Rolex Watch from the Vietnam War

The highlight at this summer’s Live Auction for wristwatches is a Rolex GMT Master ref. 1675, a wristwatch that was worn during the Vietnam War by Captain Ernest D. Sprinkel, Commander of the U.S. Headquarter and Headquarters Company. He was a helicopter pilot for the 269th Combat Aviation Battalion “Black Barons”. Activated for deployment to Vietnam from Fort Bragg in July 1966, the 269 arrived in the Republic of Vietnam in January 1967 and was responsible for key airmobile operations conducted in the III Corps’ tactical zone.

The watch presented is accompanied by Captain Ernest D. Sprinkel’s 269 battalion helicopter pilot’s helmet, Rolex box, original certificate and original receipt of purchase from Cu Chi, Vietnam the 29th of April 1967. It was this year that the battalion, under the leadership of Captain Sprinkel, earned the distinction of repeatedly flying more combat hours, conducting more combat assaults and hauling more troops and cargo than any other combat aviation battalion at the time. It is unlikely that a watch of this calibre will come to market again, and together with the additional memorabilia, this remarkable gilt dial ref. 1675 has an estimate of DKK 100,000–150,000.

Rolex GMT – Master from the 1950s

There quite simply isn’t another watch that encapsulates the 50s and 60s travel boom like the Rolex GMT. For ease of use, it is unmatched and increasingly sought after by collectors. Originally launched in 1955 and designed for pilots, the GMT offered two time zones, which effortlessly met the needs of a period of unprecedented aviation. With its red and blue bezel, the watch was instantly recognisable from across the bar, at the office and in the cockpit.

Pan American World Airways, a pioneer of air travel in the 50s, adopted the GMT-Master as its official watch. The partnership was marked in 1959 by the first non-stop Pan Am Jet Clipper flight from New York to Moscow.

Adjustments to the Design of the Watch

Over the years, the bezel of the GMT has traversed several colour configurations such as red and black, all black, all green, blue and black as well as black and brown in later models. Like almost all Rolex watches, the design hasn’t changed greatly over the years: In 1959 the Plexiglas was replaced; a new movement was installed in 1982 and in 2005 the ceramic insert was introduced. The market for GMTs with unpolished, faded bezels and creamy markers has skyrocketed in recent years.

Preview & Auction

In addition to the exclusive Rolex watches, the auction also offers timeless classics from Audemars Piguet, Breitling, IWX, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Panerai and Patek Philippe. You can see and try on all the wristwatches at our preview at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen from 23-27 May. The auction will be held on Thursday 6 June at 6pm (CET).

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