Engraving a watch has zero functional value. It’s a highly personal move that’s made with the heart not the head – indeed many would argue that it’ll invariably harm a watch’s re-sale value. Unless, of course, you happen to be wildly famous. In such cases, a star-studded form of alchemy takes place with the engraving adding an extra layer of intimacy, effectively turning the watch into something akin to a horological autograph. These are some of the most famous examples that break all the standard rules of engraving and show yet again that if you’re rich and famous enough, you can do whatever the hell you like. Marlon Brando’s DIY customisation Marlon Brando wasn’t easy to work with on the set of Apocalypse Now. He showed up on location in the Philippines having ballooned to over 135kg so all his costumes had to be ditched (Francis Ford Coppola was expecting Brando to play a fighting-fit military man). Brando further annoyed the wardrobe department by insisting on wearing his Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675. When a member of the film crew gently suggested the watch did not fit with his role as Colonel Kurtz, Brando refused to remove it. “If they’re looking at…
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