Rolex Milgauss GV Watch Review – For Sale at Raymond Lee Jewelers
Presenting the Rolex Milgauss 11640GV Green Glass Anniversary Edition. Here is everything you need to know about the highly sought after Rolex watch made for the professional scientist – The Milgauss GV.
As with all Rolex watches, they are developed as a tool with a specific audience in mind. The Milgauss was created with advanced anti-magnetic properties. It is a high-end watch for scientists.
Now, the majority of you reading this are probably not scientists, so it’s unlikely that you will ever need to protect your watch from intense magnetic fields.
Nevertheless, if you are reading this, you are likely a watch enthusiast, who like us, appreciates the special tolerances and properties that Rolex puts into the creation of their watches. This one being an anti-magnetic shield that can operate in highly magnetized surroundings.
In this article, we are featuring the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV model – “GV” standing for glass verte or green sapphire glass. The Milgauss GV model is part of Rolex’s professional series, dedicated to the professional scientists of the world.
We are going to discuss everything about the materials, dimensions, parts, movement, and special properties, along with Milgauss’ history and why Rolex decided to make a watch for scientists.
So, to all the Rolex nerds like us, we hope you enjoy.
A Dynamic Shielding Mechanism
Rolex carefully chose alloys with ferromagnetic properties to cover the movement (known as a Faraday cage), as to best defend it from magnetic charges.
Thus, if you were to open the Oyster case of the Milgauss, you’d find this ferromagnetic shield protecting the movement from magnetic interference.
On the surface of the magnetic shield, there is an engraved magnetic flux density “B”, something unique to Rolex. However, only Rolex-certified watchmakers and servicers should lay eyes on the engraving, as it is not smart to tinker with the movement unless you are a Rolex specialist.
Oystersteel
Ah, Oystersteel…Rolex’s glorious proprietary steel. In our opinion, the best steel for watches on the planet.
The Milgauss case comes from the illustrious Oyster Perpetual Case, which as you can see is clearly stated in white lettering on the dial below the crown at the 12 o’clock.
Oystersteel is part of the 904L steel family, a superalloy otherwise seen in high-technology applications and in the aerospace and chemical industry, where extreme resistance to corrosion is imperative.
Able to withstand the crudest environments, Oystersteel maintains it’s superior finish and beauty with ease. Thus, this steel watch surpasses its rivals by leaps and bounds. It’s not just a watch, it’s an advanced tool.
The case is 40mm, with a lug-to-lug width of 48mm. The case is on the heavier side due to the Faraday cage inside of it. It is around 157 grams.
The bezel is 904L steel and it has a smooth polish finish.
Black Dial
The Milguass 116400GV sports a black dial with luminous orange indices at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, combined with pearly white hour markers that make it pop.
Those aren’t the only orange accents that the Milguass GV features. On top of the board, there are orange numeral minute markers for every five-minute increment. The lettering of Milgauss below “Rolex Oyster Perpetual” is of the same eccentric orange. And, most notably, the seconds hand is a striking orange too, and it’s shape takes form in that of a lighting bolt (made from orange painted white gold)…such a fantastically playful touch that only Rolex could pull off.
Regarding the lume, it is quite special in the colors that they emit. The orange hour markers produce a blue light when dark and the white markers a green light. The lighting bolt seconds hand doesn’t contain any lume.
A green sapphire crystal covers the crisp dial, offering a splash of lime that generates light reflections and extracts maximum readability – a one of a kind, special edition appendage by Rolex in honor of the Milgauss 50th Anniversary. We all know Rolex historically loves the flavor of green.
Overall, the vibrant colors are the perfect contrast to the clean black dial. Another 10 out of 10 design from the Rolex squad.
The Oyster Bracelet
To maintain the highest level of quality in the industry, Rolex bracelets and clasps utilize state of the art technology during design, development, and production. They also undergo rigorous testing to assure the functionality is above par.
However, it isn’t all about advanced machinery, as fine aesthetics and the materials used are controlled by expert eyes to ensure immaculate beauty and style.
The end result of this scrupulous creation is Rolex’s legendary Oyster bracelet, pure in both form and function, timeless in a world that is ever changing.
Rolex’s Oyster bracelet has heft, it’s comfortable, and it’s flawlessly attractive, with its wide flat three-piece links polished to perfection and never daring to pinch skin or pull hair.
The first iteration of the Oyster bracelet and clasp was created in the 1930s. As is the Rolex brand, this style of bracelet and clasp isn’t going anywhere. Every element is made to withstand the test of time.
The uniqueness of the Milgauss Oyster Bracelet ref 72400
Now it should be noted that although the MIlgauss uses an Oyster Bracelet, it is a unique model of the Oyster Bracelet that no other Rolex has. The closing system on this Oyster Bracelet (ref 72400) contains an easy sprung tip with a prise action function to open the clasp. The clasp is rigged with two spring bars and the bracelet size is marginally adjustable without the need of a tool thanks to the Easy Link mechanism. So, this means that you can increase or decrease the bracelet length by 5mm rapidly with a simple pull on one end of the bracelet after opening the clasp to free the Easy Link.
3131 Movement
All Rolex Milgauss watches contain a calibre 3131 behind the caseback. The calibre 3131 is a self-winding mechanical movement that Rolex developed and produced in-house.
The cutting-edge movement with extraordinary anti-magnetic properties has a patent by the avant-garde brand.
Furthermore, the 3131 received a Swiss chronometer certificate (as have all Rolex Perpetual movements), which only the highest precision watches that have triumphantly passed tests given by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute can achieve.
It’s an extremely reliable movement that has commonalities with all Oyster watch movements. So, put simply, you can’t go wrong with a calibre 3131, and if there was ever an apocalypse, you can be sure your Rolex Milgauss will keep on ticking.
The Milgauss GV On the Wrist
We believe the 40mm size is the perfect size for most wrists. It’s a two-way player, so you can sport it in a science laboratory or a formal function, fitting in perfectly to either setting. Furthermore, the thickness of the watch allows it to slip under dress cuffs with ease.
In regards to its appearance, the splash of colors is the perfect touch to combat the eccentric nature of most scientists. It is unique and lively with the green sapphire crystal and orange accents like the Lighting Bold seconds hand. However, it’s not overwhelming due to the professional look of the crispiness of the Oyster Perpetual and uncluttered matte finish black dial.
All in all, it is a very pleasurable watch to wear. Its weight makes it feel solid and substantial, and the youthful look is something we can all appreciate, no matter what age we are. It’s the ideal “amalgamation”.
History of the Milgauss
Rolex introduced the first Milgauss in 1954. As with all Rolex watches, it had a specific purpose to fulfill. The Milgauss was created to help scientists who work in highly magnetically charged research surroundings. More specifically, it was developed with CERN in mind. CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which is a massive and highly respected center for scientific research.
Initially, Rolex put on two references of the Milgauss, the 6541 and the extremely rate 6543 (only 88 ever produced).
Ref 6543 is entirely anti-magnetic as the escapement is entirely anti-magnetic alloy; thus the Faraday cage was unnecessary.
Ref 6541, saw the movement that was enclosed by the Faraday cage made of soft iron to re-direct magnetic interference.
Both references’ movement used a Calibre 1080 and were equipped with a rotatable bezel like the Submariner. They also had the lighting bolt seconds hand design, but it was steel and uncolored, unlike the newer Milgauss GV’s orange painted white gold bolt.
The lightning bolt is the perfect feature to tell the story of the anti-magnetic properties the watch contains. So it stuck.
How does magnetic interfere with the watch’s functionality?
If you expose a watch without anti-magnetic properties to a strong magnetic field, the hairspring and balance wheel within your watch will be magnetized, which will affect the watch negatively, making it run too fast or too slow.
For a scientist, failure to calculate time with perfect precision is preposterous and extremely detrimental to the research process.
So, Gauss, which is a unit of magnetic induction, inspired the Milgauss name. The magnetic shield in the Milgauss is resistant to magnetism up to 1000 Gauss, hence the “Mil” (mille) prefix before “Gauss”. Nearly everything is done for a reason when it comes to Rolex.
Note: In the situation where your watch is exposed to high strengths of magnetism than 1000 Guass, a de-magnetizer can be used to set it straight. However, best bet is to take it off if you have any concerns about extremely high magnetic fields.
With that being said, a watch is considered antimagnetic if it can manage 60 gauss. That’s 6% of what the Milgauss can handle. Therefore, the tolerance should be plenty for any scientist who works in magnetic research environments on a daily basis. Let’s be serious, it’s Rolex, they know what they are doing.
Milgauss GV – The Anniversary Edition
People consider the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV as a modern-day collectible watch. The Milgauss GV is an anniversary watch. Its release was in 2008. This Green Glass Anniversary watch was so popular that there was a huge waiting list. Luckily, we were able to get our hands on one and we are now selling it at our retail jewelry store in Boca Raton – Raymond Lee Jewelers.
Quick Specifications:
Company – Rolex
Model – Milgauss
Reference Number – 116400GV
Case Material – Stainless Steel
Bezel – Smooth Stainless Steel Fixed Bezel
Case Diameter – 40 mm
Bracelet – Stainless Steel
Dial – Black Dial with Orange Lightning Bolt Second Hand and Orange Markers at 3,6, and 9.
Crystal – Green Tinted Sapphire Crystal
Movement – Automatic Calibre 3131
About Raymond Lee Jewelers in Boca Raton
Raymond Lee Jewelers is one of South Florida’s best sales and service centers for luxury watches, diamonds, and high-end jewelry. We are proud to say that we have one of the largest collections of Rolex watches in all of South Florida.
Raymond Lee Jewelers is a family run business in Boca Raton. We have spent the last three decades building a solid reputation, earning us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Our goal is to meet the needs and exceed expectations for all of our customers. We aim to provide the best possible experience when it comes to any luxury watch dealing or servicing. Furthermore, we combine value, quality and the ability to meet and understand the needs of people of all ages.
Our services include: buying, selling, repairing, and restoring watches, including but not limited to, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Van Cleef & Arpelsbr, Hublot, Harry Winston, Bvlgari, Cartier, Breitling, Tudor.
Milgauss GV for Sale at Raymond Lee Jewelers of Boca Raton
We are currently listing the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV for sale on our website. The watch is completely original and is in excellent condition. It comes with the original box and booklets. So, if you this timepiece interest you, please inquire via the link above. You can also stop by or make an appointment with one of our Rolex specialists anytime. We look forward to hearing from you.
Here is our Address and Phone Number:
22191 Powerline Road #12b – Boca Raton, FL 33433
561-750-7808
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Lastly, if you have any comments about the Milgauss GV featured here, please leave them in the comment section below. We’d love to spark a conversation on this fantastic timepiece.