Celebrity Life

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, pre-owned watch specialist Watchfinder & Co. take a look back at some of the world’s most iconic couples and the watches they gifted each other as tokens of their affection.

Why buy pre-owned? There are many gems hidden in the market – limited editions, cult classics and otherwise impossible to obtain bestsellers that your local AD won’t give you access to. Watchfinder & Co is recognised as a trusted source in the industry and considered one of the best routes to access this growing stock of attractive timepieces.

Paul Newman and Joanna Woodward

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were Hollywood’s golden couple and the Rolex Daytona (ref. 6239) gifted to Paul by his wife in 1968 went on to become one of the most famous watches in horological history. The timepiece, now recognised as the ‘Paul Newman Daytona’, featured a white exotic dial, pump pushers and a steel bezel. What made this specific watch all the more unique was the words ‘Drive Carefully, Me’ inscribed on the caseback by Woodward as a reminder to take care on the racetrack. When the watch appeared at auction in 2017 it sold for a staggering $17.8 million, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold. 

Shop Rolex Daytona here.

John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe

A more scandalous pairing was that of Marilyn Monroe and U.S. President John F. Kennedy. On the evening of the former president’s birthday—where Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday”—the actress gifted JFK a gold Rolex Day-Date, with the inscription “JACK, with love as always from MARILYN, May 29th 1962”. The engraved timepiece alluded to a longstanding affair however, to this day, it has never been proven. Allegedly Kennedy instructed his aide to get rid of the watch and never wore it. However, 43 years later the timepiece re-appeared at auction alongside a longing poem Marilyn had written. The watch sold for $120,000. 

Shop Rolex Day-Date here.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor

One of the 20th century’s most iconic power couples, the twice married Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were known for their extravagance, with Taylor herself a keen watch collector, amassing watches from Cartier, Bulgari, Patek Philippe and Piaget, amongst many others. In 1970, celebrating Burton’s CBE awarded by Queen Elizabeth, Taylor gifted Burton a gold Omega Constellation watch which featured a square dial and an 18-carat yellow gold case and bracelet. In 2015, the watch sold for more than $12,000 at auction. 

Shop Omega Constellation here.

Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

In 2014, in celebration of the couples’ third wedding anniversary, Prince William presented his wife with a Cartier Ballon Bleu. The watch featured a stainless-steel bracelet, blued-steel hands and a blue spinel set into the crown. Prince William chose that particular watch as it matched the Duchess’ sapphire engagement ring which was previously owned by his mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales—who was also a big fan of Cartier watches. 

Shop Cartier Ballon Bleu here.

Jay-Z and Beyonce

In 2018, for Jay-Z’s 43rd birthday, Beyoncé gifted him with the most expensive Hublot ever made – a $5 million Big Bang. The timepiece was covered with 1,282 diamonds – all of the highest grade. The watch was a custom, one-off design that took 14 months to make, and required 12 cutters and five setters. 

Shop Hublot Big Bang here.

The post 5 Most Romantic Watch Gifts Worn by Famous People appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Roger Dubuis celebrates its stamp in Soho. Roger Dubuis continues its venture of opening boutiques around the world to showcase its collection of complex luxury timepieces. Roger Dubuis is proud to celebrate its newest residency in the Soho district of New York City with a commemorative limited-edition Excalibur model. The all-new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Soho […]

The post The New Roger Dubuis Excalibur Soho Edition MB Is Limited To Only 8-Pieces appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Leica put down the camera lens and picked up a watch movement. Leica is best known for producing high-quality cameras and photography accessories for industry-leading professionals. The brand holds a lengthy heritage of viewing every opportunity through the lens of a camera. Now, Leica is focusing efforts on manufacturing everyday accessories like the common wristwatch. […]

The post Leica Releases The All-New L1 & L2 Watches appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Over the past century, Leica cameras have become synonymous in the photography world with engineering excellence. Now, the prestigious German manufacturer is applying its technical prowess to the coveted world of prestige watches, with the unveiling of the Leica L1 and Leica L2. Borrowing design details from the brand’s enviable back catalog of iconic cameras... View Article

The post Leica Debuts Highly Anticipated L1 and L2 Timepieces appeared first on Elite Traveler.

TAG Heuer hits the track with the Formula 1 Champions at Red Bull Racing. TAG Heuer is best-known for its early influence within the world of automotive racing, pioneering examples that are now considered as some of the most desirable timepieces on the market. Now, the Swiss watch brand is leading the way in Formula […]

The post TAG Heuer x Red Bull Racing Celebrate Its Partnership With A Special Edition Formula 1 Watch appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Re-live the history of MB&F with its new publication. The legacy of MB&F and founder Max Büsser is highlighted through its collection of highly-complex luxury timepieces that sport one-of-a-kind designs. MB&F is proud to celebrate its first 15-years through its new publication titled ‘MB&F: the First Fifteen Years, a Catalogue Raisonné of MB&F Watches’ by […]

The post MB&F Announces Its New Catalogue Raisonné Highlighting Its First 15-Years appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

The iconic UR-100 model receives a new carbon design from Urwerk Geneve. The vision behind the luxury timepieces from Urwerk Geneve reimagines traditional watchmaking using unique design qualities and industry-leading movement technology. Urwerk is proud to unveil the all-new UR-100 C52, a limited-edition example that sports an aggressive lightweight design. The Urwerk UR-100 C52 presents […]

The post Discover The New Limited-Edition URWERK UR-100 C52 appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Exotic cars and fine handcrafted timepieces complement each other in a similar way that salt and pepper do. They just work. In many cases, watch manufacturers create pieces that tailor to the exotic automotive industry and even specific vehicles altogether. Makes and Movements will be selecting spectacular products available through duPont Registry and pairing them […]

The post Makes & Movements: Jacob & Co. Chiron Tourbillon x Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.

Ulysse Nardin takes to space with its new Blast creation. As a brand built off nautical inspiration, Ulysse Nardin focuses on incorporating movement technology that tracks more than just time itself. Continuing its aspiration of vertical odyssey, Ulysse Nardin is proud to release the all-new Blast Moonstruck. The Blast Moonstruck takes shape as a 45mm […]

The post Ulysse Nardin Unveils The New $79,300 Blast Moonstruck appeared first on duPont REGISTRY Daily.