Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6543

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6543 is an extremely rare and historically significant reference, widely regarded as a transitional or prototype model leading directly to the birth of the Milgauss line. Produced in the early-to-mid 1950s in very limited quantities, the 6543 featured a large 38mm stainless steel case equipped with a soft iron Faraday cage to protect the movement from magnetic interference—an innovation Rolex was testing for scientific applications. Its design included a rotating black bezel with a red triangle at 12 o’clock, along with a honeycomb dial, luminous hour markers, and distinctive lightning bolt seconds hand, although exact configurations varied due to the model’s experimental nature. It was powered by the Rolex Caliber 1080, a self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve, adapted for the anti-magnetic casing. The lug-to-lug length is approximately 48mm, and the lug width is 20mm, emphasizing its oversized dimensions relative to other Oyster Perpetuals of the era. While it carries the Oyster Perpetual name, the 6543 is more accurately considered a prototype Milgauss, predating the official ref. 6541 Milgauss. Because of its extremely low production numbers and historical relevance as a pioneering anti-magnetic watch, the 6543 is one of the most coveted and elusive Rolex references among serious collectors.