Marlon Brando’s GMT-Master is without question one of the most expensive incomplete wristwatches in the world. About three years ago, the watch that the actor wore in his role as Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola’s cult film “Apocalypse Now” caused a stir. At that time, the Phillips auction house managed to sell the watch for $1,952,000. This is despite the fact that the GMT-Master lacks the rotating bezel that is essential to the functioning of a watch with multiple time zones.
By the way, there is a reason for this and it goes back to a discussion with the film crew. Brando insisted on being allowed to wear his watch during filming. Producers disagreed and were concerned the clock would distract viewers. Brando is said to have said at the time: “If the audience is staring at my watch, I’m not doing my job well as an actor.” Nevertheless, the bezel, which already had a striking blue-red finish, was removed.
Many years after filming, Brando still hadn’t had the watch repaired – and gave it to his adopted daughter Petra. Brando is said to have said at the time: “This watch is like a tank. You can do anything you want with it and it will always keep running. I want you to have it as a reminder of how proud I am of you.”
In 2019, after the GMT-Master had been kept untouched by Petra Brando Fischer for 24 years, she had the watch sold publicly for the first time. A portion of the enormous sum went into her foundation.
Now, just a few years later, Christie’s auction house is offering the watch again. As part of the November “Passion for Time” auction, the GMT-Master is listed with an estimated price of 1-2 million Swiss francs. It remains to be seen whether it is still worth what was paid back then.
It is not known why the Rolex is going under the hammer again after the current owner, a businessman from Dubai named Mohammed Zaman, was prepared to pay an enormous sum for it just a few years ago. Christie’s simply said that the sale of his collection was the “end of an era” for him.
Experts see sales as an interesting point in the world of vintage watches. Dealer Eric Wind told men’s magazine GQ: “There are a lot of collectors of more modern watches and independent watches who feel the market has peaked. It will be interesting to see how the Brando GMT does, but I suspect “That it will be less than the price the owner paid… I think it was more exciting to bid on when it first came on the market. It seems too early to put it up for auction again.” Others believe that a temporary peak in used prices has been reached, before which collectors will increasingly want to part with their pieces.
Incidentally, Brando’s GMT-Master is not the most expensive watch in the upcoming auction – it only takes third place. Christie’s estimates that a rare Philippe Dufour could fetch the most, followed by a George Daniels. Brando’s GMT shares space with another Rolex, a slightly older 1952 Oyster Perpetual with a rare dial.
