Auction Exclusive: The Apollo 14 Ocean Recovery Rolex GMT Master

Introducing the Apollo 14 Recovery Mission Rolex GMT Master 1675 private auction, fresh to market from retired Navy pilot Tom Finley.
Learn more: www.bobswatches.com/auctions/...
NAVIGATE THIS VIDEO
00:00 - Apollo 14 Ocean Recovery GMT
00:24 - Welcome with Brandon Frazin
01:10 - Tom Finley Introduction
02:36 - Watches in Service
04:15 - Apollo 14 Ocean Recovery: February 9, 1971
07:57 - Other Historical Items in Auction
09:30 - Why go to Auction?
10:22 - Closing
THE RECOVERY MISSION AND TOM FINLEY’S ROLE
The Apollo 14 mission set off for the Moon on January 31st, 1971, carrying astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell. While there, the crew conducted several important scientific experiments and acquired nearly 100 pounds of Moon rocks to be studied back on Earth.
During this mission, Astronaut Alan Sheppard famously hit two golf balls with a makeshift club across the lunar surface, and the notorious “Moon Tree” seeds were germinated before being brought back to Earth and distributed.
The crew splashed down into the South Pacific Ocean on February 9th, 1971, aboard the famed Kitty Hawk command module approximately 900 miles south of the American Samoa.
Meanwhile, a Navy helicopter carrying co-pilot Tom Finley took off from the nearby USS New Orleans recovery ship to retrieve the astronauts. On his wrist during that historic day was the Pepsi bezel Rolex GMT Master ref 1675 featured in this month’s private auction.
Frogmen from the UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) dove into the water to assist in the recovery of the Apollo 14 crew. While in the water, several pieces of the fabric shrouding the Kitty Hawk to protect it during re-entry, called the “skin,” were retrieved by the divers.
After the recovery, the crew was flown to Pago Pago International Airport in Tafuna, then to Honolulu and Houston for quarantine.
APOLLO 14 RECOVERY ARTIFACTS INCLUDED WITH THE AUCTION
Rolex GMT Master ref 1675:
Tom Finley was a helicopter pilot in the US Navy for 28 years, during which he flew during several special operations missions, including the Apollo 14 recovery mission. He acquired his beloved GMT Master early in his career during shore leave from the USS Kearsarge. His military-issued watch had flooded, and he desperately needed a replacement. The Rolex GMT Master came highly recommended, as did the Artland Watch Co. in Hong Kong, where he purchased his 1675.
He loved the watch so much that he kept the original box and papers and even wrote his name and rank on the bottom of the box, a small detail we love to see in historical pieces such as this Rolex.
G1 Flight Jacket and Patches:
Included with the lot is Finley’s official flight jacket. It is nicely worn in and shows signs of where patches have been replaced over the years. Tom was also gracious enough to include any extra patches associated with the jacket.
Kitty Hawk Skin:
As mentioned previously, UDT divers salvaged pieces of the Kitty Hawk module’s skin as souvenirs. A piece was given to Tom. Although he lost his original piece of Kitty Hawk skin, NASA employees he met while working on the USS Midway in San Diego sent him a replacement, complete with a certification letter. The skin and letter are both included with the lot.
Priceless Photos:
The GMT Master will no doubt capture the attention of many bidders. However, the lot also includes several photos of Tom wearing his beloved GMT and his involvement with the Apollo 14 Recovery mission. These incredible artifacts add to the provenance of the entire lot.
Apollo 14 “The Moon Book” Cruise Book:
Among the many manuals, pamphlets, and documents Tom kept as souvenirs over the years is the Cruise Book from the Apollo 14 mission. The images of Tom near the back of the Book have been marked for reference.
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[@Supercruze]

A true American hero serving our country. Thank you for your service, Sir.

[@douglaskaplan569]

Thank you for your service Captain Finley!

[@anthonystevens8683]

What a fascinating video Brandon. Those items have seen so much with Tom. Hopefully whoever gets them will at some point show them to the public and share the stories that surround them.

[@bobswatches]

Tom's wonderful watch and items are going to find a fantastic new home. We feel honored to have been able to share his story. Thanks for watching!

[@nybe]

Don't sell that watch, Captain Tom!

[@Kbo513]

Kind of sad that none of his sons wanted to own his keepsakes. That’s a nice GMT to own.

[@bobswatches]

Only good things here. Tom is excited for someone to give it a new home who cherishes the history it helped create.

[@camarocarl7130]

One of those good things is a lot of cash no doubt.@@bobswatches

[@jason042779]

Great story. Helluva guy!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Great video guys and Brandon good job my man 👏 ! That GMT is stunning ❤

[@bobswatches]

Appreciate the support! This watch is truly wonderful is so many ways.

[@joshuachew22]

Great video, more like this please!

[@bobswatches]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

Impressive piece of history, good luck on the auction! 🚀

[@baconandbezels6992]

Wow, amazing story and an amazing watch. I can’t imagine not wanting these items.

[@bobswatches]

So glad you enjoyed hearing Tom's story and seeing all the wonderful items he's saved over the years.

[@bobswatches]

Happy you liked it!

[@phmwu7368]

In fact Apollo 14 astronauts Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell and Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa were also wearing their personal Rolex GMT-master 1675 pilot watch, besides their NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster chronograph. Already in April 1970, during Apollo 13, CMP John Jack Swigert wore his Rolex GMT-master 1675 to lunar orbit ! #MoonwatchUniverse

[@bobswatches]

It's true! Tom spoke candidly about seeing some of the Astronauts wearing their own Rolex GMT-Master watches.

[@rsfan9296]

Great video. Can’t believe the kids didn’t want the watch and jacket!

[@camarocarl7130]

Sounds like he would rather sell them IMHO. Doubt he even asked them. Sounds fishy, like they are not really related to the Apollo recovery-who would wear a leather flight jacket in the South Pacific and that patch can be made in any Asian sweat shop in 5 min, plus when did he buy that watch? Easy to say this watch was worn during Apollo recovery, how about a date of sale ? Just sounds fishy.

[@undermuscled7381]

I cant believe family dont want these heirlooms

[@camarocarl7130]

That is what he says. He just wants some cash. He is looking at property in La Jolla and is way too short on just Navy retirement pay. I bet he never even asked them. No proof whatsoever he wore that watch during Apollo recovery.

[@robotstobor3388]

@@camarocarl7130 you make some very good points. I can tell you my kids are hounding me for my Submariner

[@ListenToPowerViolence]

I'll buy it for 9K.

[@bobswatches]

bids are climbing!

[@afiktori5217]

Who wouldn't want a naturally patina-ed 1970s Rolex Pepsi GMT along with the flight jacket that was worn with it. These are the experiences and stories that made Rolex the brand it is today. Shame on those kids!

[@phmwu7368]

In fact Apollo 14 astronauts Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell and Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa were also wearing their personal Rolex GMT-master 1675 pilot watch, besides their NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster chronograph. Already in April 1970, during Apollo 13, CMP John Jack Swigert wore his Rolex GMT-master 1675 to lunar orbit ! #MoonwatchUniverse

[@bobswatches]

It is such a treat to share Tom's story with the world! He's simply looking forward to someone enjoying the watch and jacket for many more years to come.

[@camarocarl7130]

Do you honestly think his kids don't want those? I doubt seriously he even asked them. The market is flooded with vets trying to make a profit on everyday items unfortunately.

[@afiktori5217]

@@camarocarl7130 I hope that's not true. if it is that's really really sad

[@camarocarl7130]

He loves them so much-that's why he is selling them.

[@bobswatches]

Good question. Tom is adamant about wanting these treasures to find a new home that cherishes them as much as he does.

[@camarocarl7130]

Sounds like he will cherish the cash he makes a lot more.@@bobswatches

[@RHelenius]

lol... imagine paying money for this provenance. Can I sell someone some sand from the Iraq Invasion?

[@camarocarl7130]

That jacket looks brand new, you can get any patch you want custom made in the far east, plus who knows when he bought that watch, he is trying to bump up the price. Thinking about selling my desert boots on e bay. They were worn in Iraq too.