You've probably noticed a significant uptick in media reporting in recent times about who's wearing what watch, but it's not a new trend. British singer/songwriter Eric Clapton began accumulating rare Rolexes and vintage Patek Philippes well before it was fashionable to do so, demonstrating both impeccable taste and impressive foresight. He has acted as a serious connoisseur rather than just a celebrity enthusiast, often acquiring and later selling highly coveted timepieces, including prototypes and rare custom models. He slowly began liquidating his collection in the early 2000s, selling off timepieces privately and at auction. A Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Platinum is widely considered to have been the holy grail of his collection. It's one of only two platinum examples of this reference ever made, with the other remaining in the Patek Philippe Museum. He sold this watch for approximately $3.5 million in 2012. Two more will go under the gavel at Phillips New York this summer. The first is a neo-vintage Patek Philippe, which is expected to fetch $1.4 million at the upcoming auction. The sale also includes a Patek Philippe Nautilus “Jumbo” that was sold to Clapton in 2018. It was discontinued in 2021, making it especially coveted among collectors. As such, it’s expected to sell for around $140,000.
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| Neo-vintage Patek Philippe |
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| Patek Philippe Nautilus “Jumbo” |
