One of the most recognizable sport watches ever made is the ‘lightning bolt’ Rolex Milgauss Ref. 6541 of the 1950’s. Faithfully reincarnated here with period-style features such as the gilt 'waffle' textured dial, work to create a perfect fusion of the old with the new.
The concept behind the watch was to create a true heritage timepiece that merged the very best elements of its modern incarnation in the Ref. 116400, as a highly wearable, robust and accurate watch, with the unique elegance of its grandafther, the legendary Rolex Ref. 6541 Milgauss. We have tried to be as faithful as possible with the features and details that have been modified or added, in the hope that we could honestly re-create a bit of horological magic of times past, for those discerning watch lovers of today.
Our gilt dials encapsulate a magic and beauty that is hard to describe, and unequalled elsewhere. Each dial is hand-crafted to create a mesmerzing three dimensional honeycomb texture, the text is then galvanically etched in 18K gold and the MILGAUSS nomenclature over-printed in vibrant red ink.
The galvanic process employed to create these gilt dials has long been a trade secret. The process is long and arduous and involves incredible expertise to achieve success. We have, over the years mastered these processes and are thus able to bring to you this incredible creation. Each dial offers its own slightly unique character details, just as the gilts dials of the 1950’s did. The white gold markers have been accurately fashioned to embelish the three, six and nine o’clock positions, while hand-applied, tinted Superluminova compound offers a further classic accent and pulls all elements of the dial face and its furniture together.
The fusion of these features speaks so much about the heritage of this exquisite watch.
Found only on the Milgauss and not on any other Rolex model watch, the signature ‘lightning bolt’ seconds hand is a feature that tickles the hearts of vintage and modern Rolex sport watch enthusiasts everywhere. Coupled with luminous-filled dagger style hour and minute hands, the original trio of hands visually sets a wonderful moment in time.
The design and intention of the ‘lightning bolt’seconds hand threw caution and convention to the wind and remained true to Rolex’s drive to create something really unique. The seconds hand on the CFG-01 and CFG-02 is the original Rolex factory hand, but detailed in red instead of orange to compliment the red MILGAUSS name on the dial and the red triangle on the bezel insert. The dagger hour and minute hands were crafted in Switzerland and hand filled with tinted Superlumiova to perfectly match the luminous plots on the dial.
The 6541 Milgauss was initially offered with a choice of either a seriously cool rotating bezel (designed for the European market), unique to the model reference as well as a smooth steel bezel (designed for the US market). We wanted to offer the same choice to our customers as well, purely because the finished look of each version is so different: one slick and simple (smooth steel bezel CFG-02) and the other sporty and rugged (rotating bezel CFG-01).
The smooth steel bezel is the unchanged factory Rolex one supplied with the new watch whereas the three-piece coin edged rotating bezel has been fastidiously designed and manufactured in Switzerland. It incorporates a unique crystal retaining ring with rubber seal matched perfectly to the outer coin-edged bezel ring, held in place by a wire spring, just like the original. The choice is yours; each has its own style and offsets the watch in rather different ways.
Modern watches have lost an element of the refined sleekness that vintage watches hold. We have reshaped the modern case to echo the shape of the original 6541: flatter, angled case flanks and a grained lug top side as opposed to polished with the addition of beautifully beveled ‘Bexley Edges’ to the outer lugs, so favored by vintage collectors
Modern sports Rolex cases have evolved over the years, with a trend towards a ‘bigger and bolder’ frame and while there is little practical reason for this we believe that delicately redefining the case gives a much more elegant and comfortable wearing timepiece. In addition each case is engraved on the caseback with its model number and a unique issue numbering out of 33, in this edition.
It may be worth noting that for an additional works fee, the spring bar holes in the lugs can be drilled through to add a further vintage accent to this heritage timepiece.
The Milguass 6541 was originally offered on a riveted-type, grained, steel Oyster bracelet. We have taken the modern Oyster bracelet and refinished the highly polished centre links to achieve the same uniform grained effect typical of the era that also matches the case grain perfectly: a harmonious blend of the old with the new.
Brought to the world in 1947, the Oyster bracelet is another iconic Rolex creation, instantly recognizable as an elegant yet hard wearing strap. Initially designed to compliment the arrival of the Oyster case, it needed to be tough and rust-proof yet comfortable to wear on land or in the depths of the sea. It was grained on its outer surfaces to match the grained finish of the steel cases. We also offer a selection of leather and NATO type bands as well. Please see the CFG GALLERY page for examples.
One of the most recognizable sport watches ever made is the ‘lightning bolt’ Rolex Milgauss Ref. 6541 of the 1950’s. Faithfully reincarnated here with period-style features such as the gilt 'waffle' textured dial, work to create a perfect fusion of the old with the new.
Our gilt dials encapsulate a magic and beauty that is hard to describe, and unequalled elsewhere. Each dial is hand-crafted to create a mesmerzing three dimensional 'waffle' texture, the text is then galvanically etched in 18K gold and the MILGAUSS nomenclature over-printed in vibrant red ink.
Found only on the Milgauss and not on any other Rolex model watch, the signature ‘lightning bolt’ seconds hand is a feature that tickles the hearts of vintage and modern Rolex sport watch enthusiasts everywhere. Coupled with luminous-filled dagger style hour and minute hands, the original trio of hands visually sets a wonderful moment in time.
The 6541 Milgauss was initially offered with a choice of either a seriously cool rotating bezel (designed for the European market), unique to the model reference as well as a smooth steel bezel (designed for the US market). We wanted to offer the same choice to our customers as well, purely because the finished look of each version is so different: one slick and simple (smooth steel bezel CFG-02) and the other sporty and rugged (rotating bezel CFG-01).
Modern watches have lost an element of the refined sleekness that vintage watches hold. We have reshaped the modern case to echo the shape of the original 6541: flatter, angled case flanks and a grained lug top side as opposed to polished with the addition of beautifully beveled ‘Bexley Edges’ to the outer lugs, so favored by vintage collectors
The Milguass 6541 was originally offered on a riveted-type, grained, steel Oyster bracelet. We have taken the modern Oyster bracelet and refinished the highly polished centre links to achieve the same uniform grained effect typical of the era that also matches the case grain perfectly: a harmonious blend of the old with the new.