Rolex Milgauss
+79 % above RRP
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ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Rolex Milgauss (Ref. 116400) is $10,846. Last sold at auction: $19,436 (Sotheby's, 06/2026).
What if you had bought back then …
What would a purchase at the median market price back then have become — at today's level of $10,846. A pure return calculation, excluding insurance, servicing and transaction costs.
Data from an aggregated median time series (watch_market_daily). CAGR = Compound Annual Growth Rate, normalized to 365 days. Not an investment recommendation.
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Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Rolex Ref. 116400 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Milgauss, Scientist's Watch, Green Glass, GV, Z-Blue, Lightning Bolt, CERN Watch, Glace Verte
Production phases and changes
- 2007: Reintroduction of the Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400 after a 19-year hiatus
- 2014: Introduction of Z-Blue dial (116400GV) + discontinuation of black dial / clear crystal
- 2016: Discontinuation of white dial / clear crystal (116400-WSO)
- 2023: Final discontinuation of the Milgauss
Movement variants
- 3131 (?–today) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- 116400 Smooth Fixed Steel Bezel "Smooth Bezel"
Dial variants
- Black Dial / Clear Crystal — White baton indices with orange squares on the minute track at the indices; white minute track; MILGAUSS in orange; orange lightning seconds hand; no Arabic numerals on the outer ring
- White Dial / Clear Crystal — Orange baton indices (hours); orange minute track with Arabic numerals at 5-minute intervals; MILGAUSS in orange; orange lightning seconds hand
- Black GV / Anniversary — Orange applied baton indices at 3/6/9 o'clock; orange Arabic numerals on the outer ring at 5-minute intervals; white baton indices at remaining hours; MILGAUSS in orange; orange lightning seconds hand
- Z-Blue / Zirkonium Blue — Orange Arabic numerals on the outer ring; MILGAUSS in orange; orange lightning seconds hand; sunray finish
Crystal variants
- Saphirglas mit Cyclops
- 116400GV Glace Verte Saphirglas
Bracelet variants
- President Ref. 78200
Serial numbers
- M000001 – Z999999 (2007–2007) — Letter prefix system through approx. 2009. M and Z serial numbers for 2007.
- M000001 – V999999 (2008–2008) — M and V serial numbers for 2008.
- V000001 – V999999 (2009–2009) — V serial numbers for 2009.
- G000001 – G999999 (2010–2010) — G serial numbers for 2010. Last letter prefix before the switch to random serials.
- Random – Random (2011–2023) — From 2010/2011 onward, fully randomized serial numbers were introduced. Dating a watch by serial number alone is no longer possible. From 2007, the serial number is laser-engraved on the rehaut (inner bezel ring) at 6 o'clock — no longer between the lugs.
The Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400 makes its comeback in 2007, ending a 19-year gap left by the old 1019. At Baselworld, Rolex unveils three dial variants: black with a clear sapphire crystal, white with a clear sapphire crystal, and black paired with the green-tinted Glace Verte crystal, tracked internally as the 116400GV. The case measures 40mm in Oystersteel, powered by the Caliber 3131 with the orange lightning-bolt seconds hand that gave the watch its nickname. Starting with this model year, the serial number moves for the first time from between the lugs to the rehaut.
## The Crystal That Outlasted Two Dials
In 2014, Rolex introduces the electric-blue Z-Blue dial in zirconium, paired exclusively with the green Glace Verte crystal — known among collectors as the Green Glass. At the same time, the black dial with clear crystal disappears from the active lineup. Two years later, in 2016, the white clear-sapphire variant follows suit — from that point on, only the 116400GV remains in production, available with either a black or Z-Blue dial, always on the smooth, fixed steel bezel with no rehaut engraving.
## The End of a Watch Built for CERN Physicists
In 2023, at Watches & Wonders, Rolex pulls the Milgauss from the lineup entirely — the second time it's happened, after 1988. No successor has been announced as of 2026. What remains is a reference wearing a whole crown of nicknames, from Scientist's Watch to CERN Watch, pointing back to its original audience: technicians and physicists who needed 1,000 Gauss of magnetic protection in the lab, not on the wrist of the mass market.
Brand profile: Rolex
Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world. Super-clones (VSF, ARF, Clean — the latter inactive since the 07/2025 raid, with only old stock still circulating) reach 95%+ similarity. Authenticity can almost always only be identified through micro-details and caliber behavior.
- Case back: ALWAYS solid and closed — any display window means it's definitely fake (exception: vintage Ref. 6085 only)
- Minute hand length: genuine Rolex minute hands end EXACTLY at the minute chapter ring. 1 mm too long = fake. The strongest VSF tell.
- Seconds hand: smooth sweep without any hesitation — the slightest tick-tock motion means it's fake
- Cyclops lens (on Date models): must magnify exactly 2.5×, with the date filling almost the entire window
Serial number format: Since 2010, a random alphanumeric combination (e.g. 'G3M9K721'). 2000-2010: a letter plus 6-7 digits. Serial number engraved on the rehaut at 6 o'clock (from ~2005). Older models: between the lug shoulders at 6 o'clock on the case.
Further sources
Buying guide: Rolex Milgauss
Entry into Rolex
At $10,846 this reference is one of the more affordable ways to wear a Rolex on your wrist. That is precisely why many pieces have already passed through several hands — condition varies accordingly. Buyers here should pay particular attention to service history and honest photos from the seller.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 52.0 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Rolex Milgauss reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Milgauss.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
Check the market value live now
Interactive price analysis with momentum indicator and buy/sell signal.
Go to the market value tool →Auction results Rolex Milgauss 116400
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $19,436 | Sotheby's | 06/2026 |
| $8,586 | Loupe This | 06/2026 |
| $11,707 | Sotheby's | 12/2025 |
| $13,085 | Sotheby's | 12/2025 |
| $11,849 | Sotheby's | 10/2025 |