Original Milgauss - current values?

[clonmult]

My first post, please be gentle!

I'm the incredibly lucky owner of an Milgauss, I believe its a 6541 - similar model to that shown by elmoco at :

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....7&postcount=26

But the hands are more like those on this model shown by rarebear :

http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....78&postcount=2

Its still got the original bezel, although slightly warn. It was originally my grandfathers, he saved and bought it as an investment sometime in the late 50s, and then passed it onto my father. And upon my fathers death, it was passed to me.

Have been reading various forums, and the value of these seems to vary wildly. I was told by a watchmaker in London 18 months back that it was probably worth around £20k. Which was a huge surprise, as a valuation I had when I first received it pegged it at around £2k. That was the point at which I decided to stop wearing it whilst cycling to work, whilst out running, down the gym, swimming, in the sauna ....

Are they really as rare as people have said - only a few hundred of them made? If so, that would help explain the potential valuations.

[padi56]

Please post a picture of your watch and yes at the time all Milgauss watches were very very poor sellers.Thats why not so many around, the lightening bolt hands tend to be the most valuable in todays market.And indeed today a very valuable watch, if sold in the right sale market and to the right buyer.

[penangite]

Interesting. Some pictures will help a lot.

[clonmult]

Here goes with a pic :

[penangite]

Wow ... needs plastic surgery. Try ask RSC how much is needed to restore it. It's a very rare Rolex watch indeed.

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by penangite

Wow ... needs plastic surgery. Try ask RSC how much is needed to restore it. It's a very rare Rolex watch indeed.

I did ponder going this route, but ultimately got advised (by several watchmakers) against it. Problem is that they'll replace parts as required, which will ultimately devalue it. Should try to keep it as original as possible.

Sure, if a component is broken, then it would be replaced. But its only "problem" in functionality is that the bezel has been stuck for more years than I can remember. Other than that it works absolutely perfectly.

[clonmult]

Slightly better closeup :



It definitely needs a bit of a clean, but the picture doesn't do it justice.

[penangite]

I read somewhere there are people who can do a good restoration job in EU. I seen the 'before and after' dial restoration result posted on trf. It was great.

Your bezel is really beat-up huh! Hope some experts in here will give you some good advice.

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by penangite

Your bezel is really beat-up huh! Hope some experts in here will give you some good advice.

Its not beat up, its showing honest signs of its age

Guess that after being worn for so many years, first off by an active policeman in Manchester back in the 50s/60s, then my dad for many years (in a design office), and then by me cycling to work in all weathers and in all sorts of environments, its not likely to be in 100% original condition.