Rolex Milgauss: Generation Z

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The 40mm Rolex Milgauss (Reference: case: 116400 GV, bracelet: 72400) launched at the 2014 BaselWorld watch fair houses the Calibre 3131 automatic movement and features the Z blue dial. It is water-resistant to 100m (330 feet). Priced at CHF7,800. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

The 40mm Rolex Milgauss (Reference: case: 116400 GV, bracelet: 72400) launched at the 2014 BaselWorld watch fair houses the Calibre 3131 automatic movement and features the Z blue dial. It is water-resistant to 100m (330 feet). Priced at CHF7,800. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2014

In 1956, the Rolex Milgauss was introduced and it was targeted at engineers and technicians, notably those who were regularly exposed to magnetic fields due to the nature of their profession.

The Milgauss was designed to resist strong magnetic interference of up to 1,000 gauss. The “Mil” came from “mille”, the French word for “thousand” while “gauss” is a measurement for magnetic induction.

It seemed that the Milgauss was the watch of choice for scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.

According to Martin Skeet and Nick Urul in their book, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, the first version of the Milgauss was the 6541 model. They add that it was the third version of this model that had a red arrowhead at the tip of the continuous sweep seconds hand.

The characteristic lightning bolt seconds hand seen on modern-day Milgauss watches was first introduced with the fourth version of the 6541 model. However, it was dropped when the Model 1019 Milgauss replaced the 6541.

The first generation Rolex Milgauss with the green sapphire crystal was launched in 2007.

The second generation Milgauss with the green sapphire crystal, launched in 2014, and seen above now features an electric blue dial, named the Z blue dial. The alphabet used refers to the zirconium content.

Ferromagnetic alloys surrounding the movement within the Oyster case of the modern-day Milgauss are its first line of defence against magnetic fields.

The second line of defence involves two key components of the movement – the oscillator and the escapement which are both made of paramagnetic materials developed by Rolex.

The Parachrom hairspring used in the Calibre 3131 of the Milgauss is not affected by magnetic fields and is highly stable even with temperature variations.

Moreover, it is ten times better than a traditional hairspring in the event of shocks.

Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50: The ball is in your court

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The Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 Limited Edition scores many firsts for the brand. There are at least five good reasons to acquire one. Well, make it six; the sixth reason is what you see above – the prominent luminescent dial in darkness, especially with the fireworks display in the background on a special day: 9 August 2015. Photo: Ball Watch, modified by TimeWerke

The Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 Limited Edition scores many firsts for the brand. There are at least five good reasons to acquire one. Well, make it six; the sixth reason is what you see above – the prominent luminescent dial in darkness, especially with the fireworks display in the background on a special day: 9 August 2015. Photo: Ball Watch, modified by TimeWerke

While the “SG” could well be taken to be the abbreviation for “Simon & Garfunkel” and the “50” could well be the anniversary of their highly popular “The Sound of Silence” folk-rock hit or maybe even that for “I am a Rock”, these aren’t the official reasons for the “SG” and “50” formed by micro gas tubes on the Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 Limited Edition.

Note: The “Sound of Silence” is a song from Simon & Garfunkel’s 1964 debut studio album. The “remixed” single was released in 1965. The song “I am a Rock” was written by Paul Simon and released in 1965.

The Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 Limited Edition is a very special piece and there is actually a very good reason for the “SG” and “50” on the Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 Limited Edition.

Firstly, it is the watch that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence (1965 to 2015).

The Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 is a commemorative edition that marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. It is limited to 1,000 pieces and is priced at SGD2,800. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy

The 45mm Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50 is a commemorative edition that marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. It is water-resistant to 100m and is limited to 1,000 pieces. Priced at SGD2,800. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy

Secondly, with 93 micro gas tubes on the dial, it scores a first as this is the most (micro gas tubes) ever on any Ball Watch. More micro gas tubes had to be used to make up the alphabet “SG” representing “Singapore” and the Arabic numeral “50” for the country’s 50 birthday on the dial.

Thirdly, the display of alphabets with micro gas tubes marks another milestone for the brand. Ball Watch has never used its micro gas tubes to form alphabets till now.

In addition, there is a red SG50 logo at the nine o’clock position on the dial of this 1,000-piece limited edition series.

That is not all, Ball Watch will donate SGD50 to the Autism Resource Centre of Singapore for every Fireman Night Train SG50 sold.

This organisation has set up Pathlight School that offers education to autistic children. In this regard, Ball Watch has pledged to raise SGD10,000 for this cause.

The Fireman Night Train SG50 is without a doubt a special and meaningful piece. This timepiece has marked many firsts for Ball Watch and there are at least five good reasons to own one.

There are quite a few good reasons to own the Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50. Among the reason: This piece has the most micro gas tubes ever on any Ball Watch. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy

There are quite a few good reasons to own the Ball Watch Fireman Night Train SG50. Among the reasons: This piece has the most micro gas tubes ever on any Ball Watch. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy

Make it six if you wish to count what the luminescence of the watch looks like in darkness.

Perhaps add a seventh if you are a fan of Simon & Garfunkel, as we are, especially if you truly enjoy “The Sound of Silence” and “I am a Rock”.

Of course, we would also like to mention other Simon & Garfunkel hits from other years like “Scarborough Fair / Canticle” (1966) and “Bridge over Troubled Waters” (1968).

However, “The Sound of Silence” remains among the best and is a highly emotional song for us.

Will you be the first to make the move in acquiring the Ball Watch Fireman Night Train with the prominent “SG” and “50”?

The ball, as they say, is in your court.