Rolex

A compelling artifact from the golden age of Hollywood filmmaking, the present Rolex GMT‑Master is distinguished not only by its enduring design and functionality, but by its direct association with one of the era’s most prolific and influential property masters, Don Nunley. Active throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Nunley was responsible for sourcing and managing the objects that defined the visual language of films such as Le Mans (1971), Semi‑Tough (1977), and Hooper (1978) working closely with many of the period’s most recognizable actors.

Within this context, the present timepiece represents a rare example of a watch that passed through the hands of a central figure behind the scenes of American cinema at a pivotal moment in its history. Property masters such as Nunley played a critical yet often understated role, curating objects that fulfilled practical requirements and contributed to character development. Watches, in particular, held a unique place within this process – serving as subtle but powerful markers of identity, status, and personality on screen.

Purchased directly via Rolex New York by Nunley, the watch carries with it a direct link to this creative environment, offering collectors a tangible connection to the production culture of the time. Nunley retained the watch for decades, passing it on to the current consignor in the early 2000s.

According to the consignor, Nunley indicated that the present watch was acquired with the intention of being worn by Burt Reynolds in Hooper (1978), though it ultimately does not appear in the final cut of the film.