Elton John’s Leopard Print Rolex Just Set a New World Auction Record – Robb Report

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Elton John, of course, is known for his extravagant wardrobe. So it’s no surprise that he has equally eye-catching wrist candy to match.

Rocket Man’s leopard Rolex Daytona was just one part of the singer’s private collection, which was located in none other than his former Atlanta condo, and which fetched an impressive $8 million in opening night from Christie’s Collection’s sale of Sir Elton John Goodbye Peachtree Road. The event put just 49 lots, including Richard Avedon photographs, Versace porcelain and more, on the block for its first night, but it was John’s stunning animal print watch that set a new world auction record for the model.

The referee signed. 116598 comes with a 40mm case crafted in 18K gold. The watch was manufactured around 2001, according to Christie’s, but made its debut at the 2004 Basel Fair, where its extravagant design caused a sensation. In addition to the leopard print dial, the watch has a bezel encrusted with 36 square-cut yellow sapphires and caps with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. Eight diamond-set numerals are also featured on the model, which sold for $176,400, or $116,000 more than its sales estimate of $60,000.

Although the quirky watch is quite captivating, it wasn’t the best lot. That title went to Banksy. Flower Launcher Triptych, which the “Candle in the Wind” singer acquired directly from the artist. The 2017 work, made with spray paint on canvas, shows a man preparing to throw a bouquet of flowers into three frames of various sizes. It is estimated to sell for between $1 million and $1.5 million, but ultimately fetched a whopping $1,925,500.

A pair of tall silver leather platform boots and Sir Winston Eyeware prescription sunglasses also surpassed their estimates. The first one sports red leather “E” and “J” letters and sold for $94,500, 19 times its low sales estimate of $5,000. Meanwhile, the gorgeous sunglasses, circa 1975, sold for $22,680, 11 times the low estimate. On the other hand, the musician’s 1990 Bentley Continental that traveled with him from Atlanta to the south of France fetched a whopping $441,000. The sum exceeded its low estimate of $25,000.

Two other watches also achieved extraordinary results in the sale. John’s limited edition Cartier Crash sold for $277,200, nearly four times its low sales estimate of $70,000. A signed Cartier Tank Normale also came off the block for $176,400, nearly nine times its low estimate of $20,000, marking a record sale for the model. Silk shirts and vintage porcelain plates by Gianni Versace, plus a Yamaha grand piano, completed the auction.

“It was a privilege to auction Elton John’s inspiring collection,” Tash Perrin, vice president of Christie’s Americas, says in a statement. The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road auction continued Thursday with the day’s sale. A second session will be held on Friday and online sales will be open for bidding from February 27 to 28.