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The blacked-out Rolex Milgauss became a celebrity favourite not as an official all-black Rolex model, but as a customized take on a distinctive anti-magnetic watch. A 2022 feature by Time+Tide identified examples associated with Jennifer Aniston, Anthony Bourdain, Anthony Kiedis, Jeff Goldblum and Conan O’Brien, while describing modifications that varied from watch to watch. Those are reported sightings and visual identifications—not independently authenticated ownership records.
Why the Milgauss stands out
Rolex introduced the Milgauss in 1956 for engineers and technicians working around magnetic fields that could disrupt mechanical watches. The manufacturer says the watch was designed to resist interference up to 1,000 gauss while maintaining chronometric performance; the name joins the French mille (“thousand”) with “gauss.” Rolex’s history notes that researchers at CERN tested the model and identifies its orange lightning-bolt seconds hand as a design element inspired by the original. (Rolex history; Rolex Milgauss guide)
For the modern stock watch shown in Rolex’s user guide, the listed specifications include a 40 mm Oyster case, water resistance to 100 metres (330 feet), a self-winding movement, Chromalight markers and hands, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and an Oyster bracelet with Easylink extension. Those are factory-model specifications, not a guarantee that a modified celebrity example retained every original component. (Rolex Milgauss guide)
What “blacked-out” means
Time+Tide’s Zach Blass described the celebrity watches as modified Milgausses, with black DLC or PVD treatments reported on examples. The feature also described a textured, carbon-fibre-like appearance on one watch. These are visual descriptions in that article, not Rolex factory finishes or verified coating specifications for each individual watch. DLC and PVD refer to different coating processes; the article does not establish which chemistry was applied to every example.
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- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Minor wear and scratches on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 40mm, Watch Height: 13mm, Band Width: 20mm, Wrist circumference: 7.5"
- Band material: Stainless Steel
- Case material: Stainless Steel
Customization can change more than the case and bracelet’s colour. The reported watches differ in crystal colour and seconds-hand appearance, so “black Milgauss” does not identify one uniform configuration. A black coating alone also does not establish a watch’s reference, originality, or provenance.
The celebrity examples reported
In its July 26, 2022 feature, Time+Tide named five celebrity examples. It credited Nick Gould with helping spot them. The precise references are not established for every watch, and the feature’s identifications should be treated as secondary-source reporting rather than independent authentication.
| Celebrity | What Time+Tide reported |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Aniston | Repeatedly spotted wearing a blacked-out Milgauss; the feature describes a glossy black DLC or PVD finish and a clear sapphire crystal in place of the green one. |
| Anthony Bourdain | A blacked-out example retaining the green crystal. The article’s proposed connection between the watch and his travel or filming life is the writer’s interpretation, not a documented statement from Bourdain. |
| Anthony Kiedis | A blackened case and bracelet with a carbon-fibre-like textured appearance and an almost neon-green seconds hand instead of the orange one. |
| Jeff Goldblum | Identified as another wearer of a blacked-out Milgauss; the feature gives less technical detail about the modification. |
| Conan O’Brien | Reportedly spotted wearing one repeatedly during late-night show tapings. |
The article’s supporting material included event-photo captions for Aniston, Bourdain and Kiedis, and an Instagram credit for Goldblum. Such images and captions help explain the identifications, but they do not establish who commissioned a modification or independently prove ownership.
Rank #2
- Stainless steel—316L Classic analog dial design with a Japanese-made movement Durable sapphire crystal Screw-down crown for enhanced water resistance Water-resistant to 100 meters
- 8215 Movement: An automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve and precise timekeeping. Since the rotor is connected to the manual winding mechanism, every movement of the wrist causes the rotor to spin, transferring energy to the mainspring.
- 100-Meter Water Resistance: Water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters, it easily handles most daily activities, such as washing hands, getting caught in the rain, and swimming (requires the crown to be pushed into the water-resistant position).
- Dimensions: Case thickness: 14 mm; Strap width: 20 mm; Bezel circumference: 240 mm; Bezel diameter: 10 mm. This watch is ideal for middle-aged men, husbands, and fathers, making it a perfect birthday or Father’s Day gift.
- You will receive a Pagani-designed watch, a designer gift box, the watch manual, and a Pagani-designed watch cleaning cloth; returns or exchanges are accepted, and the watch comes with a 1-month warranty.
How the custom examples differ from factory Milgausses
The modern Milgauss returned in reference 116400 in 2007. Phillips’ retrospective describes black- and silver-dial versions, along with the black-dial 116400GV, whose sapphire crystal has a green tint. The electric-blue Z-Blue GV arrived in 2014. Phillips says Rolex discontinued non-GV models in 2016; Hodinkee reported on March 27, 2023 that Rolex had discontinued the remaining modern Milgauss versions, including the green-crystal black-dial and Z-Blue models. (Phillips retrospective; Hodinkee report)
That factory history matters when comparing a reported celebrity watch with a standard example. Aniston’s clear crystal, as described by Time+Tide, differs from the green-tinted crystal associated with a 116400GV; Bourdain’s reported watch retained the green crystal. Kiedis’s alternate-looking seconds hand departs from the Milgauss’s signature orange lightning bolt. The feature does not establish the reference of each celebrity watch, so these visual differences cannot safely be used to assign one.
What the celebrity appeal does—and does not—show
The Milgauss combines a technical origin story with unusually recognizable details: the lightning-bolt hand, and, on certain factory versions, a green-tinted crystal. A dark custom finish changes the overall look without erasing the model’s identity. That contrast is the likely style appeal behind the reported sightings, but the available accounts do not establish why any named celebrity chose a particular watch.
Rank #3
- Automatic Watch movement: NH35A movement imported from Japan is of excellent quality, A good movement determines the value of a watch.When we wear a watch, the swing of our arms will drive the pendulum to rotate, and the winding in the watch will drive the chain of the watch, Push the time operation, and wear the rotating handle head for 20-30 turns for the first time
- Pagani Design 1733 Size:Watch thickness: 14 mm/0.55 inch. strap width: 20 mm/0.79 inch. The circumference of the watch is 240 mm/ 9.45 inch and the diameter is 10 mm/1.57 inch. The watch is designed for adult men. If your wrist is relatively small, we have distributed gadgets to adjust the strap
- Green Sapphire Crystal is a unique watch crystal that is scratch and fade resistant and is only used on this watch. Its light green hue runs throughout the crystal, turning almost luminous at the beveled edges. It is the result of a secret process that takes years of development to master and takes weeks to produce
- Z-Blue dial Green sapphire crystal was introduced on the PD1733, setting a precedent in watchmaking. This crystal is now combined with an electric blue dial that hints at the iconic lightning-shaped seconds hand.
- Excellent Customer Service: If you encounter any product quality or function problems after receiving the watch, please contact us in time to solve the problem for you. Generally, you will receive a response within 12 to 48 hours after sending the message.
Time+Tide’s five examples demonstrate that the blacked-out look appeared in several reported celebrity sightings; they do not measure how common it is among celebrities or prove that every watch was made by the same modifier. The source names Artisans de Genève, Blaken, Titan and Project X Designs as Rolex modifiers, but does not tie those firms to the individual celebrity watches discussed here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check when evaluating one
Because the Milgauss is discontinued, anyone looking for one today is considering a pre-owned or vintage watch rather than a new model from Rolex. The 2023 discontinuation does not by itself establish a current price or the availability of any particular reference.
Quick Recap
- Reference and original configuration: Establish whether the watch is a 116400 or a GV variant, and compare its dial and crystal with the documented factory versions. Do not infer the reference from a celebrity photograph.
- Modification details: Ask what coating was applied, which components were treated or replaced, and whether the crystal and seconds hand are original. The celebrity feature’s “DLC or PVD” wording is not a precise specification for a given watch.
- Provenance and condition: Request documentation and an assessment of the actual watch. The celebrity sightings in Time+Tide do not authenticate a seller’s claim that a specific piece belonged to a named person.
- Factory parts and service: Clarify whether original parts are included and how the modifications affect servicing or restoration. The cited sources do not assess any current listing or establish the policies of individual service providers.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
