Comedian Colin Jost spotted wearing a Rolex

At the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles in September 2018, Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update anchor Colin Jost made a quiet but deliberate horological statement alongside his then-girlfriend Scarlett Johansson. On his wrist: a Rolex Milgauss reference 116400GV, identifiable by its signature green sapphire crystal and black dial with orange seconds hand and orange-tipped hour markers — a combination that reads understated in a tuxedo yet rewards the attentive eye.

The Milgauss occupies a singular niche in Rolex's catalogue. First introduced in 1956 and developed in collaboration with CERN's European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, it was purpose-built to withstand magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss — hence the name, from the French 'mille' (thousand). The reference 116400GV, launched in 2007, revived the model with modern DNA: a Faraday cage inner shield protecting the Cal. 3131 movement, a unidirectional smooth bezel, and that distinctive green-tinted flat sapphire — a first for Rolex at the time of release. The lightning-bolt seconds hand, a nod to the original 1956 design, completes the aesthetic.

Among collectors, the 116400GV 'green glass' has developed a loyal following. It sits outside Rolex's sport-watch mainstream — no ceramic bezel, no date complication — which gives it a cult appeal among buyers who prefer something quieter than a GMT-Master II or Daytona but still distinctly purposeful. The black dial version with orange accents is considered the most visually dynamic of the dial variants offered.

Jost, known for his sharp comedic sensibility and self-aware style on SNL, chose well for a black-tie event. The Milgauss reads formal enough in stainless steel on an Oyster bracelet, yet carries genuine technical heritage that separates it from a dress watch. It speaks to someone who knows watches without needing to broadcast it — fitting for a writer rather than a performer.

On the grey market, the 116400GV has appreciated steadily since Rolex discontinued the Milgauss line entirely in 2023, making existing references increasingly desirable. Secondary market premiums have climbed accordingly, and the model is now widely regarded as an undervalued collector piece entering a new appreciation cycle.