Rolex Milgauss Guide: Discontinued and Rising

The Rolex Milgauss is the antimagnetic tool watch Rolex built for engineers and technicians working near strong electromagnetic fields, identifiable by its orange lightning-bolt seconds hand and, on later dials, a green-tinted sapphire crystal. Rolex has not listed it in its current catalogue since about 2023, which has made the last generation, reference 116400, a discontinued-and-rising reference rather than a current model. This guide covers what the Milgauss is for, the 116400 specifications and dial variants, how it compares with the Explorer and Explorer II as everyday steel tool watches, dated 2026 prices and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the Milgauss to order; the Milgauss collection lists the configurations we can seek.

Last reviewed on September 26, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.

What is the Rolex Milgauss for?

Rolex introduced the Milgauss in 1956, naming it for its resistance to 1,000 gauss of magnetic exposure, a level electrical engineers, MRI technicians and laboratory staff could encounter routinely. The protection comes mainly from a soft-iron inner case that acts as a Faraday cage around the movement, supplemented by an antimagnetic hairspring, so the watch keeps time near equipment that would throw off an ordinary mechanical movement. Rolex discontinued the original run in 1988 as demand for a dedicated antimagnetic tool watch faded with the rise of quartz instruments in laboratories, then revived the model in 2007 with reference 116400, which stayed in the catalogue until it was quietly dropped around 2023.

Rolex Milgauss 116400 specifications

Source: the Rolex watch care and service page for the parts and service policy that applies to discontinued references, and the Rolex watch collection page, which no longer lists the Milgauss among current models.

Black dial or green-crystal blue dial?

The green crystal is a tint in the sapphire itself rather than a coating, so it does not scratch off, but it does mean the two versions look different in different light. The blue "Z-Blue" dial is the one most associated with the Milgauss revival and tends to be the most requested.

Milgauss vs Explorer vs Explorer II: which steel tool watch?

All three sit at a similar price point as Rolex's less hyped steel sports references, but they solve different problems. The Explorer is the plainest: three simple hands, a date-free dial and the smallest case in the group. The Explorer II adds a fixed 24-hour bezel and an orange hand for a second time reference, aimed at buyers underground or in constant light. The Milgauss adds magnetic shielding and keeps a smooth, unmarked bezel, which is why it reads as more of a dress-adjacent tool watch than the other two. If a second time zone matters, the Explorer II is the better fit; if the antimagnetic case and the lightning-bolt hand are the draw, only the Milgauss offers them. Our Explorer 224270 guide covers the current three-hand Explorer.

How does the Milgauss wear?

At 40 mm with a smooth domed bezel and no crown guards as prominent as the Explorer II's, the Milgauss wears close to the classic Explorer, slightly dressier because the bezel has no graduations to catch the eye. The orange lightning-bolt seconds hand and, on GV dials, the green-tinted crystal are the two details that set it apart at a glance; everything else about the case and bracelet is standard Rolex sports-watch proportions. It suits daily wear as comfortably as an Explorer, with the added, largely theoretical benefit of magnetic shielding for anyone who actually works near strong fields.

Why has the Milgauss risen since being discontinued?

Rolex discontinuing a steel sports reference without a direct replacement tends to tighten supply while demand keeps flowing to the models that remain in production, and secondary-market attention has followed a similar pattern with the Milgauss since it left the catalogue. It remains a smaller niche than the Submariner or GMT-Master II, so price movement has been more gradual, but full-set 116400GV examples, especially the blue dial, have generally commanded a premium to pre-owned examples missing box and papers. Whether that premium continues to grow is not something to predict; treat any given ask on its own facts rather than a trend line.

How much is a Rolex Milgauss? Prices in 2026

• Retail. The Milgauss is no longer sold new through Rolex, so there is no current list price; the last retail figures before discontinuation are a starting reference only and will not reflect today's secondary market.
• Secondary market. Full-set, low-mileage 116400GV examples with the blue dial have generally traded at a premium to black-dial and clear-crystal examples in 2025 and 2026, with condition and box and papers driving most of the spread.
• Bizak catalogue asks. On 26 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed pre-owned black-dial examples from US$9,552, a black GV-crystal example at US$9,764, and a blue Z-Blue GVB example new-old-stock at US$13,055, all sourced to order.

Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact dial and set; our Rolex price guide explains how to compare quotes.

Buying a Milgauss: what to check

• Warranty card and box. A full set matters more on a discontinued reference than on a current one; ask for the original card and confirm the serial matches the case.
• Crystal tint. On GV models, hold the watch at an angle to confirm the faint green cast at the crystal edge; a replaced crystal without the tint changes the watch from the description.
• Dial text and lume. Confirm the "Milgauss" script, the lightning-bolt seconds hand and the lume type match the production year; mismatched hands are a common service-parts issue on older examples.
• Bezel and case. The smooth bezel shows scratches more visibly than a graduated one; look for consistent brushing on the case sides and sharp lug chamfers.
• Service history. Since Rolex no longer lists the Milgauss, ask when it was last serviced and by whom, since parts availability will only tighten over time.
• Price against the band. A full-set blue-dial 116400GV offered well under the market is the single most reliable warning sign.

Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.

Quick answers

Is the Rolex Milgauss discontinued?

Yes. Rolex has not listed the Milgauss in its current catalogue since about 2023, making reference 116400 a discontinued reference rather than a current model.

What does the green Milgauss crystal do?

Nothing functional. On the GV dial variants the sapphire crystal is tinted green, giving a faint yellow-green cast at the edge; it is a cosmetic detail rather than added protection.

How much magnetic resistance does the Milgauss have?

Up to 1,000 gauss, achieved mainly through a soft-iron inner case that shields the movement, supplemented by an antimagnetic hairspring.

How much is a Rolex Milgauss?

Bizak's sourced catalogue listed pre-owned black-dial examples from US$9,552 and a new-old-stock blue Z-Blue example at US$13,055 on 26 September 2026, sourced to order.

What is the difference between the Milgauss and the Explorer?

The Milgauss adds magnetic shielding, an orange lightning-bolt seconds hand and, on some dials, a green-tinted crystal; the Explorer is a plainer three-hand watch with no magnetic-resistance claim and a smaller case.

Request a Milgauss sourcing quote

Tell us the dial colour, crystal type, condition and whether the warranty card is required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: Milgauss 116400GVB blue, Milgauss 116400WHT1 pre-owned, Milgauss 116400GV1 pre-owned; browse the Milgauss collection, the Explorer collection, or sell or trade your Milgauss.

Related reading: Explorer 224270 guide · Explorer II 226570 guide · Watch nicknames explained · Rolex price guide.