CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
AuctionsJul 15, 2019
Marlon Brando’s Rolex from ‘Apocalypse Now’ Up for Auction
Thought to be lost, the watch with a hand engraving from Brando himself will hit the block at Phillips this winter.
Actor Marlon Brando wore this Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” in 1979. The watch will go up for auction at Phillips New York in December.
New York—Another watch from the archive of films featuring Academy Award winner Marlon Brando will be up for auction this winter.
On Dec. 10 the Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 worn by the actor in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” will be part of the Phillips New York “Game Changers” sale. The thematic auction is dedicated to watches once owned by people considered game changers in their field.
Released in August 1979, “Apocalypse Now” is seen as one of Coppola’s greatest accomplishments as well as one of Brando’s most iconic performances.
In it, he played the role of Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, a former Green Beret who goes rogue running his own military unit in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
Brando said he wore the watch, manufactured in 1972, to the set in the Philippines and was told he had to remove it during film because it would stand out.
Brando argued: “If they’re looking at my watch, then I’m not doing my job as an actor.”
He said the filmmakers let him wear the watch, but he decided to remove the bezel, resulting in its unique look.
It also features an engraving on the caseback, “M. Brando,” hand-engraved by Brando himself (pictured below).
In 1995, Brando gave the watch to his daughter, Petra Brando Fischer, as she was getting ready to head to law school at the University of Southern California.
He reportedly handed her a hand-written letter in which he told her he was proud of her accomplishments, then gave her the Rolex GMT-Master and said, “This watch is like a tank. You can do anything you want to it and it will keep on going. I want you to have it as a reminder of how proud I am of you.”
Brando Fischer gifted the watch to her husband, Russel Fischer, on their wedding day in 2003.
The Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 is being offered as she received it—without a bezel and fitted on a rubber strap.
The watch was thought to be lost. Its sale in December marks its first time being shown publicly and offered for sale since Brando acquired it in the early 1970s.
A company spokesperson said a pre-sale estimate for the watch has yet to be decided; it will be listed in the catalog as “estimate upon request.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Phillips said Brando Fischer and her husband would like the public to remember Brando’s contribution to film and his legacy through the sale of the watch.
“Russel and I believe this watch is a piece of movie history that belongs in the hands of a collector who will give it the prominence it deserves,” she said.
A portion of the sale proceeds will assist a charitable foundation the two established, which provides financial support to children who are living with serious hardship due to abuse, neglect, poverty, or disability.
Kruse GWS Auctions set a world record in May when it sold another of Brando’s Rolex watches for nearly $50,000.
Phillips’ “Game Changers” sale Dec. 10 will include collectors’ models from leading watch brands that have “changed the course of watchmaking and watch collecting,” alongside other timepieces notable for their provenance, condition or rarity, like the Jack Nicklaus Rolex Day‐Date announced earlier this year.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
