The Rolex GMT-Master has earned its place in horological history not only for its innovative design but also for its remarkable role in significant space missions. Astronaut Stuart A. Roosa famously wore his GMT-Master during the Apollo 14 mission. However, another GMT-Master played a critical role in the successful return of Apollo 13, worn by astronaut Jack Swigert.
The Apollo 13 Connection
Swigert was a last-minute replacement for the original command module pilot, Ken Mattingly, who was grounded due to exposure to rubella. As preparations for the mission ramped up, Swigert’s GMT-Master—his personal good luck charm—was a silent but crucial companion.
On April 17, 1970, the capsule with Swigert and his crew splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Fiji. The GMT-Master, though slightly cracked, emerged from the ordeal alongside Swigert. Today, this historic watch resides in Geneva, accompanied by a note to then-Rolex director René-Paul Jeanneret and a signed photo of the Apollo 13 splashdown.
The GMT-Master’s Evolution
Since its introduction in 1955, the GMT-Master has been synonymous with long-distance travel, thanks to its dedicated 24-hour hand and rotatable two-tone bezel. These features were pivotal as global travel became more prevalent, and the GMT-Master’s ability to display two time zones at a glance was highly valued.
Rolex’s partnership with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) cemented the GMT-Master’s reputation as the official watch of the leading American intercontinental airline. In 1959, the GMT-Master was instrumental in Pan Am’s first non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Moscow. Captain C. N. Warren, who used his GMT-Master as a navigation tool, piloted the Boeing 707, which also carried journalists covering Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to the Soviet Union.
That same year, the GMT-Master was worn by members of the British Army’s Pegasus Overland expedition, who traversed 34 countries in off-road vehicles over 51 weeks. Additionally, Rolex collaborated with NASA and the US Air Force on the X-15 research program, which tested pilots’ endurance in hypersonic flight. On October 3, 1967, William J. Knight achieved the highest speed ever recorded—7,274 km/h—while wearing his GMT-Master.
Modern Advancements
The GMT-Master has undergone several significant updates since its inception. In 1982, Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II, featuring a new calibre that allowed the hour hand to be adjusted independently. This update ensured the watch’s relevance and functionality in a modern world.
The bezel material evolved from Plexiglas to aluminum in 1959, and later to high-tech Cerachrom ceramic in 2005. Cerachrom, introduced by Rolex as a virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant material, has become a hallmark of the GMT-Master II.
In 2018, Rolex introduced the calibre 3285, equipped with the innovative Chronergy escapement. This movement, resistant to strong magnetic fields and equipped with a blue Parachrom hairspring and Rolex overcoil, ensures precise timekeeping regardless of the watch’s position.
As the GMT-Master prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, its legacy continues to captivate horology enthusiasts, collectors, and purists alike. The incredible feats achieved by its wearers—like Swigert’s dramatic return to Earth—highlight the timeless allure and extraordinary history of the Rolex GMT-Master.
