Rolex calls time on Cellini and Milgauss models

While Watches and Wonders 2023 unveiled a whole raft of new and exciting watches, this meant it was inevitable we were going to bid farewell to some exceptional models too.

Rolex has decided it’s the end of the day for some of its iconic watches – its Milgauss antimagnetic timekeepers and Cellini dress watch.

In a somewhat surprising but equally long drawn out and expected twist, the Swiss brand parted ways with Milgauss’ uniquely scientific masterpiece. A particular favourite amongst Rolex sports model friends, it has been one of the longest-running modern references.

We had hoped they might launch a titanium version but it wasn’t to be.  

Instead, we finally say goodbye to the very cool orange lightning bolt seconds hand, the bi-colour lume and the green crystal in references 116400GV (with the black dial) and Z-Blue dial 116400GV.

It’s unknown as yet, whether a new Milgauss will enter the brand’s offerings.

How the Milgauss began

Before the days of the Milgauss, scientists had a problem; an electromagnetic field greater than 50 to 100 gauss would greatly disrupt the timing of a watch. They either had to deal with a dysfunctional timepiece, or not wear one at all.

After meticulous testing at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN),  it was determined that this new Milgauss could resist magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss. This was massive for the time.

But Milgauss was still discontinued in 1988. It was only in 2007 that the watch was revisited and three new versions were created.  Advancements included a magnetic alloy Parachrom-Blu hairspring, which is finer than a human hair, yet resistant to magnetic fields and up to 10 times more resistant to shocks.

Cellini

The Cellini collection was introduced back in 1968 as its new line of Art Deco, non-Oyster case dress watches. 

This line was a real symbol of elegance and sophistication. Along with the Datejust and Day-Date collections, this was the range of stylish formal watches that helped establish Rolex as a luxury watchmaker.

The 1970s saw the debut of the Rolex Cellini Midas, which became a staple model in the collection – based on a limited edition model designed by Gerald Genta in 1962.

Since then there have been a whole host of watches introduced to the collection but the Swiss brand decided it was the end of the line for the collection last year and discontinued all but one model – the Cellini Moonphase reference 50535. 

However, while the Cellini name has now entirely disappeared,, there is a new reminiscent collection with the same style, gold casing and elegant dials – called the Perpetual 1908.

Need more help?

If you’ve got a Rolex Cellini in the back of your closet it is worth saving for many reasons – not only its long life as a collection but it is the only range within Rolex that placed emphasis on traditional dress watch design over functionality.

We are interested in buying any preloved watches in either the Milgauss or Cellini collections. So if you do want to part ways with yours, contact our buying team today.