The Greatest Eric Clapton-Owned Watches Sold By Phillips (So Far)

Our first live auctions of the fall 2023 season are here! The PHILLIPS Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII, takes place on November 24 and 25, at our West Kowloon headquarters. The auction includes more than 200 of the world's finest watches – including a Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN gifted to guitarist Eric Clapton, arguably the most influential celebrity watch collector of all time. 

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Eric Clapton operates on a very different plane of existence for watch collectors compared to the average individual.

Where most people might know English guitarist and singer-songwriter for his team with the Yardbirds or Cream, watch collectors appreciate him for an entirely differet set of reasons. He's widely considered to be the most influential celebrity watch collector of all time. 

The Crazy Doc: A Circa 1968 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 In 18k Yellow Gold

Sold for CHF 1,724,000 during the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XV, in May 2022

There are some watches, so elusive and so mythical, that stun even the most seasoned and weary of collectors. Today, the term "important" is used often and sometimes loosely, bordering on hyperbole. Yet, there are instances in which a watch arrives and is so sublime, it is almost impossible to qualify and quantify its beauty. To hold the watch, and to view it with one's very own eyes is to truly understand its exquisite nature. This example is indisputably such a watch. Most probably unique and called "Crazy Doc" in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editore, the present watch is the only known yellow gold reference 6239 with pulsations dial. Having originally been sold in Italy in the 1990s to Eric Clapton himself, the present watch was later offered at the Important Pocket Watches & Wristwatches Featuring Property from the Collection of Eric Clapton sale in New York, 2003.

Watches with a pulsations dial were used for specialists in the medical field, as the pulsometer scale is meant to measure heart beats per minute and can be found on some of Rolex's earliest chronographs, dating from the 1930s and can even be found on rare examples of the reference 6238 “Pre-Daytona.” To utilize the pulsometer scale, a doctor would start the chronograph function, and stop it based on the number of heart beats counted as indicated on the scale, in this particular example 15 (hence, base 15 pulsations). The stopped chronograph hand would indicate the exact number of heart beats per minute on the pulsometer scale, without taking the entire minute.

The most dazzling aspect of the present watch, is of course, the dial. Barely displaying any signs of aging, the pulsations scale is crisp, visible and vivid. Most notably, the "T Swiss T" text have been shifted up to allow space for the pulsations scale, showing how the present dial was a specially-designed configuration. The graphics of the subsidiary registers are white, which is a clear aesthetic departure from other yellow gold examples of the period. The luminous dots are furthermore even and consistent, having aged to a warm yellow tone.

The case is also preserved in excellent condition, with sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and gold marks beneath the lugs. Furthermore, a light layer of oxidation has developed throughout the case, giving it warmth and character. The complexities, nuances and many idiosyncrasies of the Cosmograph Daytona render it one of the most complex, interesting and inspiring models to collect and research. As a result, few watches can elicit emotion and unadulterated joy like this model can. It is not everyday that a timepiece like this appears on the market, and there is no telling when another will ever surface again.

 

The Oyster Albino: A 1971 Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona In Stainless Steel

Sold for CHF 1,325,000 at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: ONE, in May 2015

 

Few vintage collectors watches are so famous that they have a name on their own: “the Duke Ellington 1563”, “ the Bao Dai 6062” , “the platinum J.B. Champion” and the “Oyster 6263 Albino” to name just a few of the best known. What these uber-watches have all in common is their extreme rarity, famous ownership and record- and history-making appearance at auction.

The present Rolex reference 6263 is one of only four known examples of white dialled Cosmographs where the subsidiary dials are not in black with white printing but in the same silver finish as the dial plate. The visual impact is striking and the more a specialist’s eye is trained to see Rolex Daytonas the more he (or she) will believe that they are victims of an optical illusion. It comes as no surprise that the market and scholars have named the all-white Cosmographs “Albino”.

This highly unusual reference 6263 dates to 1971 and has its correct calibre 727 movement but also the correct MK1 pushers and bezel for the period. The earliest years of this watch are unknown, but it is understood that Eric Clapton purchased the watch in the late 1990s. It was then auctioned at Christie’s New York on the 5th of June 2003, as property from the Collection of Eric Clapton. A few years later, at Sotheby’s New York, it smashed the previous world record for any Rolex Cosmographs when selling for 505,000 USD, five times its presale auction estimate.

Without a doubt, there are very few Rolex Cosmographs so prestigious, desirable and valuable as the present “Albino”. We are honoured to have been entrusted with the sale of this iconic wristwatch.

A Circa 2009 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 5004 In Platinum With Blue Dial

Sold for HKD $6,280,000 at the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO, in May 2016

Consigned by a very important collector, the present reference 5004 wristwatch is one of the most charismatic example to have come to auction. The present watch is fitted with a one of a kind special dial displaying the perfect combination of mechanical complexity and dial design. shade of blue is perfectly matching its case metal and the Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock finishes it beautifully. The present watch is in extremely well preserved condition and has only been worn a handful of time. The manufacture of reference 5004 began in 1995 and is today discontinued. The 5004 embodies Patek Philippe's design legacy and the present watch is one of the most important 5004 to have appeared at auction in recent years.

A 2008 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 3970 In 18k White Gold With Salmon Dial

Sold for HKD $3,560,000 at the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: THREE, in November 2016

Consigned by an important and prominent collector, the following three lots are an exceptional set of Patek Philippe wristwatches. Each watch is blessed with an extraordinarily rare dial, displaying a perfect combination of mechanical complexity, dial design and exclusivity. In addition, each watch is unknown to the market and has been kept in close to brand new condition. Commissioned on special request, these tremendous watches are also complete with all original accessories. With striking and amazing good looks, each watch is fitted with a different color dial that perfectly matches their respective case metals. Each dial is also blessed with a tachymetre scale and a Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock. All of these extremely rare and unusual variations are confirmed by their Certificate of Origin and beautifully illustrated on their color portfolio photographs.

To many collectors, references 5004 and 3970 are some of the greatest watches to be manufactured by Patek Philippe. Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo is delighted to have been trusted with their safekeeping and to present them to you at auction.

There are many aspects that make this present white gold 3970 one of the most exclusive available on the market today. The white gold and salmon dial combination transforms the look entirely of this reference. The tachymetre dial with white gold Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock and provenance catapult to the very top of the 3970 tree. In like new condition, the watch is further highlighted by its original accessories.

A 2009 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 5004 In 18k Pink Gold With Black Dial

Sold for HKD $3,140,000 at the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: THREE, in November 2016