Timeless lure! Elvis Presley's 1960 diamond Omega watch sets record for Swiss brand, fetches $1.8 mn at auction

More than 40 years after Elvis Presley left the building, the king of rock and roll is still a superstar in the auction market.

A 1960 Omega diamond watch that belonged to the legend sold for $1.8 million at an auction by Phillips, setting a record price for the Swiss watch brand.

Described as the “most historically significant Elvis Presley-owned watch to ever appear on the market”, the 18-carat white gold wristwatch was presented to Elvis by RCA Records in February 1961, at a charity luncheon and concert to celebrate his 75 million records sold worldwide. Presley was photographed a number of times wearing the watch, both on and off stage.

The 33 mm timepiece houses a manually-wound OMEGA calibre 510, and features 44 brilliant cut diamonds surrounding the bezel, as well as an elegant silvered ivory dial with a small-seconds subdial. The caseback has an inscription that says: “To Elvis, 75 Million Records, RCA Victor, 12-25-60.” The watch was given to the current owner’s uncle after he had expressed his admiration for Elvis’s watch . Spotting the diamond -studded Hami lton the admirer was wearing, Elvis proposed a trade, and they quickly exchanged timepieces.


(Image: phillips.com)

Presley is known to have traded and given away multiple watches, which is why they come up for sale from time to time. The incredible provenance of this historic timepiece is furthermore confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch at the charity concert, as well as certificates of authenticity from the Elvis Presley Museum.