Edgar Mitchell was the sixth. While most astronauts wore NASA-issued Speedmasters – government property that will never be sold – some opted for personal watches tucked beneath their suits. One such watch is Mitchell’s Rolex GMT-Master.
This particular watch, the replica Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675, was likely on Mitchell’s wrist during his historic Moon walk. Currently, RR Auction is offering this fascinating artifact for sale, prompting an exploration of its rich history.
Edgar Mitchell (September 17, 1930 – February 4, 2016) was a Texan-born U.S. Navy officer and test pilot. While perhaps not as widely known as some of his Apollo counterparts, his credentials speak volumes. With a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics, he was also an instructor in advanced mathematics and navigation theory, making him exceptionally qualified for space travel.
Mitchell played a vital role in the Apollo 13 mission, assisting the crew with critical simulator trials to navigate their challenges. In 1971, he achieved his own milestone as the Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 14. Over the course of his career, he spent 216 hours and 42 minutes in space, including 33 hours on the lunar surface. During his Moon walk, he collected materials and set up research equipment, amassing 42 kilos of samples alongside Commander Alan Shepard.
Now, let’s delve into the watch itself. While Apollo astronauts were famously issued Omega Speedmasters for outside wear, many, including Mitchell, wore personal copy watches beneath their suits. Notably, Mitchell’s choice was a Rolex GMT-Master, similar to that worn by Stuart Roosa, the Command Module pilot on Apollo 14. There’s also speculation that Mitchell had another personal Rolex on his other arm during the mission. Although RR Auction designates this GMT-Master as “Apollo-flown,” it’s unlikely he would have brought the watch to space only to leave it behind during his Moon walks.
The GMT-Master reference 1675 was produced by Rolex from 1959 to 1980, and this specific model dates back to 1970, based on its serial number, 2,448,767. Edgar Mitchell wore the watch on a 1970 Oyster bracelet, as evidenced by several photographs from that period.
Interestingly, it’s said that Mitchell intended his private watches as gifts for his daughters. The engraving on the case back of this GMT-Master reads, “Worn by CDR. E. Mitchell on Apollo 14, 1971. To Karlin – My Daughter,” though it amusingly misspells his daughter’s name as “Karlin” instead of “Karlyn.”
Currently open for bidding at RR Auction, this watch is recognized as the second Apollo-flown Rolex ever to be auctioned. The previous auction of Apollo 17 astronaut Ron Evans’ personal GMT-Master fetched $131,000. RR Auction estimates that Mitchell’s GMT-Master will sell for over $400,000. Accompanying the watch are a letter of authenticity and several photographs of Edgar Mitchell wearing it. Bidding remains open until October 25th, allowing ample time for interested buyers.
While the auction price may seem astronomical, the real allure lies in the history and story behind such a unique watch. Lesser-known narratives like Mitchell’s provide a glimpse into the lives of these legendary astronauts.
NASA spent approximately $18,500 (adjusted for inflation) for every kilogram of cargo sent to space. Estimating each replica Rolex’s weight at around 100 grams, the cost for Mitchell’s personal souvenirs adds up to about $3,700. One can only imagine his feelings about the misspelling after all the effort!