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Antiquorum to offer Kennedy-Onassis, Gandhi watches

February 09, 2009

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This silver Zenith pocket watch (circa 1910-1915) owned by Gandhi is estimated to fetch $20,000-$30,000 at Antiquorum's March auction.

New York--A watch that belonged to President John F. Kennedy and later Aristotle Onassis and a pocket watch that belonged to Mahatma Gandhi are among the timepieces slated for Antiquorum Auctioneers' special spring auction in New York City from March 4-5.

The auction will feature a collection of more than 400 important timepieces from around the world, including a collection of Patek Philippe watches, with a unique piece made for Henry Graves.

The Nastrix watch that belonged to President Kennedy and later to Onassis, the Greek shipping magnate, is expected to draw international attention.

The 14-karat gold waterproof watch, which features 57 jewels, its original brown alligator strap and has a pre-auction estimate of $150,000-$250,000, was given to Kennedy in January 1963 by Evangeline and David Bruce, great supporters of Kennedy and instrumental in his election. Kennedy wore the watch during his daily swims in the White House pool, according to Antiquorum.

Following Kennedy's assassination, the watch was given to his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Several years later, she gave the watch as a gift to her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, adding the inscription, FALJ ("For Ari Love Jackie") inscribed between the lugs.

A silver Zenith pocket watch (circa 1910-1915) owned by Gandhi, a beloved leader of India's independence movement and one of history's most widely recognized and revered civil rights leaders, is also expected to attract significant interest. Gandhi later gave the timepiece to his grandniece, Abha Gandhi, his assistant of six years, and in whose arms he died. The watch is estimated at $20,000-$30,000 and is being offered along with Gandhi's sandals, glasses, bowl, plate and letters of authenticity.

Another highlight of the March sale is the Platinum Minute Repeater that was made for Henry Graves Jr., one of the most ardent Patek Philippe collectors in the world. This will be the first time this watch has been offered at auction, having been kept in a private collection for more than 50 years. Considered very fine and extremely rare, this cushion-shaped, minute-repeating, platinum wristwatch is estimated at $250,000-$350,000.

A yellow gold Patek Philippe, Ref. 1516, which belonged to the late Giuseppe Bonanno Sr. (the "Godfather" of the Bonanno crime family), is also included in Antiquorum's upcoming auction. Considered a fine, extremely rare and important, 18-karat yellow gold wristwatch, the timepiece is estimated at $5,000-$8,000.

For the Rolex aficionado, Antiquorum experts are offering a Rolex "Paul Newman" Oyster Cosmograph, Ref. 6263. Produced circa 1973, it is considered a very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with an exotic dial and black bezel, and is estimated at $60,000-$90,000.

Previews for the sale will be held in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and New York.
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