The watch itself is extremely distinctive. In many ways, it's a classic matte dial ref. 1675 GMT-Master. But then things get a bit weird. On the set of Apocalypse Now, someone on the crew thought the watch looked too nice, so Brando popped the bezel off, leaving the watch in the state in which you see it here. Adding to the ruggedness is an "M. Brando" engraving on the caseback that Brando did himself with a simple engraving pen. It looks suitably rough and fits the watch nicely. The watch is fitted to a black strap, not an Oyster bracelet, that is not too dissimilar from the strap on which Brando wore the watch in the film (though it is not the original).
Back in 2014, Ben rounded up 12 of the most legendary watches that appeared to be lost to history. This very watch was among the dozen, sitting alongside the now-found ref. 6239 Rolex Daytona owned by Paul Newman (yep, the one that fetched $17.5 million at auction a little less than two years ago), John Lennon's still-missing Patek Philippe ref. 2499, and more.
The story of how this watch was lost and then rediscovered is a pretty familiar one. The watch was given as a gift by Brando to his adopted daughter, Petra Brando Fischer, in 1995. She then gave it to her husband in 2003, who kept the watch somewhere safe as a family heirloom, preferring not to wear it out and about. It's a slightly more romantic twist on the old "it sat in a sock drawer for decades" story that we've all heard. Luckily, after the sale of the Paul Newman Daytona in 2017, Fischer realized she had something truly special on her hands and she decided to bring it back out into the light.
One extra thing worth noting here is that the auction in which this watch will be sold is called "Game Changers" and it will take place on December 10 in New York City. Also in that auction? The Rolex Day-Date owned and worn by Mr. Jack Nicklaus for more than 50 years. Beyond their celebrity provenance, the two watches are connected in another important way: charity. A portion of the Brando watch proceeds will go to a charitable foundation for abused children. Nicklaus's watch will be sold with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Jack Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundation, even the buyer's premium that would normally go to Phillips. A good watch doing some good in the world? Sign me up.
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at the Marlon Brando Apocalypse Now Rolex GMT-Master very soon. For now, visit Phillips online to learn more.
*Article copied from www.hodinkee.com on 07/12/19
Author - Steven Pulvirent
TimeWise Watch Company LLC has not written or altered any part of this article and takes NO credit of above article. This article was copied for entertainment purposes only. Original post here -> https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/marlon-brando-rolex-gmt-master-apocalypse-now-phillips-breaking-news