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Geneva, Switzerland--A remarkable piece of Hollywood history, Marlon Brando's Rolex GMT-Master, famed for its appearance in the classic film "Apocalypse Now," has become the center of a legal controversy following its recent sale at Christie's. Initially fetching over $5 million, this sale is now in jeopardy due to a civil lawsuit.

[Representative image via Pexels]

The watch is notable for its cinematic pedigree and its unique features, including an engraving of Brando's name, a modification the actor made himself. Its removal from the auction market arose from a complaint by Mohammed Zaman, an Omani businessman and avid watch collector whose collection included this rare timepiece.

Per a report published in Business Insider, Zaman, who has been amassing luxury watches for approximately 45 years, auctioned 113 watches from his collection in November, garnering over $42 million. However, the transaction involving Brando's watch has been suspended following Zaman's legal action in Geneva, the specifics of which remain unclear. Per the outlet, Bloomberg reports that Christie's has advised the winning bidders to halt payments until the resolution of the legal issue.

The Rolex's historical significance is linked to its appearance in "Apocalypse Now," where Brando, in his role as Col. Walter E. Kurtz, wore the watch. Its notable features include Brando's own engraving and the absence of a bezel, a change the actor made after a suggestion from the film's production crew. This distinctive backstory contributes to the watch's value.

The watch, believed lost for years, resurfaced in 2019 when Petra Brando Fischer, the actor's daughter, auctioned it at Phillips. Brando originally gave Petra the watch as a graduation gift in 1995.

This legal entanglement adds another chapter to the storied history of Brando's Rolex, intertwining legal drama with cinematic legend.

Learn more about it in the entire report in Business Insider.