Milgauss is Mil-gone
As reported by Hodinkee today, the Milgauss is no more. Removed from the Rolex website. I find this interesting. On one level it makes sense. The Milgauss, while a cult favorite, was not a modern flag ship model, coveted like the Daytona, Sub, or GMT Master 2. But the Milgauss was also kind of the last Rolex with a real use case; the last horse in the stable that had a job other than being a lawn ornament. I’m sure lots of people will disagree with me on this (I am aware you can dive with a sub and track home time with a gmt. Don’t @ me please). But does it not seem that by dropping the Milgauss Rolex has just given up on the last vestige of corporate ethos to make watches with a real purpose, for people in a specific field with specific needs unmatched in quality by other brands? I hope they bring it back. It’s weird, and we all need more weird.
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With the new silicon hairsprings, it's superfluous.
I think they should have kept the Milgauss and not bothered with the updated dial designs on the OP.
More like Milgood Riddance am I right?
Never really saw its relevance in a world of METAS certifications.
It's too bad. The green sapphire crystal of the Milgauss is so cool and distinct. It's one of the few Rolex references that I'd like to own some day. The mantle of quirky cult favorite now falls to the Air King.
I'm going to miss the lightning bolt second hand. Maybe there will be a homage to Milgauss.
As other folks have mentioned here, Milgauss=1000 Gauss. If someone needed an anti-magnetic watch, there are better options for the job.
I think the Milgauss will be re-modeled and re-released eventually, but with a higher spec. Possibly renamed, cause "1000 Gauss" isn't really a name/spec that is worth dedicating an entire line to anymore.
That would be neat if they did, i.e brought it back but upped the specs. Make it hardened against a magnetic field so intense it would kill the wearer before the watch failed. Or maybe 1000 gauss already does that? I am not a scientist, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
It's too bad. The green sapphire crystal of the Milgauss is so cool and distinct. It's one of the few Rolex references that I'd like to own some day. The mantle of quirky cult favorite now falls to the Air King.
Or Sky Dweller? That thing is pretty out there.
As a watch it is cool, perhaps one of the cooler watches from the crown. As a stated tool watch? As others said, pointless.
Was on the list. Gutted. 😭
Hope they use the green sapphire elsewhere. 🙏
Was on the list. Gutted. 😭
Hope they use the green sapphire elsewhere. 🙏
Oh no! That’s the worst!
I am fairly certain we will see a refreshed version in the future..JMO
This line being dropped saddens me, I have been waiting for the call to buy one.
I'm expecting a press release from CERN.
Personally, I always liked the watch.
I only love the Milgauss w/ the matte black dial and green crystal, because it’s so polarizing. I’m actually glad Rolex discontinued it, because now they can’t mess up this little redheaded step child.
It might turn up on the Tudor website next with snowflake hands who can tell . Good luck owners their prices just shot up !
More like Milgood Riddance am I right?
Like the one Bond that no one remembers, the Aussie Bond ….
Was on the list. Gutted. 😭
Hope they use the green sapphire elsewhere. 🙏
Green sunburst OP would suit !
Many modern mechanical luxury watches can withstand 1000 Gauss no problem. Rolex could probably print Milgauss on many of their current watches and wouldn't be lying ...and I can already see how someone will take this personally but if any of their watches can do the job, i.e. be used in scientific and engineering environments, then, in my opinion, the Milgauss isn't a purpose built (luxury) watch for scientific and engineering environments but simply a clunky watch with a lightning bolt.
I think they should have kept the Milgauss and not bothered with the updated dial designs on the OP.
Agreed. Plus, I was wondering about that “celebration” dial. Are they supposed to be balloons? Shouldn’t they be crowded at the top? To me they look more like gumballs at the bottom of a vending machine. I’m also not sure who would wear that — assuming they could actually get one.
Green sunburst OP would suit !
Still on the list for an Air King. 😀
Was on the list. Gutted. 😭
Hope they use the green sapphire elsewhere. 🙏
You can get them online for pretty fair-ish prices still . . . That may not be the case very soon bc people are going to take advantage of this.
The 37mm version is my grail watch
Only thing I liked about the Milgauss was that 'fun' lightning bolt especially coming from Rolex. If I guess the strategy, discontinue the Milgauss, wait for prices to shoot up, then reintroduce a new Milgauss at new price levels. In any case, I'm going to miss it.
I've mentioned this before. It's likely this is simply a three year moratorium on the model. Considering the 70th anniversary for this model is due in 2026 its extremely likely they are simply pulling this model off shelves because its taking up production for something that is (now) unique to this model (the case shape is outdated and the faraday cage is also unnecessary. Also the Airking has been updated so its even less necessary).
Rolex has a STRONG preference towards efficiency (which is necessary considering how many units they produce). I knew the moment they discontinued the old airking line in favor of creating a new Airking case they were likely going to discontinue the milgauss soon after. Now comes the question of what new case is the Milgauss going to pick up?
The likely answer is that they are going to continue the relationship between the Airking and the Milgauss and have the new Milgauss share the same case construction as the new Airking.
What I want however is for them to use the submariner case and have the Milgauss move towards its turnograph vintage roots (the 6541) but that is highly unlikely and me just dreaming.
Another interesting possibility I thought of is them utilizing the Yachmaster Titanium case for this due to Titanium being naturally more anti-magnetic. (again pipe dream)
It's a damn shame to me really. While (as many, many others have already pointed out) its magnetic resistance is no longer class-leading nor anything special, it has a special place in my heart. It was (and still is) the Rolex that I want.
It has a Faraday cage inside it. Anything that makes you sound like a hopeless nerd when attempting to explain it is always cool in my book. Rest in peace, Milgauss; someone misses you.
I think they’ll bring it back in 3 years for the 70th anniversary!
As other folks have mentioned here, Milgauss=1000 Gauss. If someone needed an anti-magnetic watch, there are better options for the job.
I think the Milgauss will be re-modeled and re-released eventually, but with a higher spec. Possibly renamed, cause "1000 Gauss" isn't really a name/spec that is worth dedicating an entire line to anymore.
It is well over 1000 gauss at this point. Adding a silicon hairspring would make it similar to the Omega offerings. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it come back with 50000 gauss in a few years.
With the new silicon hairsprings, it's superfluous.
Haha, aren’t all mechanical timepieces superfluous compared to smartwatches😉