Auctions: A Rolex GMT-Master That Went To Space Is Up For Auction
On February 5, 1971, the Lunar Module of Apollo 14 landed on the Moon with astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell on board. While Apollo astronauts were famously issued Omega Speedmaster Pros, Mitchell also decided to wear his Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 during the mission. When Mitchell set foot on the Moon, he became just the sixth person to do so. Now, Mitchell’s GMT-Master is at auction, along with a few other watches from his personal collection.
After joining the U.S. Navy and accumulating over 5,000 hours of flight time, Edgar Mitchell was selected as part of NASA’s fifth cohort of astronauts. He was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on the Apollo 13 operations team; his most notable contribution was flying simulators to help the crew navigate the Lunar Module back to Earth.
Mitchell then became the pilot for the Lunar Module of Apollo 14, the eighth crewed mission of the Apollo program and the third to land on the Moon. After making their lunar landing, Mitchell and Shepard made two walks on the Moon’s surface. (Famously, Shepard even hit a couple of golf balls.)
While Apollo program astronauts received their official Omega Speedmaster to wear on the outside of their spacesuits, a few also wore private watches under their suits. Jack Swigert wore his GMT-Master on Apollo 13 – Rolex had this watch on display at Watches & Wonders 2023, so I assume it’s a part of Rolex’s collection. The only other space-flown Rolex that’s been sold publicly is Ron Evan’s Pepsi GMT-Master, which sold at Heritage Auction in 2009 for $131,450.
The engraving indicates the watch was given to his daughter, Karlyn.
But Mitchell’s was probably the first Rolex on the Moon. The GMT-Master is at RR Auction, a well-known auction house in the world of space memorabilia – most recently, it’s also sold a bunch (here and here) of those gold Omega Speedmasters given to astronauts. Officially, the auction house calls Mitchell’s Rolex “one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches.” But there are photos of Mitchell wearing the watch before take-off, in the module, and right as he returns to Earth. It seems likely he would’ve had his GMT on during the duration of the flight.
The watch comes with a letter of authenticity signed by Mitchell, who died in 2016. It’s also engraved on the back: “Worn by CDR. E. Mitchell on Apollo 14, 1971. To Karlin [sic] – My Daughter.” RR Auction has placed an estimate of $400,000-plus on Mitchell’s GMT-Master, with the sale closing on October 25th.
A photo of Mitchell in the Module, Rolex on wrist.
I’d have to guess that a watch of such importance will attract the interest of Rolex as a bidder. It’s no secret the brand has scooped up a few of its historically important watches at auction over the last few years. Last year, it bought Commander Warren’s GMT-Master ref. 6542 at Sotheby’s, one of the more expensive results we’ve seen for a vintage GMT-Master (Marlon Brando’s bezel-less GMT still sets the pace, having now sold twice).
Ed Mitchell, putting on his Rolex GMT-Master.
I’d expect Mitchell’s GMT-Master 1675 to at least match RR Auctions’ estimate.
As for the watch itself, the serial number dates it to about 1970-71, meaning he bought it shortly before the Apollo 14 flight. The bracelet code dates to the end of 1970. Interestingly, it has a 9315 bracelet with Fliplock clasp, more commonly associated with Rolex’s dive watches. The “Pepsi” bezel has aged to a deep color, with the red fading just a bit. The Mark 1 “Long E” dial is nicely preserved, with a warm aging to the lume. The luminous hands are slightly lighter, not uncommon, especially on these early matte dial examples. The case looks to be in excellent condition, with thick bevels and few scratches – the same goes for the folded Oyster bracelet. Especially with the engraving and corresponding letter, it’s almost like Mitchell knew exactly what this watch would mean one day, and that it might represent a life-changing sum of money for his daughter.
There are a few other space-related watches in the sale: Dave Scott’s gold Apollo 11 Speedmaster, and a custom Bulova also from Ed Mitchell, among others. But Mitchell’s Rolex GMT-Master is easily the most important.
For more on Ed Mitchell’s GMT-Master 1675, check out the lot on RR Auction.
Hodinkee
