A selection of watches and clocks owned by the late Sir Jimmy Savile were put up for auction this week, including his famous diamond-set gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch which sold for £30,000 – three times its estimate.
The timepiece is believed to be about 25 years old and features 44 diamonds set into the bezel, a pave-set diamond dial with sapphire-set numerals and an 18ct gold case.
According to the receipt the watch was bought at the Rolex store in London, while its guarantee is stamped November 14 1988. The watch sold for £30,000 while its original guide price was £8,000 to £12,000.
An engraved 18ct gold Swiss pocket watch was also a key seller among the timepieces sold during the auction. The Everite brooch watch had been specially engraved with ‘Opening by Dr. Savile O.B.E. July 3rd 1973’, and its 9ct brooch bar had been engraved ‘Savile House’, relating to a sheltered housing scheme. The watch sold for £240 and had a guide price of between £70 and £100.
A third lot, a chromium-plated oversized open face pocket watch by Smith, sold for £340. The watch was presented with a black leather hanging strap and buckle and was sold with an accompanying sepia photograph of Sir Jimmy with the watch. Its reverse was stamped for Harry Godwin, Manchester.
However the quirkiest piece among the watch auction sold for just £90. The gilt metal wristwatch had a decorated dial featuring an image of Princess Diana. The red leather-strapped model was sold with its case and a white sweatshirt printed with a portrait image of Princess Diana and the inscription ‘Diana’ and `The Peoples’ Princess’.
In total, the watch and clock section of the auction raised £31,170 for Savile’s selected charities.
