Sylvester Stallone, AKA ‘Rocky’ is bringing a spectacular array of timepieces to auction. In June, Sotheby’s New York will showcase 11 watches from his personal collection.
Like other celebrities including David Beckham and Roger Federer, Stallone has cultivated an impressive watch collection over the years, wearing them in movies, on the golf course, and to social events.
He’s now decided its time to part ways with some of his most beloved pieces.
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Stallone’s fascination with watches began when he noticed a gold Rolex on the wrist of a sleepy Greg Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. That glimpse inspired him to invest some of his Rocky earnings into a gold Submariner, igniting a lifelong passion for horology.
“I’ve had the privilege of owning some truly remarkable watches over the years, each with its own unique character and history. I enjoy the collecting process like so many others in this passionate community, who don’t just see watches as an accessory, but admire them for their history, craftsmanship, artistry – but most importantly – how they make them feel,” Stallone explains to Sotheby’s. “Looking at these watches, I feel truly lucky to have owned them; they serve as a reminder that hard work pays off. While parting ways with this collection is bittersweet, I cherish that I’ve owned them with pride, and hope they will be appreciated and admired in their next homes.”
Here are the 11 timepieces from Stallone’s collection that will be up for auction:
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300G-010
The standout piece in Stallone’s collection is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime. Considered the “holy grail” of timepieces, this watch is renowned for its intricate design and rarity, with only seven models ever made. Featuring 20 complications, including five chiming mechanisms and a date repeater, it is expected to sell for between $2.5 million and $5 million (USD). Acquiring this watch was no small feat for Stallone, involving a series of letters to the board of Patek Philippe.
Panerai Luminor Submersible Piece Unique PAM00269
Another notable watch is the Panerai Luminor Submersible Piece Unique PAM00269. This watch, made exclusively for Stallone, features his signature on the back and is expected to sell for up to $60,000. He wore it while featuring in the 1996 film ‘Daylight’, making the brand increasingly popular among fans. Following this collaboration, Stallone and Panerai partnered often, releasing several limited edition pieces.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 50th Anniversary 26730OR.OO.1320OR.01
Stallone’s collection also includes an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 50th Anniversary watch. This 41mm watch features a flying tourbillon and is estimated to sell for up to $200,000. Based on its age and lack of wear it seems this piece was rarely on Sly’s wrist, making it purely a collectors watch.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 PAM00382
The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 PAM00382 was worn by Stallone during the filming of The Expendables 2 and is expected to sell for up to $60,000. We can see it’s been put to work, with clear wear markings around the bezel.
Cartier Pasha Seatimer W301970M
The Cartier Pasha Seatimer, given to Stallone by the president of Cartier, is another interesting piece going to auction. This 42mm watch blends gold and ceramic and is estimated to sell for up to $30,000.
“This is really a piece of gold. This Cartier watch was given to me. I was at the Deauville Film Festival and I was having dinner with the president of Cartier,” Stallone recalls. “We had a good time, we were talking about horses and so on and so forth. And the next day at the hotel was this extraordinary piece of watchmaking. Again, there’s a pattern here. You can see there’s a sort of a rhythm that goes on with all these watches: they are a certain size, which at that time was the heavier bulkier watches. As I get older, I tend to shift my preferences, but this again marks a certain period of time. Also, this big door knocker here is engraved to commemorate that moment.”
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Chrono Slytech PAM00202
This Panerai watch, known for its robustness and unique design, is expected to sell for up to $12,000. This particular watch is #0001 of 1,000 made, making it another sought after limited addition model.
Rolex Day-Date 228235
A Rolex Day-Date from 2016 with “SLY” engraved on the caseback is also part of the auction. This watch, known for being a symbol of success, is expected to sell for up to $50,000. Simplicity with style, the perfect addition for any watch collection.
Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta Classic Yachts Challenge PAM00332
This Panerai watch, celebrated for its connection to yacht racing, is estimated to fetch up to $40,000. It was not worn on screen, nor a special edition, however this daily wristwear still packs in the detail with a highly complicated chronograph mechanism.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1R-001
Stallone is sadly auctioning his Patek Philippe Nautilus with an olive-green dial and 32 baguette diamonds set in stainless steel. It comes as quite the surprise given he frequently blesses his wrist with it.
“5711. What can I say? This is the mack daddy. This is green faced, very valuable. I don’t know why I’m selling it. Because I’m stupid, I guess, but I’m gonna do it anyway. For those fact-hungry people, this is the first time they used diamonds on steel. So it makes quite a statement. This is the mack daddy. If you’re a serious watch collector and you want to make a statement.”
This watch is expected to fetch up to $400,000, one of the highest in the entire collection.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
This version of the Nautilus is a classic timepiece and one of the most recognisable watches out there.
“If you want to be on the front line of a trend, this is when this watch came to the forefront and hasn’t slowed down since. It’s probably the most iconic watch Patek ever made in the sporting genre. You know, sometimes you just do it right? You nail it perfectly. And go, ‘Oh, what can I do to make it better?’ And the answer is nothing. You did. So just enjoy.”
A favourite among collectors, it’s estimated to sell for up to $100,000.
Piaget Polo Grande P10623
Lastly, the Piaget Polo Grande P10623. While not as well-known as some of the other brands, Piaget is celebrated for its luxurious designs. Smaller than other models worn by Rocky, and never appearing on screen, this watch is expected to only fetch up to $12,000.
Sylvester Stallone’s watch auction at Sotheby’s is a unique opportunity for collectors to own a piece of history. Each watch in his collection has its own story and significance, reflecting the ‘Rocky’ actors passion for watches and his successful career in Hollywood. Whether you are a fan of Stallone or a watch enthusiast, this auction is not to be missed.