Rolex Milgauss 116400GV specifications
Two rows set this watch apart: the green-tinted crystal and the ferromagnetic shield rated to 1,000 gauss. Everything else will look familiar to anyone who knows a 40 mm Oyster case.
| Reference | 116400GV |
|---|---|
| Collection | Milgauss |
| Status | Discontinued (2023) |
| Introduced | 2007 |
| Predecessor | 1019 |
| Case diameter | 40 mm |
| Case material | Oystersteel |
| Bezel | Smooth, polished |
| Dial options | Black, Z-Blue (from 2014) |
| Crystal | Green-tinted sapphire ('Glace Verte'), no Cyclops |
| Calibre | 3131 |
| Movement | Automatic, no date, Superlative Chronometer, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex; ferromagnetic shield resists 1,000 gauss |
| Power reserve | 48 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Bracelet / strap | Oyster, three-piece links; Oysterlock safety clasp |
| Retail price (US) | US$9,300 (last list price) |
| US retail in MYR (converted) | ≈ RM37,900 at 4.08; Malaysian list price not published |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
The retail price shown is the last US list on record, from February 2023. Rolex never published a case thickness for this reference.
History and reference evolution
The name comes from "mille gauss", the French for 1,000 gauss. Rolex built the first Milgauss in the 1950s for people working near strong magnetic fields, such as scientists and engineers. The 1956 ref. 6541 introduced the lightning-bolt seconds hand. Its successor, ref. 1019, ran until the late 1980s, and then the name went quiet.
The 2007 revival
In 2007 Rolex brought the name back as the 116400. The Rolex Milgauss 116400GV was the headline version: a 40 mm Oystersteel case, a smooth bezel, an orange lightning-bolt seconds hand and the green crystal. Inside, calibre 3131 sat within a soft-iron shield. Clear-crystal 116400s were sold alongside it for a time, but the GV became the version most buyers wanted.
Z-Blue arrives in 2014
In 2014 Rolex added the electric Z-Blue dial, offered only with the green crystal. The pairing of blue dial, green glass and orange hand divided opinion at first. Over time, though, it became the most recognisable Milgauss, and it now asks the most on the used market.
Discontinued in 2023, with no successor
Rolex discontinued the entire Milgauss line in 2023. Unlike most retirements, nothing replaced it. That matters for value, because supply is now fixed. Also, the Air-King lost its own Milgauss-derived case when the 126900 arrived in 2022, so the 116400GV is the last Rolex in that particular case shape with this level of shielding.
116400GV pre-owned prices compared
Prices have been stable since discontinuation. The table covers both dials, so read the commentary below before judging a single listing.
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$12,500 – US$15,000 | RM51,000 – RM61,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$10,000 – US$12,500 | RM41,000 – RM51,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$8,500 – US$11,500 | RM35,000 – RM47,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$7,200 – US$10,600 | RM29,000 – RM43,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 3 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$9,300. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
What moves the price of this reference
Dial first: a Z-Blue Milgauss 116400GV asks more than a black one in equal condition. Then comes the set. A dated warranty card matters a lot on a discontinued watch, because it confirms both origin and production period. Serial era plays a smaller role. Some buyers prefer late "random serial" examples for their newer production date, while others value an early serial for its 2007-era story.
The crystal is the unusual factor. If the green sapphire has been replaced, only a genuine Rolex part with service papers keeps full value. Finally, an unpolished case with sharp lug edges adds a clear premium, since many 116400GVs have been polished during routine service.
Where to check prices
Start with the US$9,300 last list as a floor reference. Then look at dealer asks, which for Z-Blue full sets can reach about US$17,000. Next, compare marketplace listings by dial and by set. Auction results are more useful here than for a current model, because discontinued pieces appear at sales with documented hammer prices.
In Malaysia, a Milgauss occasionally appears on Mudah or through Lowyat forum sellers. Because supply is thin, local asking prices often track international dealers. So compare against the bands above before negotiating, and read our box and papers guide to check the card.
When a price is too good to be true
Polished or part-replaced Milgauss 116400GV examples begin around US$7,200. So a full-set 116400GV below roughly US$8,500, or about RM34,700, is under the market. A Z-Blue at that level is a stronger warning, since genuine ones rarely trade near it.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 116400GV
The green crystal is the headline tell, and it is also where many fakes fall down. Still, check every point, because better replicas now tint their crystals too.
Crystal and dial
Tilt the Milgauss 116400GV under daylight. A genuine Glace Verte crystal shows a subtle green tint at an angle, not a heavy green cast when viewed straight on. Next, check the orange lightning-bolt seconds hand: its zigzag should be crisp and evenly proportioned. If the dial is Z-Blue, the crystal must be green, because Rolex never made a clear-crystal Z-Blue.
Genuine: laser-etched crown at 6 o'clock
- Made of tiny dots, hard to find without a loupe
- Sits in the crystal just above the 6 o'clock marker
- Present on most Rolex crystals from the early 2000s onward
Warning signs
- Bold and frosted, easy to spot head-on
- Solid lines instead of a dot matrix
- Off-centre, or placed on a reference/era that would not have it
Case, rehaut and case back
The case has no crown guards and uses a Twinlock crown. Later examples carry the ROLEX ROLEX rehaut engraving with the serial at 6 o'clock. A very early 2007-2008 piece may differ, so judge it against period photos. The case back is plain and screw-down.
Genuine: rehaut engraving alignment
- Each engraved crown and letter lines up with its minute marker
- Engraving is crisp, even in depth, and readable at 12 o'clock
- Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 on modern pieces
Warning signs
- Letters drift between markers as they go around the ring
- Shallow, sandy-looking or uneven engraving
- Serial at 6 printed rather than engraved, or wrong format
Genuine: caseback
- Solid Oystersteel or gold, fluted edge for the case wrench
- No engraving on most models (some are factory-engraved, e.g. Sea-Dweller and Deepsea)
- Display backs are factory-fitted only on certain models (e.g. some Daytona, 1908, Land-Dweller)
Warning signs
- Exhibition window on a model Rolex makes with a solid back
- Stickers or decorative engravings sold as 'factory'
- Back that turns too easily or sits proud of the case
What only a watchmaker can confirm
The decisive check happens with the case back off. A genuine Milgauss shows the ferromagnetic shield enclosing calibre 3131 and its blue Parachrom hairspring. A replica movement without the shield is an instant fail. A watchmaker can also confirm whether the crystal and dial are original. For a fuller checklist, use our real vs fake Rolex guide, and for background on the model see the Milgauss history on Wikipedia.
Who the 116400GV suits, and the alternatives
The Milgauss 116400GV suits wrists of roughly 16.5 to 19 cm. It suits a collector who wants something unusual from the modern catalogue, with a clear story and a finished production run. It also suits engineers and scientists for the obvious reason, although few owners need the full shielding.
The closest alternative today is the Air-King 126900, which still offers magnetic protection at retail. We compare them in Milgauss vs Air-King. If you want the same case for less, the Air-King 116900 is its sibling. For a plainer tool watch, consider the Explorer 40 224270, and see the Milgauss collection page for the line's history.
Air-King 126900
40 mm, calibre 3230, crown guards and lumed 3-6-9 numerals. Trades close to its US$8,150 list.
Air-King 116900
Discontinued 2022. Milgauss-derived 40 mm case, calibre 3131, unlumed numerals. Used prices below current list. Discontinued
116400GV FAQ
Is the Milgauss a good investment after discontinuation?
It has held up, but it has not soared. Market data has been stable since 2023, with box-and-papers examples around US$10,000 to US$12,500 against a last list of US$9,300. Z-Blue full sets ask more. Discontinuation supports prices, yet the Milgauss never had Submariner-level demand. Buy it to wear, and see our retail vs market guide for the wider picture.
What does GV mean on the Milgauss?
GV stands for Glace Verte, French for green glass. It refers to the green-tinted sapphire crystal, which shows its colour most clearly when you tilt the watch. Rolex is generally credited as the only maker to produce a green sapphire crystal of this kind, which is one reason replicas struggle with it.
Is the Z-Blue Milgauss worth more than the black dial?
Yes, as a rule. The Z-Blue dial, added in 2014, was only ever offered with the green crystal and tends to ask more than the black version in the same condition. Some dealers ask up to about US$17,000 for Z-Blue full sets, although achieved prices are usually lower.
How anti-magnetic is the Milgauss?
Rolex rated it to resist 1,000 gauss. Calibre 3131 sits inside a ferromagnetic shield, and its blue Parachrom hairspring is itself resistant to magnetism. That is far beyond what daily life demands. In practice, the shield matters mainly for its history: the original was designed for scientists working near strong fields.
Can a damaged green crystal be replaced?
Yes, but only a genuine Rolex green crystal keeps the watch correct, and you should get service papers to prove it. A clear or aftermarket green crystal lowers value noticeably. Ask any seller whether the crystal has been replaced and by whom.
Does the serial era change the value of a 116400GV?
Slightly. Late examples with random serials, used by Rolex from around 2010, appeal to buyers who want the newest possible production. Early serials from the 2007 launch years appeal to others for their story. Neither commands a large, consistent premium. The dial, the set and an original crystal matter far more. Our serial number guide explains how to read the serial.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.