- US-based space memorabilia specialist RR Auctions is offering a GMT-Master ref. 1675, from the collection of Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell.
- The watch is reportedly only the second ever Rolex moon watch to be offered publicly.
- Online bids may be placed until 9 AM EDT (6 PM in Australia) on October 24th.
While your average enthusiast might assume that Omega’s Speedmaster Professional is the iconic “watch on the moon” (and rightfully so), it’s certainly not the only timepiece that has had the historic honour of landing upon the lunar surface.
Enter the GMT-Master ref. 1675 (AKA. the GMT ‘El Cornino’). Specifically, the example belonging to American astronaut Edgar Mitchell: who wore it whilst piloting the Lunar Module used during the Apollo 14 mission.
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Offered through RR Auctions, this historic Rolex moon watch is up for online bidding until October 25th. As of writing, the high offer sits at US$257,233 (AU$382,00): a sizable sum, already up nearly 50% on a similar example worn by Apollo 17 pilot Ron Evans, which hammered in 2009 for US$131,450.
This makes Mitchell’s Apollo-flown GMT-Master only the second lunar Rolex to be offered at auction; with such mythic provenance reinforced by an accompanying certificate of authenticity (signed by Mitchell himself) and appraisal note courtesy of the New Hampshire-based jeweller Bellman’s.
As for the watch itself, Coronet obsessives shall recognise this as a fairly typical example of the classic ref. 1675 in the widely beloved ‘Pepsi’ configuration.
As with other well-preserved 1675s sold between 1970-1971, this GMT’s Tritium lume plots exhibit a lovely, waffle-like cream colour. Other peculiarities, that will delight vintage Rolex collectors, include the Mark I ‘Long E’ dial signature and Fliplock-style 9315 bracelet.
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The solid caseback is engraved with a personal message that reads: “WORN BY CDR. E. MITCHELL ON APOLLO 14, 1971, TO KARLIN — MY DAUGHTER.”
Finally, it’s worth pointing out that, for an object which has been worn above the Earth’s atmosphere and in outer space, this 70s-era GMT is in reasonably good condition.
The intactness of the case and bracelet are qualities which armchair experts and professionals alike have remarked upon at length. Factoring in the aforementioned provenance, we’re pretty confident this second Rolex moon watch should have no trouble cracking its initial estimate (i.e. US$400,000).
