Milgauss
The anti-magnetic Rolex: 1,000 gauss resistance through a soft-iron Faraday cage, originally built in 1956 for CERN physicists and laboratory technicians. The 2007-onwards 116400 generation introduced the lightning-bolt seconds hand and the green sapphire crystal of the 116400GV variant. Discontinued in 2023.
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Milgauss (116400GV) was discontinued in 2023. It was Rolex's anti-magnetic watch -- developed for physicists at CERN in the 1950s -- with a soft iron inner cage providing 1,000 gauss resistance. The 116400GV variant has a green-tinted sapphire crystal, the most distinctive crystal in the Rolex catalog. The orange lightning bolt seconds hand is the original design element. Now that it is discontinued, collector interest is increasing.
- 1Open
Rolex Milgauss 116400GV -- discontinued, green crystal, anti-magnetic, the Rolex that finally got interesting after it was gone.
- The case for it:
- The green sapphire crystal is unique in the Rolex catalog -- no other reference has it. The orange lightning bolt seconds hand against the black or white dial is the most visually distinctive Rolex outside the Rainbow Daytona. Cal. 3131 with the Parachrom hairspring. The 1,000 gauss anti-magnetic spec is genuine, from a time when Rolex built watches for actual physicists. Now discontinued, it is the most interesting Rolex to buy on the secondary market right now.
- Consider instead if:
- Discontinued Rolex secondary market premiums are driven by speculation as much as genuine demand. The Milgauss was not a sought-after reference during production; it may not sustain post-discontinuation premiums the way the Submariner or GMT have. Buy it because you want to wear it, not because you think it will appreciate.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.