After a lengthy and competitive round of bidding, the Omega Museum in Biel/Bienne became the proud new owner, not only attaining the watch for their significant collection, but also paying a new world record for any Omega watch ever purchased. Described as the ‘most historically significant Elvis Presley-owned watch to ever appear on the market’, the 18-karat 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. The 33mm 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. On the caseback, the engravings include the words: ‘To Elvis, 75 Million Records, RCA Victor, 12-25-60’.
The incredible provenance of this one-of-a-kind timepiece was further confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch, as well as a certificate of authenticity from Jimmy Velvet, the founder and CEO of the Elvis Presley Museum.
