Sir Elton John’s watch collection to be auctioned in NYC

Sir Elton John with some of his watches

Pic courtesy of Getty Images: Gabe Conte

Even today, there’s no one quite like Sir Elton John. A trailblazer in his own right, he’s not just celebrated for his musical genius but known for his distinct style and love for life’s luxuries.

Coming up on February 22, a special event is set to take place in New York, where 31 of his exceptional timepieces will go under the hammer at Christie’s. This collection boasts some of the most prestigious names in the watchmaking world, including Chopard, Rolex, A Lange & Sohne, Roger Dubuis, and Cartier, among others. Below, I’ve picked five watches from this collection that caught my eye, in no particular order, to give you a taste of this extraordinary auction! Just a note to those who have more conservative and classic taste in watches, this collection may not be your cup of tea because some of them are really out there, but that’s what makes watches so interesting, each an expression of individual taste!

Lot 325
CHOPARD. A PIECE UNIQUE 18K WHITE GOLD
AND DIAMOND SET AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH
WRISTWATCH WITH DATE
SIGNED CHOPARD. ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION PIECE
UNIQUE MODEL. REF. 1279, CASE NO. 1753500, CIRCA 2010S
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Black
Case: 45 X 71 mm. overall length
With: 18k white gold and diamond-set Chopard buckle
Auction estimate-$10,000-15,000

I’ve always had a thing for skulls, and lately, I’ve been getting into watches with blue dials and chronographs. There’s an undeniable artistry and craftsmanship in how diamonds are meticulously set on these pieces. It’s a design that really stands out – you probably haven’t seen anything quite like it. Even though I wouldn’t necessarily buy it myself, regardless of the price, it’s definitely a watch that commands attention and sparks a reaction, for better or worse!

Lot 922
CARTIER, PARIS TONNEAU, A VERY RARE PLATINUM
TONNEAU SHAPED WRISTWATCH
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum
CASE DIAMETER: 26 mm. X 46 mm.
CASE NO’: A111045
DIAL: White Guilloché
MOVEMENT: Manual
BOX: No
PAPERS: No
ACCESSORIES: Cartier 18k White Gold Deployant Clasp, Travel
Pouch
Please note the strap is shown for display purposes only and is
not for sale. Upon sale, the watch will be supplied to the buyer on
a calf leather strap.
Auction estimate-$12,000-18,000

Cartier, renowned for their iconic Tank watch, has seldom ventured into the tonneau shape in the last two decades. What sets this particular piece apart is not just its distinctive case shape but also its construction from platinum, adding an extra layer of prestige. Plus I like that it’s one of the few watches from “Mr Rocket Man’s” collection that’s doesn’t have diamonds.

Lot 397
VACHERON CONSTANTIN. AN 18K WHITE GOLD AND
DIAMOND-SET RECTANGULAR WRISTWATCH WITH
CONCEALED DIAL
SIGNED VACHERON CONSTANTIN, GENEVE, LES
HISTORIQUES JALOUSIE SHUTTER MODEL, REF.
91002/000G-8, CASE NO. 674’942
Movement: Manual
Dial: White
Case: 25 X 40 mm. overall length
With: 18k white gold Vacheron Constantin double deployant clasp
$10,000-15,000

Vacheron Constantin undoubtedly ranks among the pinnacle in luxury watchmaking, celebrated for its exquisite movements, finishing, and rich history. This model, crafted between 1993 and 1997, stands out for its limited production and serves as a tribute to the brand’s illustrious heritage. An elegant silver textured dial, adorned with applied white gold markers, steel blued hands, and a sub-seconds hand, is cleverly concealed and can be unveiled by sliding the cabochon sapphire switch at the six o’clock position to the right. While I do prefer the version without diamonds, in this instance, the diamonds enhance the watch’s elegance and refinement, making it suitable for both men and women.

Lot 400
AUDEMARS PIGUET. AN 18K WHITE GOLD AND
SAPPHIRE SET QUARTZ WRISTWATCH WITH BLUE
MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL AND DATE
SIGNED AUDEMARS PIGUET, 33 MM. ROYAL OAK MODEL,
CASE NO. D40651, NO. 107, CIRCA 1990S
Movement: Quartz
Dial: Mother of Pearl, diamond and sapphire-set
Case: 33 mm. diam.
With: 18k white gold Audemars Piguet bracelet and deployant clasp,
overall length approximately 190 mm.
$10,000-15,000

In my view, an AP Royal Oak is a must-have for any guy’s collection, hands down. Since its debut in 1972, this watch has climbed to the top of the luxury sports watch game and hasn’t slowed down since. Now, I’m usually not one for precious stones, but the combo of a mother of pearl dial decked out in diamonds and sapphires, plus a sapphire-set bezel, really knocks it out of the park. It adds just the right splash of color and contrast to shake up the usual black-and-white vibe of its brushed white gold case and bracelet.

Lot 12
CARTIER. A HIGHLY DESIRABLE AND RARE
18K GOLD LIMITED EDITION ASYMMETRICAL
WRISTWATCH WITH ‘CRASH’ DEPLOYANT CLASP
SIGNED CARTIER, PARIS, ‘CRASH’ MODEL, CASE NO.
A108446, NO. 150/400, CIRCA 1991
Movement: Manual
Dial: Silvered
Case: 24 mm. wide, 39 mm. overall length
With: 18k gold Cartier asymmetrical deployant clasp
Remark: Limited edition of 400 pieces
$70,000-100,000

I saved the best for last with this exquisite Cartier Crash! Looking like something surreal from a Salvador Dali painting, this watch has become a cult favorite amongst collectors. Only 400 example of this watch were produced in 1991 and this one being very well preserved adds to how rare a collectible it really is! To see the rest of Sir Elton’s collection up for auction, click HERE.

All watch pics provided by Christie’s