Sotheby’s led their Important Watches auction with some remarkable Sylvester Stallone watches. Here’s what happened and why it matters.
I have an interesting relationship with Sylvester Stallone. Okay, it isn’t a direct relationship. But while I was at TASCHEN, we started working with him on his Rocky Art Edition publication. Then, when I moved to New York and joined Sotheby’s, we started selling his watches.
The masses may not know this, but he has a deep relationship with art and aesthetics. He does direct, after all. The prior-mentioned publication even comes with a print of a painting Stallone made himself.
It’s no surprise that he’d have a remarkable collection of watches. A set of eleven was among the highlights of Sotheby’s May Important Watches auction.
And in two sessions, they bobbed and weaved their way into victory.
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The Auction
The Important Watches Auction happens at Sotheby’s during something we call Luxury Week. It’s when high-end brands and boutiques host special events, and auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s hold premier auctions.
The focus is on the watch and jewelry departments, but wine and collectibles (like handbags and sneakers) also get involved.
Sotheby’s really did it up this year. On the Friday before the sale, I went down to the galleries from my office. They fully transformed a white wall gallery into a real experience, complete with Stallone wall murals.
The auction itself happened on the 5th of June. As usual, there were two sessions — rounds, if you will.
Sylvester Stallone Watch Collection
Being able to work with Sly is a real get. Yes, even for a place like Sotheby’s, everyone else is dying to work with.
According to A Man and His Watch, which is an excellent gift for watch lovers, Gregg Allman sparked interest. Stallone says that he and the musician were on a flight together. Allman was sleeping with his arm hanging out, and Stallone got a glimpse of his gold Rolex.
So, Sly used some of his Rocky earnings to acquire a gold Submariner of his own. This was in 1976.
By the ‘90s, Stallone was a certified collector with a particular interest in Panerai. This makes sense. Though Panerai timepieces are made in Switzerland, as most luxury watches are, the brand started in Florence.
Naturally, the Italian Stallion gravitates towards their Florentine design sensibilities, mixed with the brawny, athletic, bigger-is-better aesthetic. As Stallone told Sotheby’s, he “loves a bold statement.”
Since the mid-’90s, Stallone has become one of the most important watch collectors in Hollywood. Frankly, he’s one of the most influential watch guys anywhere.
In fact, he has a tendency to gift his huge pieces to other equally huge action stars. The most notable of whom is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Still, of the eleven watches that went on sale at Sotheby’s, the star of the curation wasn’t a humongous wrist brick. It was a romantic-looking Patek Phillipe, a testament to his nuanced taste.
Let’s take a look at Sylvester Stallone’s watch collection.
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, Reference 6300G-010, sold for a whopping $5.4 million. This means it went beyond its high estimate of $5 million. It was lot 57 from over 200.
During the exhibit, you could see this piece in its gallery. I looked at it and thought, “Ew, why are they displaying it as a piece of plastic?” Well, we now know that this truly remarkable piece has never been touched by human hands, including Stallone’s.
See, Sly didn’t want to wear it ever. He also never meant to keep it forever.
This model boasts 20 complications and is even double-faced. Yes, that means there’s a dial on the front and the back. And boy, are they beautiful.
The story behind this is that Stallone himself had trouble acquiring this piece. He mentioned having to write a lot of letters, talk to board members, and jump through several hoops. Once he finally got one, he displayed and kept it like a piece of art.
He told Sotheby’s that it was the right time to let go of this watch. You have to remember that Sly also gifted watches to friends simply because he felt it was “their time to enjoy it.”
As much as he’s a sharer of art, though, anyone would be foolish to give this away simply. Hence, it went into the Important Watches auction.
The Grandmaster Chime came with a whole slew of collector’s items. Included was the box engraved with Stallone’s name and the certificate of origin. It also came with a personalized book, collection book, travel case, and cufflinks.
Wait, I’m not finished yet. There’s also a sealed setting pin, an iPad with a leather Patek case, and a handwritten note from Rocky himself.
Another Grandmaster Chime sold at a charity auction in 2019. However, it was made especially for that sale. This means that Sly’s watch is the first true secondary market Grandmaster Chime auctioned off.
4 Other Cool Sylvester Stallone Wrist Watches
Of the eleven that sold, here are a few highlights that caught my eye.
Part of my choices has to do with the looks, of course. But most importantly, because of the impressive provenance, I chose ones with fun stories behind them.
Panerai Luminor SlyTech, Reference PAM00269
With a high estimate of $60,000 and a final sale of $90,000, this watch fully killed it. This unique piece looks like a watch was built into a gold bar.
Stallone partnered with Panerai at a time when the brand was struggling. Coming out with their SlyTech models turned out to resuscitate the brand.
This watch was made for Sly specifically. So, in addition to the cool story and symbol of the partnership, it’s one of a kind.
Cartier Pasha Seatimer Reference W301970M
This Cartier essentially doubled its high estimate, having sold for $66,000.
It caught my eye because of its distinct, brawny, yet fanciful design. However, when Sly told Sotheby’s how he got it, I loved it even more.
He and the president of Cartier were simply out to dinner. They talked about their love of watches and horses. Then, the next day, this watch was in his hotel room as a gift.
If that’s not a testament to Sly’s people skills, I don’t know what is.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Reference PAM00382
This Panerai is truly special. That’s probably why it sold for $96,000 despite a high estimate of $60,000.
I love bronze watches, and I think they are so beautifully patinated. This piece is no exception. Even more, Stallone actually wore this masculine, porthole-inspired timepiece in The Expendables 2.
So this guy is fully beat up, featuring a lot of character.
Rolex Day-Date Reference 228235
This Rolex sold for $96,000 with a high estimate of $50,000. I want to highlight it for two reasons.
First, it’s another more delicate-looking model compared to the muscle watches we associate with Sly. The pink gold with green dial is like a classier, more elegant version of the watermelon aesthetic.
Second, Stallone told Sotheby’s that he loves blue or green dials. When an auction lot has such important provenance, it’s always a plus when an item reflects that person’s character.
Of course, the name Sly is engraved on the back.
Did you see the Sotheby’s auction? Which was your favorite Sylvester Stallone watch?
