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Rolex Milgaus 116400 GV: Some old pictures, and thoughts.
The Green Milgauss is one of the very few Rolex in the modern production which I like a lot, along with the GMT II Ceramic bezel ref 116710, and the Yachtmaster ref 16622.
While the GMT and the Yachtmaster can be considered as nice watches, the Milgauss, in its green configuration, plays another partition, a blend of fun, youth, an madness which I'd almost call irrespect.
Far from the roots, better, a total re intepretation of the originals ( 6541 / 1019 ).
The bracelet is a not a bad solution, it is well made, nice to see, but laybe a bit too shiny for my taste, and if you want to take pictures of the watch, it is not very practical:
So, first of all, let's remove the bracelet:
The case is thick, and big, but it doesn't lack of a certain charm, a certain sensuality, even if it looses a bit of elegance.
The bevels on the lugs disappeared, which is a pity, as they added something on the lugs.
Still, these " testosteroned " lugs and case are, in 40 mm, pretty appealing, which is not the case anymore when you go up to 42 / 43 mm ( See the all new Explorer II or the Deep Sea, which are metal burgers ).
The Milgauss, green or not, is the only current " professional " watch to not have crownguards, which is something which happily reminds me the Vintage GMT ( 6542 ) or Submariner ( 6200 / 6538 / 6536 / 5508 / 5510, Tudor 7922 / 7924... ).
The bezel is a tad too large, but it is coherent with the more massive lugs and case. A thinner bezel would not have tis place, in such a decorum.
But the real show, the real interest is not here...
What makes this watch so special is its glass, and its dial.
We all remember that Rolex had some issues with the green glass, when the watch was unveiled, and there was a serious delay on the delivery of the green Milgauss.
Now, all is ok, of course, and we can quietly enjoy this specifity, which is- sorry for the redundance- unique to the Milgauss.
Indeed, Rolex celebrated some of their models with some green accents: It may be the dial ( Sub / GMT ) or the bezel ( Sub ), but never the glass!
Rolex should have stopped here the originality of this watch, they were much farer in the madness, though...
The dial received a special treatment, too, with an awesome blend of orange ( lightning second hand, to recall the original model, then the 3 / 6 / 9 indexes, the 5 minutes numbers, and... Of course, the name " Milgauss ) and white, which looks green due to the colored glass.
The applied Rolex Logo at 12 adds a light touch of luxury on this crazy dial. Well done, in my opinion.
A view on the case back which doesn't show anything really special...
Now, and to end, let's talk about the bracelet...
This is no my favourite part of the watch. Its shiny look is a bit too much for me, and, as it kept the same size, it looks a bit narrow between these fatter lugs.
On the wrist, the watch is heavy to wear, too.
So, to break its too shiny, almost bling look, I had to find another solution, and, as you could suspect it, I found some funny alternatives, both being on Nato straps.
An orange Nato should be a bit too violent, so I avoided it and to say all, I don't have any orange Nato in my collection.
But what about a khaki green?
This is not something new as some, here did it much before me, like Baron, for example.
But, in my opinion, it works very well!
Nato Bond?
Funny, but maybe too colorful...
Definitely, the Khaki Green Nato is the one for the Rasta Milgauss!
One of the very rare Rolex which is funny, which also will give you a lot of fun.
So take yours, and play with your imagination!
All the best.
Nicolas.
I completely agree...
an absolutely superb modern Rolex!
I like it a lot - the right amount of colour!
..and on a soft black Nato, or an unpolished oyster would be the strap combo for me.
Thanks for the excellent photo summary.
Cheers Tony
Thanks for your feedback, Tony. Yes, a good quality black Nato would do it.
Or, as you suggested, an unpolished Oyster bracelet. This is the only detail I don't like on this modern Milgauss.
As well as the Rolex Rolex Rolex rehaut...
Best,
Nicolas.
I also put a Nato strap on mine
It is not a "green" Milgauss (not fan of green) but a black one:
I didn't like the new Milgauss with the blue dial. I think that green and blue are not a very appealing combo.
Thanks for the post.
Fx
I didn't like the new Milgauss with the blue dial. I think that green and blue are not a very appealing combo.
Thanks for the post.
Fx
Not sure about the Green Blue Milgauss, either. Have to see it in the flesh! Thanks. [nt]
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Brilliant post !
we have common taste for some modern Rolex models and I think you have captured the charms of the Milgauss GV
Your Rolex Milgauss on NATO is a winning combination.
It brings out the playfulness of the watch with its unusual green glass and orange lightning bolt seconds hand.
I like it.
Bill
I like it.
Bill
I do think so, too, Bill. And it changes form the central polished links of the bracelet. [nt]
No message body
Agreed!
Thank you, Nicolas! If I was to break from the Jaeger-LeCoultre I have my eye on for my next fine watch (more about that over in that forum sometime...) I would definitely be looking at a Milgaus GV.
I feel like the Milgaus and especially the GV is the watch enthusiast's Rolex. It definitely doesn't blend in with the "masses" and those of us here (in the know) would immediately recognize how special it is!
+1 on most, if not all.. Milgauss GV is one of my favorites of the moderns.. :)
.. together, now since Jan of this year, with the GMT 116710 BLNR, the " Bruiser"
with the ceramic bezel, the special steel type, etc.
(as I have reported here in my 3 posts about City Strolls & 3 choices)
In fact, for a long time, next to my trustworthy Date from 1978, the Milgauss was my only
modern Rolex, and found it frequently fun, easygoing, a bit exuberant but always
nice to have and wear.
Interestingly, I never have tried it on a Nato, why ? - simply said, because I do like
also the bezel, although it is true, that it adds to the weight..
- Even the little more Bling, the bracelet delivers with its polished look,
giving a certain shine, without being too much, IMO.
- But for me , I even like the watch's weight, and the solid sitting on my wrist,
and also, she always produces a bit of a smile, when I look on her..
Thus, I'm a bit a sort of non-conformist for some, but share most of your points,
on the other hand.
Yet, I guess, maybe the suggestion of the green Nato is a way to try, although I am always a bit
too lazy to change the bracelet off and on
Thus , yes, the Milgauss will stay one f my real likes !!
Thanks for your reflections, and the nice pics
Best, hs
with the ceramic bezel, the special steel type, etc.
(as I have reported here in my 3 posts about City Strolls & 3 choices)
In fact, for a long time, next to my trustworthy Date from 1978, the Milgauss was my only
modern Rolex, and found it frequently fun, easygoing, a bit exuberant but always
nice to have and wear.
Interestingly, I never have tried it on a Nato, why ? - simply said, because I do like
also the bezel, although it is true, that it adds to the weight..
- Even the little more Bling, the bracelet delivers with its polished look,
giving a certain shine, without being too much, IMO.
- But for me , I even like the watch's weight, and the solid sitting on my wrist,
and also, she always produces a bit of a smile, when I look on her..
Thus, I'm a bit a sort of non-conformist for some, but share most of your points,
on the other hand.
Yet, I guess, maybe the suggestion of the green Nato is a way to try, although I am always a bit
too lazy to change the bracelet off and on
Thus , yes, the Milgauss will stay one f my real likes !!
Thanks for your reflections, and the nice pics
Best, hs
Thanks for your input, hs.
One funny thing, though... I love to wear the Milgauss on a Nato, but after a while, I change for the bracelet, and I do love it too...
The Nato makes me love the bracelet, and vice versa. Funny, no?
Best,
Nicolas
The case dominates when it's on the bracelet. I think the dial gets the space it deserves
when you put it on the NATO. Would love to see it on a dark leather strap. This is one of my favorite contemporary Rolexes. The cleanest design I can think of in their tool watches.
I sometimes get hung up on the lightning bolt, and don't know if that would be a dealbreaker for me. However, I can remember the first time I saw a Milgauss, it made that strong an impression.
Funny, the Yachtmaster white dial is one of my other favorites too. And I remember the first time I saw one of those. I was taking a subway in Manhattan to the Guggenheim, and I saw a passenger wearing one. "Now there's a chunky rolex that I could wear" I thought.
Thanks for yout input, watchthatman. Yes, I think you nailed it, about strap and bracelet.
As for the Milgauss GV and the YM being your fav modern Rolex.... What can I say? Other than,... Bravo!
Best,
Nicolas
I don't get the NATO obsession at all
Here you own a watch with the most comfortable steel bracelet on the market and what do you do? Prefer a NATO strap?!?! Come on! That's ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that one would play around for a bit with the NATO straps because it's fun to change the 'view' of your watch (see below). But in the long run the steel bracelet is the most comfortable and how it is meant to be. And if you really don't like the polished center links there is a good solution. Bring the bracelet to a Rolex Service Center and tell them to BRUSH the middle links. Problem solved.
Green is better!
Steel is best:
This message has been edited by Arie on 2014-05-16 16:47:47
Orange=good!
Green is better!
Steel is best:
note
beautifully taken Millgaus pics btw Amanico!