Wat nadere info:
"After a fierce bidding war with avid collectors, Omega Watches, the global Swiss watch company, prevailed in the purchase of John F. Kennedy’s famed Omega wristwatch Thursday at Guernsey’s auction of John F. Kennedy: The Robert L. White Collection held at New York’s Seventh Regiment Armory. At $350,000, the watch was by far the most expensive item in the session.
“We are thrilled that it happened this way. Congratulations to Omega,” said Arlan Ettinger, founder and president of the auction house.
The watch, from 1960, was a gift to then Senator John F. Kennedy from his friend Grant Stockdale before the election. With a bit of humor and perhaps some premonition, Mr. Stockdale had the back of the watch engraved with the following message: “President of the United States John F. Kennedy from his friend Grant.”
Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega said, “Watches are emotional purchases and we were very determined to procure this watch. It is important to Omega due to its history and will reside in the Omega Museum next to the first watch worn on the moon–something Kennedy himself made possible.”
“We are delighted that this beautiful watch will be exposed to the public and placed next to other major pieces. It is a fitting home for the Kennedy watch,” continued Ettinger.
Also available at the auction were a thank-you letter written by Jacqueline Kennedy to Mr. Stockdale who lauds the Omega as “nicer than the watch I gave him,” and an image from LIFE Magazine of the 35th President wearing the watch on his inauguration day."
Duur horloge dus, 350.000 dollar…
Er komt ook een Ltd. museum edition van:
"
Omega Honors John F. Kennedy with Limited Edition Commemorative Watch - The Ultra-Thin Omega Omega announced the release of a special watch to honor former president John F. Kennedy. The Omega limited edition JFK watch will closely resemble its original - an Omega Ultra-Thin - worn by the President Kennedy during his 1961 inauguration and throughout most of his presidency. The watch will be available by Father’s Day and will be limited to 261 numbered commemorative pieces.
Designed to look the original, the JFK watch will have the same 18k gold case, black leather strap, and the gold “Omega” stamp and logo. Each of the pieces will retail for $8,250.
The original watch owned by President Kennedy is currently owned by and housed at the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. It was bought at a public auction at renowned auction-house Guernsey’s at the end of 2005 for $350,000. Next to the watch is the original letter Jacqueline Kennedy wrote to Grant Stockdale, a friend of John F. Kennedy whom gave the watch to him, thanking him for the “thinnest most elegant wristwatch.” Grant Stockdale has the watch engraved with the inscription “President of the United States John F. Kennedy from his friend Grant” prior to his presidency. Prior to the auction, the Kennedy Omega Ultra Thin watch was privately owned by Robert White, the largest collection of John F. Kennedy memorabilia in the world.
President Kennedy became the youngest president of the U.S. at 43 years old; he was elected on November 9, 1960. A picture taken during his inauguration forever captured the Omega Ultra Thin watch and the monumental occasion and was soon frozen in time on the cover of LIFE magazine."
De uitdrukking “polsvullend” bestond toen nog niet…