Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jun 22, 2013

LOT 521

JAMES DEAN?S ELGIN POCKET WATCH Elgin, No. 3071580, case No. 4275904. Made circa 1889. A keyless gold filled pocket watch. Accompanied by the original fitted box, chain, lamp pendant and documentation attesting to the provenance.

HKD 39,000 - 78,000

USD 5,000 - 10,000 / CHF 4,700 - 9,000

Sold: HKD 325,000

C. Four-body, bassine et filets, engine-turned back, cartouche with JD engraved on the front, coin-edge case band, hinged cuvette.
D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel spade hands.
M. Rhodium plated, 3/4 plate, 5 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel balance spring. Movement and case signed. Diam. 37.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3**

Good

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-71-01

Fair

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines

HANDS Original

Notes

James Dean (1931-1955) referred to this pocket watch as his ?Lucky Watch.? It was purchased by him circa 1951 as a young actor in New York. Coincidentally around the same time, his acting career started to flourish. Dean, being known as a superstitious individual, started wearing this watch as a good luck charm regularly. In the movie East of Eden, he is seen wearing this watch with an alternative cover in order to hide his initials ?J.D?. Years after his success as a bona fide movie star, this watch was given to Ms. Tillie Starriet, a former Warner Brother?s personnel whom he called ?Mom?, as an appreciation for assisting him throughout his career