Rolex's Tesla Challenge

[saxo3]

The tests revealed Rolex engineers were able to crank up the power to 4 tesla, or 40,000 gauss, before seeing any adverse effects on the timing of the watch. "The only threshold in this configuration was observed after exposure to 4 T," said the patent, using the tesla unit. "Which is absolutely remarkable."

It's unclear if these innovations will find their ways to Watches and Wonders in 2024. The Milgauss line was discontinued a year ago. With today’s advances in horology, all Rolex watches are anti-magnetic to more than 1,000 gauss, which put a question mark on the Milgauss' raison d'être.

"Honouring science" was Rolex’s most recent tagline for the Milgauss up until the day it was discontinued, a reference to its long-term association with Geneva-based Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, or CERN. Rolex has not given up its relationship with CERN, which is still featured prominently on rolex.org.

But one thing for sure, Rolex's innovative spirit will make the brand untouchable when it comes to anti-magnetic property — and will resurrect hopefully the historic Milgauss line.


Source: https://coron.et/new-long-reads/rolexs-tesla-challenge

[RTG]

Awesome intel. Thanks for posting. Looking forward to the next Milguass.

[colonelpurple]

Originally Posted by saxo3

It's unclear if these innovations will find their ways to Watches and Wonders in 2024. The Milgauss line was discontinued a year ago. With today’s advances in horology, all Rolex watches are anti-magnetic to more than 1,000 gauss, which put a question mark on the Milgauss' raison d'être.

Note that the air-king uses the same case and configuration of the milgauss, it is effectively the same watch with different dial

also the Omega railmaster is guaranteed up to 15000 gauss

[SearChart]

Very interesting stuff! Definitely hope for the return of the Milgauss

[saxo3]

Rolex Patent Could Revive Milgauss Line

A patent filed by Rolex with the Swiss Institut Fédéral de la Propriété Intellectuelle reveals the brand is working to improve further the anti-magnetic properties of its watches.

Rolex engineers realized they didn’t need to redesign the Parachrom — or Syloxi — hairspring to raise the current anti-magnetic rating. They just needed to change the composition of the balance wheel with an alloy less conductive to electricity. Rolex said the findings were “surprising and unexpected.”

When Rolex engineers conducted testing with a balance wheel made of lead-free brass, the watch could withstand up to 40,000 gauss, instead of 25,000 gauss with a balance wheel made of copper-beryllium, the alloy in the current collection.

The results are “absolutely remarkable,” Rolex said in the patent.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Very interesting stuff! Definitely hope for the return of the Milgauss

You're our mole. Start asking around at the water cooler. Report back your findings. You'll be handsomely rewarded with emmenthaler.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Very interesting stuff! Definitely hope for the return of the Milgauss

We will name it the "QMG" from "quarante mille gauss"

[gamingdoctor]

Came into this thread expecting Elon Musk and rolexes, left pleasantly surprised!

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by colonelpurple

also the Omega railmaster is guaranteed up to 15000 gauss

Most Omega movements can withstand 15000 gauss, not limited to the Railmaster.

And back in 2017 their AquaTerra survived up to 16T (160000 gauss):

https://www.fratellowatches.com/1500...0-gauss-omega/

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by colonelpurple

Note that the air-king uses the same case and configuration of the milgauss, it is effectively the same watch with different dial

also the Omega railmaster is guaranteed up to 15000 gauss

AK is different in a few ways. Milgauss has an engraved case back, polished case, different crown, incredible green crystal and iconic lighting seconds hand. Most importantly it has, in the case of the Z Blue, a magnificent dial. The AK is perhaps the most unattractive looking watch Rolex has ever made. The new crown guard version is better but that dial is atrocious. But yes, effectively the same

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by saxo3

The tests revealed Rolex engineers were able to crank up the power to 4 tesla, or 40,000 gauss, before seeing any adverse effects on the timing of the watch. "The only threshold in this configuration was observed after exposure to 4 T," said the patent, using the tesla unit. "Which is absolutely remarkable."

It's unclear if these innovations will find their ways to Watches and Wonders in 2024. The Milgauss line was discontinued a year ago. With today’s advances in horology, all Rolex watches are anti-magnetic to more than 1,000 gauss, which put a question mark on the Milgauss' raison d'être.

"Honouring science" was Rolex’s most recent tagline for the Milgauss up until the day it was discontinued, a reference to its long-term association with Geneva-based Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, or CERN. Rolex has not given up its relationship with CERN, which is still featured prominently on rolex.org.

But one thing for sure, Rolex's innovative spirit will make the brand untouchable when it comes to anti-magnetic property — and will resurrect hopefully the historic Milgauss line.


Source: https://coron.et/new-long-reads/rolexs-tesla-challenge

My take is this technology will be in every Rolex.

The Milgauss is gone forever.

[77T]

In the Milgauss, Rolex achieved its magnetic field resistance in part by protecting the movement with an internal soft iron cover.

The apparent advantage of the patent is that such a Faraday cage wouldn’t be necessary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

AK is different in a few ways. Milgauss has an engraved case back, polished case, different crown, incredible green crystal and iconic lighting seconds hand. Most importantly it has, in the case of the Z Blue, a magnificent dial. The AK is perhaps the most unattractive looking watch Rolex has ever made. The new crown guard version is better but that dial is atrocious. But yes, effectively the same

None of those things have anything to do with what @colonelpurple said. Namely that the Airking and the Rolex have the same case which has magnetic shielding. All the stuff you mentioned is cosmetic.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

None of those things have anything to do with what @colonelpurple said. Namely that the Airking and the Rolex have the same case which has magnetic shielding. All the stuff you mentioned is cosmetic.

Yes, not effectively the same at all. Are all Rolex with parachrome hairspring effectively the same? Obviously they aren’t and AK is not the same watch as a Milgauss, however one tries to make it so.

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

My take is this technology will be in every Rolex.

The Milgauss is gone forever.

This would be my guess too. Is there still an usecase for this technology to put it only in the Milgauss?

[Rolex1982]

Thnx OP for sharing the info!!

[cpatab2020]

Great info in this thread. Thank you.

[CarlOver]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

AK is different in a few ways. Milgauss has an engraved case back, polished case, different crown, incredible green crystal and iconic lighting seconds hand. Most importantly it has, in the case of the Z Blue, a magnificent dial. The AK is perhaps the most unattractive looking watch Rolex has ever made. The new crown guard version is better but that dial is atrocious. But yes, effectively the same

I think you missed the biggest difference.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

I think you missed the biggest difference.

Cool. I did reply to you the name of the Hermes Le Temps Suspendu, if that makes up for it.

[Easy E]

What happens to people at 40,000 gauss?

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Easy E

What happens to people at 40,000 gauss?

Not much.

"Effect of static magnetic field exposure of up to 8 Tesla on sequential human vital sign measurements"
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmri.10367

BUT avoid (high) magnetic fields if you have a pacemaker!

[lab rat]

Interesting. Thanks, OP.

[colonelpurple]

As a reference, the magnets in use today in MRI are in the 0.5-Tesla to 3.0-Tesla range, or 5,000 to 30,000 gauss. This is considered harmless.


If you were mad enough, you could have your watch in a bag next to the MRI machine and a 40,000 watch protection would be ok, but I wouldn't risk it.

Funnily enough I did put a watch in a locker outside an MRI room last year. it was a mistake, I should have taken my Casio. Anyway the watch was heavily magnetised and I need to buy a de-magnetiser - which was a bit of fun!

[travisb]

Thanks for the info and research! Maybe a new Milgauss in the works.

[Scottyboy]

Very interesting and informative, thanks for sharing.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

You're our mole. Start asking around at the water cooler. Report back your findings. You'll be handsomely rewarded with emmenthaler.

I don't want to disappear into the back of a black van

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

Yes, not effectively the same at all. Are all Rolex with parachrome hairspring effectively the same? Obviously they aren’t and AK is not the same watch as a Milgauss, however one tries to make it so.

They're the same watch.

[colonelpurple]

Originally Posted by SearChart

They're the same watch.

[askdanny]

If Rolex tests its diving watches at 125% of the rating, I expect the new Milgauss rating to be less than 4 tesla.

The Milgauss is such a historic line that I don't expect Rolex to forever close it. It did the same with the Air-King.

[learnmids]

Interesting post.Thanks