Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: NoArtist
    Year: Circa 1930s; Circa 1920s
    Movement No: The first: 34’608; The second: 26’716’397
    Case No: The first: 234’660; The second: 11’688 and 54
    Material: Both: 14K white gold
    Calibre: Both: Manual, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: The first: with associated metal chain
    Dimensions: The first: 42mm; The second: 44.5mm Diameter
    Signed: The first: Case, dial, and movement signed Howard, chain unsigned; The second: Case, dial, and movement signed Elgin.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Bob Gruen 1972 photo of Andy Warhol and John Lennon and original catalogues of respective estate sales.
    Provenance: The first: Lot 257, "Property from the Collection of John Lennon and Yoko Ono," Sale 5197, Sotheby's, New York, June 23, 1984
    The second: “The Andy Warhol Collection Vol. II: Collectibles, Jewelry, Furniture, Decoration, and Paintings”, Sotheby's, New York, 24-26 April 1988.

  • Provenance

    The first: Lot 257, "Property from the Collection of John Lennon and Yoko Ono," Sale 5197, Sotheby's, New York, June 23, 1984
    The second: “The Andy Warhol Collection Vol. II: Collectibles, Jewelry, Furniture, Decoration, and Paintings”, Sotheby's, New York, 24-26 April 1988.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Phillips is thrilled to offer two white gold American pocket watches with extraordinary provenance. Each first came to market from the estates of two of the most important names
    in music and art. Two titans of 20th century cultural history, John Lennon and Andy Warhol, were at very the top of their respective fields. They would become close friends, spending considerable time together in New York City throughout the 1970s. They were captured together, meeting on April 13, 1972 at the Record Plant in New York City. Photographed by one of the great documentarians of rock ‘n’ roll history, Bob Gruen, this image would captivate the consignor of the present lot, inspiring him to track down and unite these two pocket watches, now being offered together as one lot - a fitting tribute to these two iconic figures.

    John Lennon & Watches
    When discussing John Lennon and the world of watches, one typically does not associate Boston-based E. Howard Watch Co. with the legendary Beatle. More often, Lennon’s name comes
    up in conjunction with one of the enduring legends of watch collecting - a Patek Philippe reference 2499/100 rumored to have been presented to him on his 40th birthday, months before his untimely death, by his wife Yoko Ono. Otherwise, Lennon was rarely ever photographed wearing a watch, his most visible adornment being his signature wire-rimmed round spectacles. Shortly after his untimely passing, Ono placed a few cherished objects for sale at auction in June 1984, with the intention of raising charitable funds – the rest of their beloved possessions would be held by the family or placed in a museum. The present Howard pocket watch was the only men’s timepiece included in the auction, and is therefore the only men’s timepiece with “John Lennon” provenance to ever be offered for sale.

    Andy Warhol & Watches
    Quite the opposite of Lennon, Andy Warhol was known to own hundreds of watches in his lifetime, having been photographed wearing a wide array of manufactures and styles. He was known to hang his watches in a canopy over his bed, and was captivated by the aesthetics and stylistic impact of his timepieces. Originally offered as part of The Andy Warhol Collection Vol. II auction in April 1988, this 14 karat white gold Elgin features an elaborately engraved inside caseback with a floral scroll motif, which is repeated around the delicate case band. Both watches share elongated, Art Deco-style numerals and two-toned silvered dials.

    With superb provenance, these two pocket watches were first sold at their respective owner’s estate auctions: the Howard pocket watch sold in 1984 and the Elgin originally sold in 1988, four years and one year after their respective owners’ passing. Offered together here for the first time, it’s difficult to overstate the impact on art, music, and politics these two men had on the world. Both ahead of their time, and gone before their time, their legacies continue to endure through to the present day.
    A portion of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit, charity organization, Give Peace a Chance.

138

Former Property of John Lennon & Andy Warhol: A pair of very rare and culturally significant 14K white gold pocket watches

Circa 1930s; Circa 1920s
The first: 42mm; The second: 44.5mm Diameter
The first: Case, dial, and movement signed Howard, chain unsigned; The second: Case, dial, and movement signed Elgin.

Estimate
$20,000 - 40,000 
CHF18,100-36,300
€16,800-33,500
HK$155,000-310,000

Sold for $50,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020