Thirteen watches, including a leopard print Rolex Daytona and a Cartier Crash, are being sold today as Sir Elton John auctions the contents of his home in Atlanta at a series of sales at Christie’s New York.
A total of eight auctions begins this afternoon (February 21) in New York and online.
Atlanta became a home from home for Elton John when he toured the United States, and he put down roots in 1992 when he bought an apartment on Peachtree Road in the city.
Objects from Peachtree Road include art by the likes of Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, Peter Beard, Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon; some of which are personalised for the singer.
A Damien Hirst signed and inscribed ‘xxx for Elton + David love Damien Thank You,’ has an estimate of $350,000-450,000.
A portrait of Elton John by Julian Schnabel, is estimated to be worth $200,000-300,000.
The sale has a selection of iconic fashion from Sir Elton’s dazzling stage shows including a an Ivory and Gold Ensemble designed by Annie Reavey in circa 1971 and a pair of his trademark platform boots in silver and red that have an estimate of $5,000 to $10,000.
Sir Elton John is a passionate watch collector, and has consigned 32 timepieces to the Christie’s sale including 13 by Cartier, five Chopards and four Hublots.
Elton John’s leopard print Rolex Daytona
The most eye-catching piece is a gold Rolex Daytona with a leopard print dial and strap with a case in diamonds and orange sapphires.
It was produced in 2001 and has an estimate of $40,000-60,000 (£32,000-47,000).
Appealing to a more mainstream collector’s taste is the Cartier Crash in 18ct gold with a silvered dial
It has an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000, considerably lower than an equivalent Cartier Crash, without a celebrity connection, which sold at Sotheby’s in London for $191,000 in September last year.
Sir Elton shows a strong preference for jewelled watches in the collection from his Atlanta home.
A unique Chopard chronograph, produced around 2010 to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation, has a case entirely covered in white diamonds, including two skulls that appear to bite into the top and bottom of the watch.
Priced to draw maximum interest, it goes to auction with an estimate of just $10,000-15,000.
A Cartier Tank Normale in 18ct white gold has a bezel set with 20 baguette diamonds and a dial made up of 16 blue baguette sapphires.
Measuring 23mm x 39mm, the manually wound watch has an estimate of $20,000-30,000.
Another gem-encrusted creation from Cartier is a 35mm Pasha in 18ct yellow gold with a Cloisonné enamel dial framed by two rows of diamonds.
Made around 2010, the automatic watch has an estimate of $15,000-20,000.
A. Lange & Söhne is represented by an 18ct white gold Saxonia with a diamond-set bezel.
The 34mm size would typically put the watch in the men’s category, but today’s tastes make it more of a gender-neutral option.
The manually-wound watch, worn on a leather strap with a white gold buckle, goes under the hammer with a $15,000-20,000 estimate.