LOT #43271 |
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John F. Kennedy: Watch Worn While President. ...
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Sold on Nov 13, 2023 for:
$15,000.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
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Description
John F. Kennedy: Watch Worn While President. A 14-karat gold Tourist Everlight wristwatch manufactured by Swiss watchmaker Adolf Alleman. The face measures 1.5" in diameter and there is a hand-engraved inscription on the back of the watch face that reads, "TO YOUR PRESIDENCY IN PEACE AND FREEDOM Nov 8th 1960." The wristband currently on the watch is 8" long and is a replacement made by a previous collector. The original band is included and can be switched back for historical correctness. It is accompanied by a letter from Kennedy's personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, that reads, in part, "The President wore this watch (as you can see from the wrist band) until one day he forgot to remove it before taking a dip in the Pool. The watch face became disfigured from the water, whereupon he discarded it." Stored in a blue velvet case.Although Lincoln offers a plausible explanation for the stain on the watch face, accompanying research suggests that the damage occurred due to a unique feature on the timepiece in which a small button on the side of the watch turned on a light bulb above twelve o'clock. In doing so, it illuminated the watch face. In addition to this explanation, this lot includes extensive research on the watch's development and usage. Because of its included lightbulb, the Tourist Everlight was the first and only non-LED watch that illuminated both the watch face and its calendar at night. It is likely that Kennedy enjoyed this watch for this very reason.
Condition: Chemical stain on the watch face and the gold is tarnished. Slight rusting to the side buttons. The original wristband is well-worn.
Auction Info
2023 November 13 - 14 Americana & Political Signature Auction Signature® Auction #6276 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2023
13th-14th
Monday-Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 691
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