Vintage Omega Watch Owned By Elvis Presley Up For Auction
Diehard Elvis fans will soon get the chance to own a piece of rock 'n' roll history. The King's watch is going up for sale.
So Crazy It's True
A legendary story surrounding Presley finds him strolling into a cocktail lounge at the Sahara, in Las Vegas, in the early sixties and convincing a stranger to trade watches with him. Naturally, both men were wearing diamond-encrusted, hugely expensive timepieces — the King wasn't looking to swap for a standard-issue Casio.
The funny thing is, this story is 100% true. It happened, for real, and it wasn't the only time, either. Now, 50 years later, one of the watches in question is up for grabs.
The vintage Omega bought at Tiffany & Co. in 1961 is due to be auctioned by Phillips in Geneva this coming May 12. Rather than being just any old watch brandished on the wrist of the King, it's a proper milestone piece.
The story behind it is pretty legendary, too. Record company executives presented it to Presley to celebrate a massive 75 million records sold.
Paul Boutros, Senior VP and Head of Watches for the Americas for Phillips, noted how the gift commemorated a huge moment in Presley's life and career.
"This was a big moment in Elvis' life, and this watch celebrates that. He had just been discharged from the Army, which had drafted him at the peak of his career, and even though he was out of the limelight, his records were still selling like crazy," he enthused.
It's certainly an eye-catching piece, a trophy for Presley to wear on his wrist and constantly remind himself of his massive achievement. Crafted in 18-karat white gold, the watch has 44 round diamonds on its bezel and is marked with the iconic Tiffany's stamp, adding to its elegance.
An Eye-catching Timepiece
Boutros considers the watch among the most elegant pieces Phillips has ever carried. For watch-hunters, the aspirational piece of jewelry will be on display this coming weekend, at Watches & Wonders in Miami, along with other select pieces from the upcoming auction.
The watch is being consigned by the nephew of the same man who traded his Hamilton timepiece for Presley's Omega all those years ago in the Sahara, adding to its super-fan value.
It's still in great condition, too, Boutros notes.
"The watch has hardly been worn over the years; it's in excellent condition and, given the crispness of the engravings on the case back, doesn't look like it's been polished," he explained.
The nephew apparently approached Phillips following their successful, and similarly-themed, Paul Newman Daytona auction last October. He chose them as he didn't feel other houses understood the value of the watch or the importance of the history behind it.
Phillips estimates the watch will go for anything from $50,000 to $100,000 in Geneva. The purchaser will also receive a certificate of authenticity from the Elvis Presley Museum at Graceland, as well as a book, entitled Elvis, which includes photos of Presley wearing the piece.
Although it's likely there are hundreds of watches scattered around that Presley traded for over the years, it's unlikely another will draw the same level of interest as the Omega. Aside from being simply a stunning piece of jewelry, the story behind it and its connection to the King are undeniable.
