2014 Milgauss GV (Blue)

[Tools]

Milgauss
Unique and symbolic aesthetics
Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Milgauss with unique and symbolic aesthetics. Its green sapphire crystal marked a first in watchmaking when it was introduced on the Milgauss in 2007. Now this crystal is combined with an electric blue dial, an allusion to the emblematic lightning-bolt-shaped seconds hand and the watch’s technical purpose as a paramagnetic timepiece designed for engineers and scientists in the 1950s. Seen through the green sapphire crystal, the Z blue dial takes on a powerfully attractive magnetic hue.

For engineers and technicians
Ever since its launch, the Milgauss has remained an avant-garde watch. It was created in 1956 for engineers and technicians who are exposed in their work to magnetic fields which disrupt the performance of mechanical watches. It was designed to resist strong interference of up to 1,000 gauss, hence its name - mille being French for thousand – while maintaining its performance and precision as an officially certified chronometer. A pioneer in magnetic resistance, it became known as the watch worn by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva and gained a reputation as the ultimate watch of science and technological progress. Several innovations contribute to its resistance to magnetism. The first line of defence is a shield made of ferromagnetic alloys which surrounds the movement within the Oyster case, an invention patented by Rolex in 1954. The second line of defence involves two of the movement’s key components, the oscillator and the escapement, which are made of innovative paramagnetic materials developed by Rolex since the 2000s.





Caliber 3131
Superlative Paramagnetic Chronometer
The Milgauss is equipped with calibre 3131, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3131 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. It includes Rolex-patented components to guarantee the level of resistance to magnetic interference for which it is named. The escapement of the Milgauss features a paramagnetic escape wheel made of a nickel-phosphorus alloy. This component is produced using a micromanufacturing technology (UV-LiGA) that is entirely mastered in‑house. The oscillator, the true heart of the watch, has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive alloy of niobium and zirconium. Insensitive to magnetic fields, the Parachrom hairspring offers great stability when exposed to temperature variations and remains up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.



Reference 116400GV
MODEL CASE
Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Internal magnetic shield to protect the movement, 40 mm
DIAMETER
40 mm
MATERIAL
904L stainless steel superalloy, polished finish
CASE BACK
Screw-down with Rolex fluting
BEZEL
Smooth
WINDING CROWN
Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant green sapphire
WATERPROOFNESS
100 metres (330 feet)


MOVEMENT
3131, Manufacture Rolex
Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
CALIBRE
3131, Manufacture Rolex
Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
PRECISION
Officially certified Swiss chronometer (COSC)
FUNCTIONS
Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
Stop-seconds for precise time setting
OSCILLATOR
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4Hz)
Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring
Breguet overcoil
Large balance wheel with variable inertia
Paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus escape wheel
High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts
Traversing balance bridge
JEWELLING
31 rubies
POWER RESERVE
Approximately 48 hours

DIAL
COLOUR
Z blue
HOUR MARKERS
Highly legible Chromalight appliques (long-lasting luminescence) in 18 ct white gold
HANDS
Chromalight hands in 18 ct white gold, orange lightning- bolt-shaped seconds hand

BRACELET
Oyster, three-piece solid links
MATERIAL
904L stainless steel superalloy, polished centre links, satin-finished outer links with polished edges
CLASP
Folding Oysterclasp
Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

[Gaijin]

Outstanding write-up Larry.

[Polemic]

Great write up!

Is the black dial GV discontinued?

[sleddog]

Really liking this one....

Thanks for the specs Larry!

[mps354]

I just put myself on the list at my AD

[DCgator]

I likey!!

[sea-dweller]

Great review!

[Frosty]

This is pushing me over the edge. I like the blue! I will have to go down and compare it to the black GV.

[robisan]

Nice review!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Polemic

Great write up!

Is the black dial GV discontinued?

No. But the black dial (non GV) is...

[onkyo]

Thanks for the write up Tools. Great info.