Eric Clapton is a guitar legend, known to have a passion for fine art, automobiles and wristwatches. He is an astute collector of Rolex and Patek Philippe. The only Patek Philippe 2499 in Platinum in private hands previously owned by EC, sold for over $3 Million US Dollars. At the upcoming Sotheby’s sale on May 13 in Geneva, Lot 200 features a special Patek Philippe 5970 previously owned by Slowhand.
The Patek Philippe 5970 is held in very high regard by collectors. Why? It features two complications that collectors love to see together. The perpetual calendar and chronograph. From the 1518 to the current generation 5270 it is a wristwatch that has stood out for its design and overall finishing.
We know Eric Clapton likes the Patek Philippe 5970, since he was photographed wearing one while attending a Formula One race. What was special about that piece? The dial of the watch, had Arabic numerals instead of baton indexes.
Eric Clapton with a Patek Philippe 5970 featuring a dial with Breguet numerals. Picture (C) Mark Thompson/ Getty Images Europe
Lot 200 of the Sotheby’s sale is a Patek Philippe 5970 in pink gold. On the Certificate is the name Eric Clapton. This watch has gold Arabic numerals, giving it a different look to the original dial.
The Patek Philippe 5970 in pink gold with Breguet numerals previously owned by Eric Clapton. Picture (C) Sothebys
The other interesting feature of this wristwatch? The solid 18k pink gold link bracelet that comes with it. The watch stands out from its brothers on their leather straps. The gold bracelet would also add some heft to the overall weight of the watch.
The 18k pink gold bracelet that also comes with the watch, giving the 5970 a completely different look. Picture (C) Sothebys
The estimate on the watch is $120,000 — $220,000 Swiss Francs. Could it go for a higher amount? It certainly is possible with the very unique dial, the gold bracelet and the fact it was previously owned by Eric Clapton.
The Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction will be held on the 13th of May in Geneva, Switzerland. Lot 200, the Patek Philippe 5970 previously owned by Eric Clapton will be in Session 2 at starting at 2:30 PM CEST
A FINE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE PINK GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON-PHASES, BREGUET NUMERALS AND BRACELET REF 5970 MVT 3048248 CASE 4365922 MADE IN 2006
• cal. 27-70Q manual winding nickel-finished lever movement, stamped with the seal of Geneva, 24 jewels, Gyromax balance • silvered dial, applied gold Breguet numerals and baton indexes, outer minute track, gold feuille hands, aperture for day and month, subsidiary dials for 30-minute combined with leap-year indication and constant seconds combined with 24-hour indication, moon-phases combined with date, outermost tachometer scale • 18k pink gold case, scooped bezel, polished case, sapphire crystal screw-down case back • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k pink gold Patek Philippe double deployant buckle, brick link bracelet
diameter 40 mm
