Sir Michael Caine has demonstrated an uncommon gift for sartorial elegance both on and off screen during his six decade acting career and has often been seen wearing prestige watches from the likes of Rolex and IWC in movies such as Alfie, Get Carter and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Sir Michael and his wife, Lady Caine, are easing into retirement now, and like many of their generation, are downsizing and putting some of their treasured possessions up for auction.
A dedicated auction at Bonhams on March 2 will sell off a number of family treasures including an 18ct gold Oysterquartz Rolex Day-Date from around 1980.
Quartz watches may be somewhat out of fashion today, but the pre-auction estimate of £8,000 to £12,000 looks designed to start a bidding war that will take the price well beyond.
Sir Michael Caine said: “It’s going to be quite a wrench to part with so many treasured parts of my life and career, but it’s the right time to be moving on. I hope these mementoes will give their new owners as much pleasure as they have given us.”
Other items in the Bonhams sale include movie posters, furniture including his desk, works of art and fine art, such as Les Amoureux dans l’arbre by Marc Chagall (estimate £30,000-50,00) – and his iconic spectacles (estimate: £800-1200).