First, a disclaimer: We have no idea what GWS Auctions is, and their website, to put it mildly, is kind of terrible looking. But it does appear to be a legitimate business.
And so it stands to reason that the online auction they’re holding for a Rolex Datejust that belonged to Marlon Brando is also legit.
According to the auction company’s description, the watch was given to Brando in 1973, after he won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Accordingly, and somewhat awkwardly, the back of the watch features two engravings: “Vito’s” in large script in the center, and “MB” in block letters below it.
The watch itself is handsome but not particularly special as far as Rolexes go. It’s a 31mm steel Datejust with a cream dial, a fluted bezel and a cyclops date window. It’s on a black leather strap that does not appear to be original.
In 1976, Brando reportedly gave the watch to designer Patricia Norris, thinking it would fit her wrist better than his. No surprise there, given the watch’s dimensions — small even by today’s vintage-obsessed standards.
Bidding for the item started at a more-than-reasonable $1,000 and as of this writing is up to $4,250.
Should you be interested in getting your hands on a watch Marlon Brando briefly owned but then didn’t care enough about not to sell, register here to place your bid.
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