Phillips to Offer Elvis Presley's Omega Wristwatch in May

 

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo,

the Leading Auction House for Highest Quality Watches,

to Offer:

 

Elvis Presley’s Omega Wristwatch,

Retailed by Tiffany & Co.

 

Gifted to the Rock & Roll Icon by RCA Records in 1961

to Commemorate the Sale of 75 Million Records

 

To be Sold During Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN on 12-13 May

 

GENEVA – 16 FEBRUARY 2018 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is proud to announce the sale of a historically important Omega wristwatch, once belonging to Elvis Presley. A highlight of Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN taking place on 12 and 13 May, this exceptional timepiece, which was owned and worn by the rock and roll icon, was gifted to him in 1961 by RCA Records to commemorate his remarkable achievement of having sold 75 million records.

Elvis Presley signed with RCA Records in 1955, launching him into a career as a music phenomenon who electrified millions of attendees at his live performances and sold an unprecedented number of records. Over the course of his lifetime, Elvis had an active role in creating the modern American musical landscape and the development of a unique youth culture. His importance to the inception of rock and roll, and contemporary music as a whole, cannot be overstated. His image has transcended the categories of the music he played and the movies he starred in to become a cornerstone of modern pop culture, with his estate at Graceland remaining a pilgrimage site for fans decades later.

 

1960 was a pivotal moment in Elvis’ career, most notably Christmas of that year. Having steadily released pre-recorded content in anticipation of Elvis’ hiatus between 1958 and 1960 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, RCA Records was eager for him to return to the studio. By Christmas, Elvis had two well-attended movies in theaters, Flaming Star and G.I. Blues, as well as both the number one single in the United States and the United Kingdom with Are You Lonesome Tonight and It’s Now Or Never, respectively. Research suggests that 25 December marked the actual date Elvis reached 75 million records, which, after two years of not having the chance to record, was an incredible feat.

 

Likely the first artist in history to reach this impressive milestone, RCA arranged a celebration charity event and concert on February 25, 1961 not only to award Elvis for such a significant achievement, but also to reestablish Elvis as a performer. Present at the event, the Governor of Tennessee proclaimed the date “Elvis Presley Day,” and the record company presented Presley with a plaque commemorating the 75 million records he had sold worldwide. Accompanying this plaque, which remains at Graceland, RCA Records also gifted Elvis this prestigious, 18-karat white gold and diamond Omega wristwatch, purchased by them at Tiffany & Co – the famed American luxury retailer. The case back of the watch, which will be offered for the first time ever in May, is inscribed, “To Elvis, 75 Million Records, RCA Victor, 12-25-60.”

 

The watch was given to the current owner’s uncle after he had expressed his admiration for Elvis’s watch. Spotting the diamond studded Hamilton the admirer was wearing, Elvis proposed a trade, and they quickly exchanged timepieces. Elvis is well known to have given away watches he purchased or was given, and a small number of these have appeared at auction in the past. No other Elvis Presley-owned watch has been previously offered on the market that marked such a significant achievement in his career as the present lot. The incredible provenance of this historic timepiece is furthermore confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch at the charity concert, as well as certificates of authenticity from the Elvis Presley Museum.

 

The elegant dress watch is cased in 18k white gold, housing a manually-wound Omega calibre 510 stamped with the ‘OXG’ import code for the United States - in accordance with the “Tiffany & Co.” retailer signature beneath “Omega” at 12 o’clock. The bezel is set with forty-four round brilliant diamonds, accenting its vibrant silver dial. The watch will be sold with certificates of authenticity from the Elvis Presley Museum and a book titled “Elvis,” by Dave Marsh, that includes images of Elvis Presley wearing this watch.

 

Phillips is honored to offer this superb vintage Omega with one of the most fascinating provenances to ever appear on the market. This watch, along with other highlights from our Spring Geneva sales, will be on view from 16 to 18 February at Opera Gallery Miami Design District during Watches & Wonders Miami. Further exhibitions to take place around the world will be announced at a later date.

 

Auction: 12-13 May 2018

Location: Hôtel La Réserve, 301 Route de Lausanne, Geneva

 

Exhibition: 16-18 February 2018

Location: Opera Gallery Miami Design District, 140 NE 39th St #239, Miami

ABOUT PHILLIPS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BACS & RUSSO

The team of specialists at Phillips Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service, achieving a sale total of $113 million in 2017 – its second consecutive year as the worldwide market leader in watch auctions.

 A selection of our recent record-breaking prices:

1.         Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894/US$17,752,500) – New York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – ­­­Highest result ever achieved for any wristwatch at auction.

 

2.        Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 /US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction.

 

3.        Patek Philippe reference 2523 (HK$22,300,000 /US$2,856,630) – Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE – 28 November 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any wristwatch sold at auction in Asia

 

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world.  In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.

Visit www.phillips.com for further information.

 

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

 

PRESS CONTACTS: 

GENEVA – Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant                                                                   aponzo@phillips.com                                   +41 79 961 85 66

LONDON - Katie Carder, Press Manager, EMEA                                           kcarder@phillips.com                                  +44 20 7901 7938

NEW YORK – Paul Lerner, PR Consultant                                                          plerner@optimistconsulting.com          +1 917 698 9998

NEW YORK - Jaime Israni, Senior Public Relations Specialist              jisrani@phillips.com                                      +1 212 940 1398