A celebrity's watch is always a topic among enthusiasts. At VIVER, We have also covered Rappers who love Rolex. The more famous the person, The rarer the watch, And the more interesting the story, The more the fame skyrockets. Its true value is usually confirmed at auction. Just like Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona. Isn't this where you can see what watches people truly love? Among celebrity watches, We would like to introduce only those that are truly authentic.

Paul Newman's
Rolex Daytona

It is probably the most famous Rolex without question. At the Phillips auction in October 2017, It was sold for $17 million (about 22 billion KRW), Making it the most expensive Rolex ever discussed to this day.

Paul Newman's Daytona Ref. 6239 ⓒPHILLIPS

Paul Newman was a Hollywood actor and car racer who was prominent in the 1960s. His wife, Joanne Woodward, Worried about her speed-loving husband and gifted him a Daytona Ref. 6239 Exotic Dial, A new Rolex model at the time, With the message 'DRIVE CAREFULLY ME' engraved on the case back. Because Paul Newman always wore this watch during races, The watch also became famous as the 'Paul Newman Daytona'. This is why Daytonas produced from 1963 to the 1980s (Ref. 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265, Especially the Exotic Dial versions) are called by that name.

Paul Newman's second Daytona Ref. 6263 ⓒ Monochrome

The second Daytona Ref. 6263, Gifted by Joanne in 1983, Was also sold at the Phillips auction in 2020 for $5.5 million. It is said that the resale price of the already hard-to-find 'Paul Newman Daytona' has soared to the sky.

007 Author's
Rolex Explorer

Although James Bond in the movies is sponsored by Omega, In the original <007 series> novels, James Bond wore a Rolex. This is because author Ian Fleming projected his own taste onto the main character.

Author Ian Fleming's Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016
ⓒ Bob’s Watches

His watch was the Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016, A watch accurate and robust enough to accompany an Everest expedition, Yet with a simple appearance. From 1953 to the current Ref. 124270, It is a model that has maintained its original design with little change. In the novels, James Bond's Rolex is described as being used as a knuckle duster to break an enemy's jaw, But as the line in the novel says, 'The watch a gentleman chooses says as much about him as his Savile Row suit', It is not hard to imagine the elegant presence it had on the wrist of the charming spy.

Explorer 1 124270

36mm, Black, Oyster

Explorer 40 224270

40mm, Black, Oyster

Andy Warhol's
Cartier Tank

Among the many celebrities who loved the Tank watch, Andy Warhol's affection was special. This pop art master once said, 'I don't wear a Tank to tell the time. I never wind it. I wear a Tank because it's the watch to wear.' This is interpreted to mean that the Tank watch, An icon of Cartier, Is already a work of art in itself.

The Tank loved by Andy Warhol ⓒ GQ

In fact, The Tank can be easily found in many photos of Andy Warhol, But the most impressive is his self-portrait taken with a Polaroid camera in 1970. The main subject of the photo is not Andy Warhol posing in front of a Rococo-style background, But the Tank watch on his wrist. You can see how much he loved the Tank.

Tank Must XL WSTA0040

41mm x 31mm, Silver/Roman/guilloché

Tank Must LM WSTA0041

33.7mm x 25.5mm, Silver

Tank Must SM WSTA0042

29.5mm x 22mm, Silver

Sylvester Stallone's
Panerai

The eternal 'Rocky' and 'Rambo', Sylvester Stallone was a true 'Paneristi' (Panerai enthusiast). He is also famous for introducing Panerai, Which was a local Italian brand, To the world. It is said that he fell in love at first sight with Panerai when he visited Rome for the filming of (1996), And did not take off his Luminor watch until filming ended. He even collaborated with Panerai to create a 'Daylight' limited edition.

Sylvester Stallone wearing Panerai Luminor 5218-201/a
ⓒ Hodinkee

His love was so deep that he spread it to those around him (Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of them). Of course, There is also a theory that all these episodes were part of a carefully planned scenario. However, A few years ago, Sylvester Stallone expressed disappointment with Panerai for not giving any reward for his voluntary promotion, And put the Luminor from up for auction at Phillips. Whatever the truth, He is still an indispensable figure in Panerai's history.

Einstein's
Longines Curvex

Albert Einstein, One of humanity's greatest physicists, Had a deep connection with watches. It is said that he was able to publish five famous papers while working at the patent office because he encountered many ideas related to watch synchronization at the time. Naturally, A watch was always on his wrist. There is a theory that he wore Patek Philippe, But the watch most often seen in his photos is Longines.

Einstein's Longines Curvex ⓒ Maeil Business

It is a typical tonneau watch from the 1930s, And it is said that a rabbi named Edgar Magnin engraved Einstein's name and date and gave it to him as a gift. With sufficient evidence such as photos and newspaper clippings, This watch was sold at Antiquorum New York auction in 2008 for $596, 000 (about 700 million KRW).

General MacArthur's
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

In 2015, A 1930s Reverso watch appeared on the Antiquorum auction list. The rotating case, Designed to protect the dial, Was engraved with the initials 'D MAC A'.

General MacArthur's Reverso ⓒ Google

It was the watch of General Douglas MacArthur, Who served as the Supreme Commander of the UN forces during the Korean War and led the successful Incheon Landing Operation. The general's direct descendants confirmed its authenticity. The estimated auction price was $10, 000 to $20, 000 (about 14 million to 29 million KRW), But Jaeger-LeCoultre purchased it for 87, 000 Swiss francs (about 120 million KRW). It is likely to be displayed at the brand's museum.

John Lennon's
Patek Philippe Ref. 2499

It is a hot topic these days. The once-missing 'Lennon 2499', Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 owned by Beatles member John Lennon, Has resurfaced.

John Lennon's Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 ⓒ Getty images

The Ref. 2499, Which combines a perpetual calendar and chronograph, Is a legendary reference of Patek Philippe with only 349 pieces produced over 35 years. Yoko Ono purchased one at Tiffany & Co. in New York and gave it to John Lennon for his 40th birthday. Just two months later, John Lennon passed away and the whereabouts of the watch became unknown. Recently, It was revealed by Arthur Touchot of Phillips that Yoko Ono's driver stole the watch and secretly sold it to a collector, And after a legal battle, Ownership was recognized for Ono.

Proof of Ono's ownership recognition Instagram ⓒ Arthur_touchot

If this watch appears at auction, It is estimated that the winning bid will be at least $2 million to $4 million (about 2.66 billion to 5.32 billion KRW). Some even say it could approach $40 million (about 53.2 billion KRW). Regardless of the amount, It is certainly one of the most valuable wristwatches on earth.