Apollo 14 GMT
The recent auction of Edgar Mitchell’s Apollo 14-worn Rolex GMT-Master (Reference 1675) exceeded most expectations, achieving a remarkable $2,165,198.75, including buyer’s premium ($1,730,559 hammer price). With 16 total bidders, according to Coronet, it’s clear that this piece – the first GMT-Master worn on the moon's surface – was in very high demand. While it remains unconfirmed, many in the industry suspect Rolex was the winning bidder—a natural move, given their recent acquisitions of significant vintage pieces (including other space-flown GMT-Masters). If true, Mitchell's GMT-Master could eventually join the ranks of other historically important Rolexes featured in brand exhibitions (or, potentially, a museum one day).
With a price tag surpassing $2 million, Mitchell’s GMT-Master joins the likes of Eric Clapton’s ‘Albino’ Datyona (sold for $1.5M) and Marlon Brando’s bezel-less GMT-Master (sold for $1.9M and most recently $5M). For reference, Ron Evan’s Apollo 17-flown Rolex GMT-Master 1675 sold for just $131,450 in 2009.
This sale not only demonstrates the value of such one-of-a-kind historical examples, but also hints at an increasing appetite among collectors—and Rolex themselves—for acquiring and preserving true icons.
For readers wanting more on the watch itself, you can find more detail in our initial article. There, we delve into how this GMT-Master found its way onto the Apollo 14 mission, its rarity as a space-flown Rolex, and why Rolex has such a vested interest in securing it.
Did the result surprise you, or were you expecting this watch to fetch a similarly high price? Let us know in the comments, and if you’re interested in customizing your Rolex watch, check out our selection of curved end straps for Rolex watches.
The recent auction of Edgar Mitchell’s Apollo 14-worn Rolex GMT-Master (Reference 1675) exceeded most expectations, achieving a remarkable $2,165,198.75, including buyer’s premium ($1,730,559 hammer price). With 16 total bidders, according to Coronet, it’s clear that this piece – the first GMT-Master worn on the moon's surface – was in very high demand. While it remains unconfirmed, many in the industry suspect Rolex was the winning bidder—a natural move, given their recent acquisitions of significant vintage pieces (including other space-flown GMT-Masters). If true, Mitchell's GMT-Master could eventually join the ranks of other historically important Rolexes featured in brand exhibitions (or, potentially, a museum one day).
With a price tag surpassing $2 million, Mitchell’s GMT-Master joins the likes of Eric Clapton’s ‘Albino’ Datyona (sold for $1.5M) and Marlon Brando’s bezel-less GMT-Master (sold for $1.9M and most recently $5M). For reference, Ron Evan’s Apollo 17-flown Rolex GMT-Master 1675 sold for just $131,450 in 2009.
This sale not only demonstrates the value of such one-of-a-kind historical examples, but also hints at an increasing appetite among collectors—and Rolex themselves—for acquiring and preserving true icons.
For readers wanting more on the watch itself, you can find more detail in our initial article. There, we delve into how this GMT-Master found its way onto the Apollo 14 mission, its rarity as a space-flown Rolex, and why Rolex has such a vested interest in securing it.
Did the result surprise you, or were you expecting this watch to fetch a similarly high price? Let us know in the comments, and if you’re interested in customizing your Rolex watch, check out our selection of curved end straps for Rolex watches.
