Rolex has discontinued its Milgauss anti-magnetic timekeepers and Cellini dress watch.
Rolex introduced most of the modern Cellini collection in 2014 as a range of classical watches, more in the dressy category than the professional sports models that dominate the men’s market for the brand today.
A moonphase version was added in 2017.
The world was first introduced to the Rolex Milgauss in 1956.
It was designed to meet the demands of nuclear scientists and was able to withstand magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss.
That capability, rather like the ability of Submariners to survive to depths underwater that few humans will ever reach, became less of a practical necessity, and more a piece of horological history that collectors admire.
It has long been anticipated that Rolex would drop both collections so it could focus more of its production on the hottest watches with long waiting lists.
Watches suspected of being on the chopping block often rise in value on the secondary market.
The Cellini has not been a particularly good investment, but Milgauss owners did see the value of their asset rise to a peak of around £13,000 last year for a watch with a retail price of £7,850.
It has since fallen back to around £10,000 on the secondary market.
I first saw a Rolex Cellini at a hotel in Mexico City about 50 years ago. I was taken back by its beauty, elegance and of course its exceptional pedigree. A truly classic men’s dress watch… Fantastic! Sorry to see the line being discontinued, but undoubtedly prime examples will remain for collectors and connivers who will continue to appreciate them.