Singer Anthony Kiedis spotted wearing a Rolex

New York Fashion Week provided the backdrop for this sharp watch sighting: Anthony Kiedis, vocalist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, seated front-row at what appears to be a runway presentation photographed by Getty's Dia Dipasupil. On his left wrist, partially visible beneath the cuff of a heavily customised Adidas track jacket, sits a blacked-out Rolex Milgauss — a piece that rewards closer inspection.

The base reference appears to be the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV, the 'Green Glass' variant introduced in 2007 that reignited collector interest in a model that had been discontinued since 1988. The 116400GV features a 40mm Oystersteel case housing the Calibre 3131 movement, a self-winding manufacture movement with a Parachrom hairspring and the signature Faraday cage inner shield that delivers its 1,000-gauss magnetic resistance. The distinctive orange lightning-bolt seconds hand — a nod to the watch's scientific and electrical heritage — is a hallmark of the line. What sets this example apart is the full aftermarket black PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) treatment applied to the case and bracelet, delivering a monolithic, covert aesthetic that Rolex itself has never offered on the Milgauss in the factory catalogue.

Custom PVD Rolex pieces occupy an interesting space in the collector community. Purists often view aftermarket coatings with scepticism, as they void the Rolex warranty and can affect resale value with traditional collectors. However, a growing segment of the market — particularly those drawn to blacked-out tool watches — actively seeks these modifications from reputable coaters. Done well, PVD adds negligible thickness and delivers exceptional durability.

For Kiedis, the choice is entirely consistent. The RHCP frontman has long gravitated toward individualistic, countercultural expressions of style, and a factory-standard Rolex would feel incongruous with his aesthetic. The Milgauss, already the brand's most unconventional sports reference, becomes even more singular in stealth black.

On the open market, a standard 116400GV trades in the $9,000–$13,000 range depending on condition and papers. A professionally executed full black PVD conversion typically adds $500–$1,500 in modification cost, though collector reception — and therefore resale — varies considerably. As a wearable, personalised piece, it is exactly that: a watch built to be worn, not archived.