Actor Lee Pace spotted wearing a Rolex

Actor Lee Pace was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400GV-0002 during an interview with Wall Street Journal's Lane Florsheim. The sighting captures one of Rolex's most distinctive mid-range sports watches at a moment of particular significance—the Milgauss collection was discontinued in 2023 after a 16-year production run that began in 2007.

The Milgauss Ref. 116400GV-0002 houses Rolex's calibre 3131, a self-winding movement operating at 28,800 vph with a 42-hour power reserve. The 40 mm Oystersteel case employs the brand's proprietary Faraday cage construction—a soft iron interior shield that provides protection against magnetic fields exceeding 1,000 gauss. The Z-Blue dial variant, introduced in 2014, features applied luminous indices and the reference's signature orange accents, including the distinctive thunderbolt-shaped seconds hand. The dial is protected by Rolex's green-tinted sapphire crystal (glace verte), a hallmark of this reference. Water resistance reaches 100 metres, appropriate for a tool watch with scientific heritage rather than diving capability.

Among Milgauss collectors, the 116400GV-0002 blue variant occupies a premium position within the reference family. The original 116400 black dial launched in 2007 to coincide with CERN's Large Hadron Collider completion. The subsequent 2014 introduction of the blue and green dial variants expanded the range's appeal beyond technical enthusiasts. The green-tinted crystal became a signature visual marker, instantly distinguishing the Milgauss from Rolex's broader sports watch portfolio. Production variants remain relatively scarce, particularly the blue dial in early production years.

Pace's choice reflects the Milgauss's cultural positioning: a technically sophisticated instrument watch with distinct aesthetic presence, neither a sports chronograph nor a classic dress piece. The Faraday cage construction and anti-magnetic calibre 3131 remain functionally irrelevant for most wearers in 2024, yet the design language—the angular thunderbolt hand, the stubby lug-to-lug proportions, the bold dial graphic—carries design-forward appeal that transcends technical specification.

Grey-market examples of the 116400GV-0002 currently trade in the $11,000–$13,500 range, a notable premium over its $6,400 original retail price. The 2023 discontinuation has accelerated secondary-market activity and collector interest. Pre-owned examples with solid service history command premiums reflecting scarcity and the broader appeal of discontinued Rolex sports references.