Rolex Milgauss discontinued

It was discussed for a long time, and in the first quarter of 2023 the time finally came: Rolex ended the production of the Milgauss . While the Swiss watch giant used Watches & Wonders as an opportunity to draw attention to eagerly awaited new products, the Milgauss disappeared from the Rolex website. A good reason to look back and shed light on the past of the special watch for scientists and engineers. At the same time, we would like to show what options are available to all those who would like to purchase a Milgauss model despite production having been discontinued.

History of the Rolex Milgauss: A Look Back

The name of the Rolex Milgauss says it all: the watch can easily withstand magnetic influences of up to 1,000 gauss without being damaged. This is something that not every mechanical watch can claim. Not today and certainly not in the 1950s, when the special Rolex models were developed and first released.

History and Development of the Rolex Milgauss

At the time the watch was created, it was clear that electromagnetic influences would play an increasing role as technology advanced. Since conventional mechanical watches often stopped working at 50 gauss, this resulted in the need for a watch that was more resistant to electromagnetic waves: the idea for the Milgauss was born. The first prototype of the robust watch was presented in 1954, but the official release of the "magnetic field-resistant" Rolex watches did not follow until 1956.

The first Milgauss watch presented to the public was the Ref. 6541 and already used ferromagnetic alloys, which remained part of the models until the end. These materials form a kind of protective shield around the movement and ensure that it remains unaffected by magnetic fields. According to information from the manufacturer, the first references were used by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.

Significance of the Rolex Milgauss within the Rolex collection

Rolex gives sailors the Yacht-Master , pilots enjoy the Air-King , racing drivers have their Cosmograph Daytona "John Mayer" or " Paul Newman " and the brand meets the needs of divers with various models from the Submariner to the Deep Sea . It is therefore not too far-fetched to also offer special watches for scientists and engineers. This is exactly the place that the Milgauss occupied, appealing not only to people who actually came into contact with strong magnetic fields, but also to watch lovers and collectors with a penchant for the unusual. Nevertheless, when the models first went on sale, general interest was limited and this has hardly changed up until recently. The Milgauss had and still has its fans, but it was always in the shadow of more famous Rolex models, such as the Day-Date , the Explorer or the Datejust.

Reasons for Attitude: An Analysis

After the Rolex Milgauss had to take a break between 1988 and 2007, the current production cessation is certainly not one of the biggest surprises that the watch industry has come up with in 2023. In 1988, the brand justified its departure from the Milgauss watches with the comparatively weak sales figures. But is that still the reason why Rolex is removing the model from its range today? Quite possible. After all, there are now strong competitors that far surpass the Rolex Milgauss in terms of its former unique selling point - resistance to magnetic fields - and are cheaper. Just think of the anti-magnetic Omega Aqua Terra , which withstands up to 15,000 gauss.

For some watch fans, the rather massive model, which is over 13 mm high, may simply have been too bulky, and the Milgauss-typical orange lightning bolt hand is certainly not to everyone's taste. The discontinuation of production could well have had something to do with the performance of the watches on the market - but we cannot know that for sure.

Alternatives and Heirlooms: The Search for the Rolex Milgauss

For some collectors, the disappearance of the Milgauss has awakened an even greater desire to own this or a similar watch. Since it is no longer possible to purchase one from the manufacturer, the only option is to look for alternatives or buy on the grey market.

Presentation of alternatives for watch lovers

The most obvious alternative to the Rolex is the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, which we have already mentioned, and whose prices start at just under €6,000 depending on the reference. Significantly more expensive, but also antimagnetic and, above all, incredibly stylish, is the Geophysic 1958 from Jaeger-LeCoultre , which unfortunately does not have ideal availability due to the strictly limited edition. Another option is the Panerai Luminor Submersible Amagnetic made of titanium, which is protected against electromagnetic waves by a soft iron cage and is available with a dial in muted green, for example.

market for used Milgauss models

One possible step for anyone who owns an original Milgauss and does not want to resort to an alternative is to look for a reasonably affordable model on the secondary market . However, as we have seen countless times with other models, the cessation of production has also boosted demand for the Milgauss.

How much does a Rolex Milgauss cost on the grey market?

Accordingly, the prices that one pays today for one of the watches listed are in some cases significantly higher than the price that was usual a year ago. Of course, the costs vary depending on the reference and also on the condition of the watches from the Swiss manufacturer. The Milgauss Ref. 116400GV-0001 with a black dial, for example, is available from around €13,000.

Conclusion

Originally developed for scientists and engineers, the Rolex Milgauss was always a very special model that had its fans but could not keep up with Rolex icons such as the Day-Date, the Cosmograph Daytona or the Datejust. Nevertheless, the discontinuation of production may have been a disappointment for many collectors. The good news: If you take some time to search and are open to different references, you have a chance of getting a well-preserved Milgauss on the secondary market.