THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 1019
YEAR: 1968
BOX/PAPERS: YES/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 38MM
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC
In the world of vintage Rolex collecting, the Milgauss 1019 is perhaps one of the most elusive references. These watches rarely appear on social media, there are few dedicated collector guides for the model, and a quick search on your favourite watch platform often leaves enthusiasts disappointed—there are barely any available for sale.
However, for the select few who are in the know, it remains one of the coolest Rolexes ever made. The 1019 is a true tool watch, born out of necessity to serve engineers and scientists alike. The Milgauss solved a critical issue: resistance to magnetism. They proved so useful that the clever chaps at CERN famously adopted them.
Much like other collectible vintage Rolex models, however, the 1019 received little attention throughout its staggering 28-year production run (almost exactly alongside the 1016, believe it or not). These watches often sat in shop windows for years before finally being sold, frequently at a heavy discount. Why that was the case, we may never know: because these watches aren’t just functional; they are undeniably beautiful.
1019s are already hard to find, and examples with black dials are as rare as hens’ teeth. This 1967 example was originally sold at Chin Kong Watch & Pen Store in Singapore (a shop that used to exist on North Bridge Road, not far from where I (Tommy) lived), after spending four years in a shop window. Fifty-five years later, the watch has been kept in fantastic condition. The case has been polished before but remains superbly strong: there has been minimal wear following a Rolex service in 2018.
The tritium dial and flat hands are Rolex service replacements, likely from the mid-to-late 1970s. The dial remains in amazing condition; the enamel-filled markers and beautifully aged tritium lume pop against the matte black background. The movement arrived in excellent health, running at +2 s/day, with an amplitude of 285° and a beat error of 0.1 ms.
The watch comes complete with its original box, both tags (including serial), Rolex service papers, and its original guarantee. A fantastic-looking vintage Rolex that rarely comes up for sale.