Sotheby's : Sylvester Stallone's Watch Collection Sells for $6.7 Million

Watches from the collection of Academy Award-winning actor, writer, producer and director Sylvester Stallone achieve $6.7 million, with 100% of lots sold. The crown jewel of the collection, The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime soars to $5.4 million after four minute bidding battle. 

The sale of the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime was an unrepeatable celebration, not only of a masterpiece by the most revered Swiss-watchmakers of technical excellence, but also of the legendary icon that is Sylvester Stallone, who has been a deeply influential and admired collector for many decades. To feel the pulse of collectors racing with excitement in pursuit of absolute top caliber material was tremendous, and an homage to the art of collecting at the highest level.” Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s Head of Watches, Americas.

NEW YORK, 5 June 2024 – Kicking off Sotheby’s flagship sale of Important Watches today in New York, just moments ago Sylvester Stallone’s coveted masterpiece of haute horology – The Patek Philippe Reference 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime – sold for an astounding $5.4 million (est. $2.5/5 million). The legendary timepiece was one of eleven watches from the personal collection of the iconic actor, screenwriter, director and producer, which together realized a total of $6.7 million, exceeding its high estimate of $6 million, with every one of the watches offered finding a new home. 

The sale of the collection attracted more than 200 bidders, drawn, no doubt, by the allure of the property and the exceptional provenance. At the same time, the density of bidders tallies with a pronounced trend seen in Sotheby’s sales since the introduction of its new buyer’s premium rates on 20 May. The attractive reduced premium, the lowest across the international auction houses, has already translated into increased levels of bidding from existing and new clients, with recent sales of both Old Masters and 19th Century paintings having seen record numbers of bidders. In a similar vein, today’s sale saw nearly a third of new registered participants compared to the same sale last year. 

In a buzzing saleroom with more than 100 attendees, the hammer fell on the Grandmaster Chime following a back-and-forth bidding battle that lasted four minutes between a total of five bidders, with the watch going to a private Asian collector. Appearing today as the first example to ever appear at auction*, the prized jewel of the Stallone collection becomes the third most valuable wristwatch sold in Sotheby’s history, and the highest price achieved for any modern watch sold at Sotheby’s. 

As the most complicated wristwatch made by the brand, the Reference 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime is widely considered a ‘holy grail’ amongst the watch community. Originally unveiled by Patek Philippe in 2014 to commemorate its 175th anniversary, the Grandmaster Chime swiftly garnered acclaim for its groundbreaking design and intricate complications. Initiated by Philippe Stern in 2007, this ambitious project aimed to create the most intricate wristwatch in Patek Philippe's history, honoring its illustrious heritage since 1839. The Grandmaster Chime Ref 5175, featuring a distinctive hand-engraved case, stole the spotlight among the commemorative timepieces presented on this momentous occasion. Originally launched as a limited edition, it later joined the permanent collection in 2016 as the Reference 6300, marking the introduction of the company's most complex and first grande-sonnerie wristwatch ever added to the company’s current collection. 

Made with a reversible white gold case adorned with Patek Philippe's signature hobnail pattern, the development, production, and assembly spanned an astounding 100,000 hours. With a total of twenty complications, including five chiming modes, a reversible case, two independent dials, and six patented innovations, the Grandmaster Chime epitomizes horological excellence. Central to the Grandmaster Chime's twenty complications are the five chiming mechanisms, notably the Grande Sonnerie as the pièce de résistance, and a groundbreaking date repeater controlled by the perpetual calendar, which audibly indicates the date. Additionally, an alarm feature strikes the time upon activation. To ensure optimal legibility, the watch is designed with two faces: one focusing on timekeeping and sonnerie, and the other dedicated to the instantaneous perpetual calendar. A patented invisible reversing mechanism facilitates effortless rotation of the case, allowing seamless transition between dials.

The watch is accompanied by a grand presentation box engraved with Stallone's name and a Grandmaster Chime book bearing his name on the cover and inside cover. 

Collectors demonstrated their appreciation for Stallone’s collection, consisting of notable timepieces from prestigious brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Piaget – as well as unique and screen-worn watches from Panerai. The white-glove collection attracted bidders beyond the saleroom, with six out of the eleven timepieces sold online. Additionally, all but one lot from the collection sold above their pre-sale high-estimates (est. $3 - 6 million). 

Standout results

The highly sought-after ‘olive-green’ Patek Philippe reference 5711/1300A001 with a baguette diamond-set bezel sold for $492,000 after a five-minute battle between six bidders, eventually selling to Geoff Hess, Head of Sotheby’s Watches, Americas (est. $200,000 - 400,000). 

Created specifically for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2022, Stallone’s impressive Audemars Piguet Reference 26730OR.OO.1320OR.01 Royal Oak Tourbillon sold for $228,000 after being chased by clients over the phone, in the room and online (est. $100,000 - 200,000). 

Stallone’s screen-used Panerai ‘Bronzo’ from “The Expendables 2” achieved $96,000, selling to an online buyer. Displaying the age and patina of its extreme use during the filming of that action-packed motion picture,  the ‘Bronzo’ is further distinguished by being watch 0000/1000 – suggesting it is perhaps a prototype, or the first ever produced (est. $30,000 - 60,000).

For more auction results, please visit sothebys.com