One of the King’s royally swish gifts will go under the gavel this spring.
A vintage Baume & Mercier timepiece Elvis Presley gave his co-star Dodie Marshall following the filming of Easy Come, Easy Go will be auctioned off at Bonhams in April.
Crafted from 14-karat gold, the watch is distinguished by an unusual asymmetric design that sees diamonds arranged in the shape of a crescent moon on the left-hand side of the dial.
The piece isn’t just striking but sentimental, too. The caseback is engraved with the message: “From Elvis Presley to Dodie Marshall my great treasure my greatest love Elvis.” The wrist candy also features a Screen Actors Guild charm on the bracelet.
The King gave the watch to the actress as a token of affection after their work together on the 1967 musical comedy. (For the unacquainted, Marshall played Presley’s love interest Jo Symington in the film.) Presley was, of course, known for gifting friends, family, and colleagues dazzling bling. Bonhams says he gave inscribed Baume & Mercier watches to a few people over the years, in fact.
Founded in Geneva in 1918, Baume & Mercier has produced high-quality luxury timepieces for more than a century and represents the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking. – was especially popular in the 1960s and is still respected among watch enthusiasts.
Marshall wore this particular B&M timepiece for many years and it has remained in her ownership, according to Bonhams. “The piece has great provenance coming from the private estate of Dodie Marshall,” Nate Borgelt, the head of the auction house’s watch department in America, said in a statement. It is also the first time the watch has come to market. As such, the rarity is expected to fetch between $4,000 to $6,000 at the upcoming auction.
Marshall’s watch is far from the only horological grail crossing the block at Bonhams, though. Taking place from April 20 to 30, the New York Fine Watches online sale also includes an ultra-rare Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Paul Newman. The auction house says the reference 6262/6239 from 1972 was produced in limited numbers and is highly sought-after by collectors.
“It is a rarity for both timepieces to come to auction and we hope they garner much attention and excitement among horologist enthusiasts,” adds Borgelt.
The watches may not have come easily, but they will surely go easily.
