This week, Johnsons Jewellers, unveil why the iconic Rolex Milgauss is the watch of choice for a wide range of celebrity enthusiasts.  

English guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Eric Clapton and English actor, film producer and the sixth James Bond Daniel Craig are two of the UK’s most well-known celebrities, both renowned for their unwavering style and huge influence.

What’s more, the pair share a common interest; the Rolex Milgauss.  One of the Swiss manufacturer’s most iconic timepieces, the watch continues to be the choice of superstars, joining them on the world stage.  

At 68, Clapton is still considered a rock god and Daniel Craig, 45, ever since being photographed looking tanned and buffed on a sun soaked beach has been hailed amongst many female admirers as…well, just a god.

As for the Rolex Milgauss, what’s not to love about its quiet good looks and superior quality? It’s a highly collectible model introduced by Rolex in 1956 with the model number 6451. The Milgauss was designed to meet the demands of the scientific community and is capable of withstanding magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss. It became known notably as the watch worn by scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. The new-generation Milgauss, introduced in 2007, features several innovative components that enhance protection from magnetic interference.

The Milgauss was designed as anti-magnetic watch where electromagnetic fields can cause huge disruption to its timing. The current model Milgauss is equipped with a magnetic alloy (Parachrom-Blu) and the movement is encased by a Faraday cage.

There are currently three versions: white dial or black dial with a standard colourless sapphire crystal, and the GV (Glace Verte) or “Anniversary” model, with black dial with a green-tinted sapphire crystal

Eric ClaptonEric Clapton

Eric was born in Ripley, Surrey in March 1945 and took up the guitar at around the age of 15. By 16 he was busking around Kingston and Ripley and impressing all who heard him. Eric paid his dues in bands such as the Yardbirds and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (where he picked up the nickname ‘Slowhand’) and was just coming to the end of a legendary spell with the world’s first supergroup Cream when Daniel Craig was born in March 1968.

Clapton’s major source of influence is the blues, particularly the work of Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, sometimes called the grandfather of rock and roll. Clapton himself has recently become a grandfather.

Throughout the 60’s and 70’s, with several milestone albums to his credit, Eric Clapton was recognised as one of the best guitar players in the world, but even he acknowledges that he was eclipsed by the short but nonetheless dazzling guitar playing career of Jimi Hendrix. Like all the best rock legends, Clapton did the 60s and 70s in true rock and roll style and is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic to prove it.

Celebrity watch collector Eric Clapton is still in huge demand. He collects Rolex watches and in addition to his Milgauss he is often seen performing on stage wearing his Rolex Daytona on the fatband, worn in the same style as Paul Newmam. Last year an Patek Philippe reference 2499/100 owned by Eric Clapton sold at auction for £2.44 million.

In addition to watches, Clapton also adores fast cars and has collected Ferraris for decades, and his enduring love of speed is evident in his recent purchase of a $4.75 million bespoke Ferrari made especially for him.

Despite Clapton’s songs appearing in dozens of contemporary movies, as yet not one of them has starred Daniel Craig.

Daniel CraigDaniel Craig

Daniel was born in Chester in March 1968 and made his way up the acting ranks with a string of successful films. In 2002 he starred in Road to Perdition, which also starred fellow Rolex enthusiast Paul Newman. In 2006 he was named as the new James Bond and debuted in Casino Royale, followed by Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale.

Despite wearing the Omega Planet Ocean as his on screen counterpart, Craig’s own discerning taste favours the Rolex Milgauss and he is often seen wearing his watch of choice both in the UK and on location around the world.