AuctionsOct 03, 2024
Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Ready for Their EncoreAuctionsJun 06, 2024
Sotheby’s Auction of Sylvester Stallone’s Watches Was a Knockout
The auction house sold all 11 watches from the “Rocky” star’s collection, with his Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime setting a new record.
Sotheby’s sold each of the 11 watches in Sylvester Stallone’s personal collection for a total of $6.7 million at its New York sale this week. Pictured here is the actor’s Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime.
New York—At its flagship sale of “Important Watches,” Sotheby’s sold every timepiece in the collection of Academy Award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director Sylvester Stallone.
The collection of 11 watches garnered a total of $6.7 million, exceeding its high estimate of $6 million, at the sale held Wednesday in New York.
Six out of the 11 timepieces were sold online, and all but one lot topped pre-sale estimates.
Notably, Stallone’s Patek Philippe Ref. 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime sold for $5.4 million (est. $2.5 million to $5 million) after a four-minute bidding war among a total of five bidders in a “buzzing” saleroom of more than 100 attendees, Sotheby’s said.
In the end, the watch sold to a private collector from Asia.
A slew of accessories accompany the watch including product literature in a large leather portfolio; a collection book; travel case; cufflinks; USB drive; sealed setting pin; hang tag; an Apple iPad with a Patek Philippe leather case with adapter and charger; and Apple EarPods with a Patek Philippe case.
The collection of 11 watches garnered a total of $6.7 million, exceeding its high estimate of $6 million, at the sale held Wednesday in New York.
Six out of the 11 timepieces were sold online, and all but one lot topped pre-sale estimates.
Notably, Stallone’s Patek Philippe Ref. 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime sold for $5.4 million (est. $2.5 million to $5 million) after a four-minute bidding war among a total of five bidders in a “buzzing” saleroom of more than 100 attendees, Sotheby’s said.
In the end, the watch sold to a private collector from Asia.
A slew of accessories accompany the watch including product literature in a large leather portfolio; a collection book; travel case; cufflinks; USB drive; sealed setting pin; hang tag; an Apple iPad with a Patek Philippe leather case with adapter and charger; and Apple EarPods with a Patek Philippe case.
Sylvester Stallone with his Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which sold for more than $5 million at Sotheby’s this week.
The watch was presented in its original single-sealed casing and accompanied by a grand presentation box engraved with Stallone’s name; a Grandmaster Chime book bearing his name on the cover and inside cover; a certificate of origin confirming Stallone as the original purchaser; and several other accessories.
Widely considered a “holy grail” in the watch community, the Grandmaster Chime is the result of a project initiated by Philippe Stern in 2007 to create the most intricate wristwatch in the brand’s history.
The development, production, and assembly spanned 100,000 hours, said Sotheby’s.
Patek Philippe unveiled the Grandmaster Chime in 2014 to commemorate its 175th anniversary, originally launching it as a limited edition.
The watch features a hand-engraved, reversible white gold case adorned with the brand’s signature hobnail pattern. It has 20 complications, including five chiming modes, two independent dials, and six patented innovations.
It’s the third most valuable wristwatch sold in Sotheby’s history, the auction house said.
It set a new record for a modern watch sold by Sotheby’s, topping the $4.5 million sale of a Richard Mille Reference RM53-02 last October.
Stallone’s Grandmaster Chime is the first example of the model to appear at auction, aside from one specifically created for, and sold at, a Christie’s charity auction in November 2019 for CHF 31 million ($35 million).
The timepiece joined Patek Philippe’s permanent collection in 2016 as the Ref. 6300, the company’s most complex watch and the first grande-sonnerie wristwatch added to its current collection.
“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,” said Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s head of watches in the Americas.
“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.”
Hess himself went home with one of Stallone’s watches, the winner of a five-minute bidding battle for the actor’s Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1300A001, pictured below.
This instance marks only the second time this model has been made available on the open market, Sotheby’s said.
The 2021 stainless steel watch featuring an olive-green dial and diamond-set bezel sold for $492,000. It was estimated to go for up to $400,000.
Stallone’s collection, assembled over the course of more than 20 years, also included timepieces from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Piaget, as well as unique and screen-worn watches from Panerai.
One highlight was the actor’s Audemars Piguet Reference 26730OR.OO.1320OR.01 Royal Oak Tourbillon. It sold for $228,000, exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of $200,000.
The piece, created for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2022, was “chased by clients over the phone, in the room and online,” Sotheby’s said.
This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon features a self-winding flying tourbillon, created specifically for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2022.
It features a pink gold case and smoked blue dial with a grande tapisserie pattern, as well as a special gold rotor with a “50 Years” mark.
Also a standout of the sale, a Panerai reference PAM00382 Luminor Submersible 1950 timepiece worn by Stallone in “The Expendables 2” was sold to an online buyer for $96,000, topping its pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$60,000.
The “Bronzo” is the first instance of a Panerai sports watch crafted entirely from bronze.
Stallone’s Panerai “Bronzo” watch displays the age and patina of its “extreme use” during filming, the auction house said.
While the PAM 382 model was limited to 1,000 pieces, Stallone’s piece was numbered N0000/1000, which suggests it could be a prototype or the first of the series ever produced, Sotheby’s said.
Sotheby’s sale of Stallone’s watch collection attracted more than 200 bidders.
Coming up, the auction house will host its “Magnificent Jewels” sale in New York on Friday, offering a 3.36-carat oval-shaped fancy intense pinkish purple diamond dubbed the “Lavender Dream.”
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
