Andy Warhol’s Classic Patek Phillippe Watch Is Up for Grabs
Like its former owner, this watch really pops.
The king of pop art, Andy Warhol, ran with some rather eccentric characters. Standing out amongst the avant-garde scenesters of the Factory required serious style prowess. While Warhol took sartorial gambles with his leather biker jackets and square sunglasses, he kept his watch game classy and minimal.
Case in point, the folks at Christie’s Action House recently got their hands on a Patek Philippe worn by the former dean of downtown Manhattan nightlife, and it’s a surprisingly sophisticated timepiece.
Warhol favored the Patek Philippe, Ref. 2503, circa 1952. It’s a textbook dress watch with a slim, rectangular shape, a yellow-gold case, and a black-calf leather strap. But, in typical Warholian fashion, there are some quirky add-ons. The oversized “bunny ear lugs” on the edges really showcases this watch’s high style.
While the snazzy design holds court, this is also a great, ticking timepiece. The watch works with Patek Philippe’s manually wound Cal. 9-90 caliber, and its 18-jewel movement beats 19,800 vibrations every hour. Many forget that Warhol had also amassed an enviable collection of over 300 watches, so you can trust he wore only the best.
Christie’s is putting this up for grabs as part of an online auction, which also counts some Rolex sport watches and vintage Longines watches, among others. Below, check out some of our favorite lots:
The auction ends on April 5, so make your move. Time is ticking.