Rolex Milgauss Z-Blue

The Rolex Milgauss 116400GV-0002 "Z-Blue" is one of the most distinctive and unique watches in the Rolex lineup.

The dial is unique, but it isn't where this watch sets itself apart, all the magic happens inside. Two things make the 1,000 gauss resistance possible. First, a Faraday cage built from ferromagnetic shields around the movement, steering magnetic fields away before they reach the mechanism, and skipping a date function altogether, since a date window would have meant a hole in that shield. Second, the movement's own components are built to shrug off magnetism regardless, the hairspring is made of Parachrom, a niobium and zirconium alloy unaffected by magnetic fields, and the pallet fork uses an amorphous nickel phosphorus alloy for the same reason. Together, it all adds up to a watch that holds steady up to 1,000 gauss.

The rest of the design follows the same bold character, an electric blue dial, the Z-Blue that gives this reference its name, paired with the model's signature orange lightning bolt seconds hand, viewed through a green tinted sapphire crystal that adds a subtle wash of colour shifting with the light. Underneath, the caliber 3131 runs self-winding and COSC certified, with a 48 hour power reserve, built for the daily wear of a watch originally designed for scientists and engineers.

Rolex pulled the Milgauss from its lineup in 2023, and no replacement has surfaced since. For now, this is the last word on the model.

This 2022 example is in really good condition and comes as a full set, including its original box, outer packaging, warranty card and booklets.