Rolex Gentleman’s wristwatch made of steel. Model Master GMT ''Gilt'' (1966). Estimate: DKK 100,000-150,000.
Rolex Gentleman’s wristwatch made of steel. Model Master GMT ''Gilt'' (1966). Estimate: DKK 100,000-150,000.

Press release -

Rolex Watch from the Vietnam War

A sought-after Rolex which a military backstory will be sold at this summer's Live Auction. The model in question is a model GMT Master that has been worn by the helicopter pilot Captain Ernest D. Sprinkel during the Vietnam War in 1967.

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 dialed, ref. 1675 has an estimate of DKK 100,000–150,000. Read more about the watch

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.

View all the lots of the wristwatch auction

Topics

Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers is one of Scandinavia’s leading international auction houses, and one of Denmark’s oldest. It all started on 6 October 1948, when Arne Bruun Rasmussen conducted the first traditional auction in the saleroom at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen. Today, Jesper Bruun Rasmussen stands at the helm of the family-run business together with the third generation of the family, his son Frederik and daughter Alexa, and the company’s CEO Jakob Dupont.

In 2004, the first online auction was launched, and today the auction house has expanded to include departments in Copenhagen and Aarhus and representations in Sweden, Germany, England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, Italy, Thailand and the US. About 100,000 lots are put up for auction each year at the traditional auctions, the daily online auctions and - the latest edition - direct auctions. Here you can bid on everything from art, antiques, modern design and jewellery to books, coins, stamps, wine and weaponry.

Contacts

Kirstine Dam Olsen

Kirstine Dam Olsen

Press contact +45 8818 1064

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Rolex wristwatch made of steel. Model Master GMT "Gilt" (1966) Estimate: DKK 100,000-150,000.
  • Rolex wristwatch made of steel. Model Master GMT "Gilt" (1966) Estimate: DKK 100,000-150,000.
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Included with the watch is Captain Sprinkel’s helicopter helmet, Rolex box, original certificate and receipt.
  • Included with the watch is Captain Sprinkel’s helicopter helmet, Rolex box, original certificate and receipt.
  • License: Media Use
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Film: Ernest Sprinkel Jr. tells the story behind the Rolex watch, which he inherited from his father.
  • Film: Ernest Sprinkel Jr. tells the story behind the Rolex watch, which he inherited from his father.
  • License: Media Use
    The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
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Bruun Rasmussen – Part of the Bonhams Network

"Going once, going twice. Sold to the lady in the front row". For more than 75 years, the auction house Bruun Rasmussen has sold art, antiques, design, jewellery, wristwatches and collector’s items such as wine, books, coins and stamps. After having been family-owned through three generations, we were bought in 2022 by the English auction house Bonhams, which was founded in England in 1793 and is today one of the world's leading auction houses. We are now part of an international network with a global reach, and we present and sell art where it makes the most sense in relation to potential buyers. This also means that through the network we offer more than 60 categories of items at our auctions.

Art and credibility are at the heart of everything we do. The work in the auction house places great demands on our knowledge of art and trends on the market. Our specialists are the most experienced and competent in the industry, and in the Bonhams Network we share knowledge and communicate across national borders with a large number of international specialists. This way, we can provide the best valuation and advice that have become our trademark – and thereby offer the best lots from all categories and achieve the highest hammer prices for the benefit of our customers.

Tradition and innovation go hand in hand. At Bruun Rasmussen, we are one of Europe's most modern and digital auction houses, and it is only natural for us to adapt to changes in the market. Innovation is part of our DNA, while we are also deeply rooted in our history. The foundation of the company rests on our two types of auctions – Online Auction and Live Auction. Every week we put more than a thousand lots up for auction at bruun-rasmussen.dk, and several times a year we present exclusive lots live in our saleroom. We are proud to sell art and design in virtually every category and price range to and for people all over the world who are driven by the same passion as we are.

We want to be a living centre of culture, and since the autumn of 2023, we have been located in Lyngby north of Copenhagen in a new, modern domicile. Here you can not only explore among all the art objects on display and bid on the exciting auctions, you can also meet our specialists, get an estimate on your own items, consign them for auction, listen to exciting lectures and participate in cultural events. We also have branches in Aarhus and Glostrup and regularly go on valuation trips around Denmark and abroad. Our goal is to always be available and for everyone to have a good experience in our auction house.

Welcome to Bruun Rasmussen – we can help you make a good purchase or achieve a great sale!

Bruun Rasmussen – Part of the Bonhams Network
Nørgaardsvej 3
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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