Rolex. A very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black honeycomb dial, bracelet, Watch Rate Certificate and Guarantee
Prospective buyers should be aware that the import… Read more
Rolex. A very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black honeycomb dial, bracelet, Watch Rate Certificate and Guarantee

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, MILGAUSS, REF. 6541, MOVEMENT NO. DD607882, CASE NO. 412'454, MANUFACTURED IN 1958

Details
Rolex. A very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black honeycomb dial, bracelet, Watch Rate Certificate and Guarantee
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Milgauss, ref. 6541, movement no. DD607882, case no. 412'454, manufactured in 1958
Cal. 1055 nickel-finished lever movement, 25 jewels, anti-magnetic cap, black honeycomb dial, luminous dot numerals, applied silvered dagger numerals to 3, 6 and 9 o'clock, silvered dauphin hands, flash sweep centre seconds hand, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, black revolving bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw back stamped IV.1958, screw down crown, expandable stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp stamped 2.69, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.
Provenance
Until 2004: family of the original owner, Netherlands
18 May 2004 Christie's Geneva Important Pocketwatches and Wristwatches sale, lot 177
Since 18 May 2004: property of an important private collector
Special Notice
Prospective buyers should be aware that the importation of Rolex watches into the United States is highly restricted. Rolex watches may not be shipped into the USA and can only be imported personally. Generally a buyer may import only one watch into the USA. For further information please contact our specialists in charge of the sale. Please note other countries may have comparable import restrictions for luxury watches.

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Lot Essay

With Bureaux Suisse de Contrôle Officiel de la Marche des Chronomètres Watch Rate Certificate No. 1038964, Rolex Guarantee dated 26 January 1966 and original fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with copy of a letter from Rolex Geneva dated 29 January 1970, addressed to a past owner and confirming receipt of the amount of CHF78 for overhaul of the watch.

The present watch features the very rare and sought after honeycomb dial, consisting of two cross aluminium layers to protect it even further against magnetic radiation. It is furthermore preserved in very good, original overall condition, maintaining the original hands, bezel and the original Rating Certificate and Guarantee, all rarities by themselves.

Milgauss ref. 6541
The Milgauss model reference 6541 with black revolving bezel was introduced to the market in the 1950s. It was designed for use in areas of high electro-magnetic radiation, such as research labs or power stations. The influence of radiation on the balance work results in losing accuracy. These effects can be reduced by using the principles of a "Faraday Cage", e.g. by placing the movement in an iron inner case shielding the movement.

The Faraday Cage is attributed to the physicist Michael Faraday who, in 1863, built a room coated with metal foil and allowed high-voltage discharges from an electrostatic generator to strike its outside. He then used an electroscope to show that there was no excess electric charge on the inside of the room's walls.

Reference 6541 is illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 224 & 225, and in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, p. 33.

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