific advancements. In true Rolex “tool watch” fashion it was designed with professionals in mind— specifically those regularly exposed to high magnetic fields, such as engineers and power plant technicians.

As strong magnetism can interfere with a watch’s balance, and therefore its precision, the Milgauss was considered a breakthrough in horological engineering, even inspiring other luxury watch brands to create their own antimagnetic models.

The name Milgauss itself was derived from the Latin word "mille," meaning one thousand, and "gauss," a French term for a unit of magnetic induction, named after the German physicist, Carl Friedrich Gauss.

Key milestones in the evolution of the Milgauss include the launch of the first model, the reference 6541, in 1954. This pioneering watch featured a conductive soft-iron inner case that prevented the movement from magnetic interference, even when subjected to magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss—hence the name “Milgauss”.

Aesthetically, this first model looked remarkably similar to the Rolex Submariner, launched in the same year, with an identical rotating bezel and dial markings. Updated versions, albeit with the same reference number, introduced a dedicated Milgauss dial, followed by its own bezel, before the introduction of a seconds-hand shaped like a lightning bolt, a distinctive and notable feature of more recent models.

In 1961, a new-look pared-down Milgauss was introduced. The reference 1019 dispensed with the rotating bezel entirely, and the minimalist dial—in black or white—was closer in design to an Oyster Perpetual, with simple baton indices. The lightning-bolt seconds hand was never used for this series.

This reference 1019 was discontinued in 1988, and the Milgauss entered a 19-year period of dormancy, making a triumphant return in 2007 with the revamped reference 116400.

From 2007 until it was discontinued in 2023, this last-generation Milgauss was produced in four colour variations, and all featured the lightning-bolt seconds hand, now in a vivid orange. These watches marked a departure from the brand’s usually conservative designs, with one version boasting an electric-blue dial beneath a green-tinted sapphire crystal. This was nicknamed the “Z-Blue”.

All four variants were equipped with the COSC-certified Calibre 3131 automatic movement, the classic three-link Oyster bracelet and a water resistance of 100 metres. As with all previous Milgauss models, it was made from stainless steel, albeit Rolex’s extra-hard 904L steel that was first introduced in the late 1980s.

This new Milgauss was also more resistant to magnetism than ever, thanks to several factors, including:

Although the Milgauss was discontinued in 2023, there is a strong chance that Rolex will revive it at some point, possibly with a radically revamped look. Until then, Milgauss watches are readily available to buy pre-owned, especially the last-generation models with the iconic orange lightning-bolt seconds hand.

At Watchfinder our range of pre-owned Rolex Milgauss watches is second to none. Browse our selection of this distinctive Rolex tool watch—nicknamed “the Scientist’s watch” by brand aficionados—and discover the perfect Milgauss for you.