Elton John’s Peachtree Road Auction is Set to ‘Crash’ this February.
Elton John will auction off 31 timepieces this Fall in a collection that can only be described as quintessential Elton.
Elton John is arguably one of the most recognizable people alive today. It is nearly impossible to not only introduce the man but to encapsulate the impact he has had on our society and our lives in a single article.
To quickly summarize his achievements: The EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner boasts over fifty top-40 hits on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, with nine number-one singles in each country and seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. Globally, he has sold over 300 million records, solidifying his status as one of the best-selling music artists in history and the most successful solo artist on the US Billboard charts. Notably, in 2021 he made history as the first solo artist with UK Top 10 singles spanning six decades.
So what else could this man add to his resume? What about collector and connoisseur of the arts? And to note I say arts and not just watches because his watch collection, specifically the ones up for auction this winter with Christie’s are truly wearable art. They are as fabulous as the man who purchased and wore them. These watches are true forms of expression, of excitement on the wrist, and like his music they transcend generations.
The Auction
Commencing on Wednesday, February 21, an inaugural evening sale will set in motion an eight-part series, both live and online, encapsulating the quintessence of Elton’s life, work, and artistic expression. Aptly titled ‘The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road,’ this assemblage signifies a pivotal juncture in the maestro’s personal odyssey and opens a portal for admirers to connect with his significant Atlanta chapter.
Atlanta, a city that resonates with the harmonies of Elton became a sanctuary and a wellspring of inspiration for the artist. In 1992, he purchased a condominium on Peachtree Road, marking a transformative chapter in his journey to recovery.
According to Elton’s husband David Furnish, this is where he became a true student of the arts. This is where he produced the first album for which he is credited as the sole producer. This is where the next chapter of his life began. Atlanta, albeit an unlikely home when you first think about it for Elton, took him in. They embraced him. They made him feel like one of their own and it was a grounding place for Elton. A place to unwind and have his “man den” of collectibles.
When you are Sir Elton John and one of the most recognizable people in the entire world, you can’t spend that much time outside of your home. And when you stay in — you would want to be surrounded by things that inspire you, lift up your heart, make you feel good.
That is the essence of all art, whether it be a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a song, or a watch. It is to make you feel, to make you question, to make you fall in love with the world again.
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. — The Dead Poets Society
This collection stands as a visual testament to Elton John’s discerning taste and artistic vision. His Atlanta residence, adorned with photographs by iconic artists such as Andy Warhol and Helmut Newton, served as a canvas for profound self-expression.
Yet, the allure does not conclude there. The sale also casts a luminous spotlight on Elton John’s resplendent stage wardrobe, transporting us back to the ’70s with the iconic Ivory and Gold Ensemble designed by Annie Reavey. This ensemble, estimated at $8,000 to $12,000, epitomizes the genesis of Elton John’s iconic stage attire. And most importantly, why you are here, his watches.
The Watches
“I start from the supposition that the world is topsy-turvy.” — Howard Zinn.
Watches are often presented to us today as serious works of engineering, which they are, and nothing gets my hair standing on end more than a 35-degree pitched tourbillon, the distant chime from a minute repeater, or the feeling of a strong click from a unidirectional bezel. But at the end of the day, watches are just jewelry. I apologize to my most ardent collectors out there, but as romantic as I like to get about the connections and stories we make with this sartorial item, it is, in fact, not necessary for survival. Watches don’t keep us warm, start fires, provide shelter, offer food, or protect your family from an alien invasion—anyway, you get the point.
So when deciding which watches in this collection stand on some vaulted platform of horological merit I struggled. The horological world tends to stand on resolute ground. Maybe we take ourselves too seriously, and if there is anyone in the world today who exudes the exact opposite personality trait, it would be Elton.
What I realized was that Sir Elton John, despite the “Sir” preceding his name, is not a quote-unquote serious man. Elton is gloriously flamboyant, joyfully loud, and excitingly different. And as much as I want to say his beautiful watch collection up for auction has some serious horological merit or historical significance tied to it, I can’t. What makes this auction exciting is that these watches are just pure fun.
This collection stands out because it isn’t selling history or some time capsule of great feats of engineering; it is selling joy that can be worn on the wrist.
To write about all 31 watches would call for an article much longer than anyone has time for. His collection boasts an incredible assortment of Cartier, Chopard, and Franck Muller. I instead chose a few of my favorites and compared them to some of my favorite Elton John tunes from the past 60 years.
Cartier London Tank Model (Circa 1980s) – Lot 324
Song/Album Connection: The classic and timeless appeal of Elton John’s song “Your Song” resonates with the Cartier London Tank. The platinum watch, with its diamond and ruby baguettes, reflects the enduring quality of Elton John’s early musical creations. It is a classic with some pizazz.
Piaget Tanagra Piece Unique Model (Circa 1990s) – Lot 327
Song/Album Connection: Elton John’s flamboyant stage presence finds resonance with the extravagant design of the Piaget Tanagra. The use of gold, diamonds, and gemstones parallels the luxurious and theatrical aspects of Elton’s performances. I couldn’t narrow this down to a single album or song but a performance. Specifically, his 1975 show at Dodger Stadium. While Elton has sported numerous remarkable outfits over the course of his career, the sequined baseball uniform he wore on that particular evening stands out as one of the most renowned. Although this watch wouldn’t match the uniform from that performance, it reminds me of the true showman Elton has and always will be.
Cartier Tank Américaine Model (Circa 2000s) – Lot 396
Song/Album Connection: The white guilloché dial of this Cartier Tank Américaine is reminiscent of Elton John’s ballads. It could be compared to the emotional depth found in songs like “Candle in the Wind,” reflecting a sense of timelessness. The Américaine has a long storied history and one that evokes emotion just like Candle in the Wind.
Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Model (Circa 2000s) – Lot 398
Song/Album Connection: I associate the Monopoussoir or Monopusher Cartier Tortue chronograph with Elton John’s song “Daniel.” Its about love and what is true to one’s heart, but also the importance of timing in ones life. The watch’s functionality aligns with the precision and timing required in Elton’s lively musical pieces. The Tortue Monopusher is one of my favorites in this collection as it is one of my favorite Cartier model’s in general. With Elton’s added diamond flare this is a piece that just hits on every cylinder.
Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques Jalousie Shutter Model (Circa 2000s) – Lot 397
Song/Album Connection: The concealed dial of this Vacheron Constantin model symbolizes the layers of creativity and emotion in Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” A specific story is told on the surface until you push the shudder open, highlighting a vastly different horological world underneath. The watch conceals its beauty, much like the complex inner world of the song.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Model (Circa 2000s) – Lot 399
Song/Album Connection: Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” encapsulates a sense of elegance and refinement, which parallels the silver dial and platinum construction of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control. It is not every day that you see a JLC pointer date with a diamond bezel, which seems odd at first but the more you look at this watch the more it just makes sense.
Audemars Piguet 33 mm. Royal Oak Model (Circa 1990s) – Lot 400
Song/Album Connection: Elton John’s vibrant personality, as seen in “Crocodile Rock,” aligns with the colorful and playful design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The watch’s blue mother-of-pearl dial adds a touch of whimsy. Like the song this AP RO is all fun but yet a serious piece of horology just like Crocodile Rock is actually a magical slice of musical genius.
My Choice
If I had to choose one watch to rule them all, one watch from this collection which has so many showstoppers and piece uniques it would have to be the AP Royal Oak with its blue MOP dial. There are plenty of other technically advanced watches in his collection and many more bedazzled watches, but this piece nestles in between them all. It just works. It is like wearing the ocean on your wrist. If you were an ancient Greek aristocrat who enjoyed luxury this would be the watch you wear on the Acropolis telling the world about your new divergent thinking philosophy.
The 33mm case, rendered in elegant 18K white gold, whispers of understated luxury, while the sapphire-set bezel and the mesmerizing blue mother-of-pearl dial elevate this timepiece to a realm of unparalleled sophistication. The intricate details, from the carefully set sapphires to the subtle play of colors on the mother-of-pearl dial, create an aesthetic symphony that captures the essence of enduring beauty.
In the world of horology, where choices abound, this particular timepiece can transcend generations. Much like the music of Elton John, which has resonated across six decades, this Audemars Piguet watch becomes a legacy piece. It is not just a fleeting trend but a timeless companion that has and will continue to gracefully age, making it as relevant and cherished in the hands of future generations as it is today.
What I am looking out for.
What remains to be seen is how the auction results will pan out. It does seem to me that the estimates on not just Elton’s watches but his art seem low, so I will be following along closely. The three watches, which I am most interested in seeing the results are his 1991 Cartier Crash, The diamond and sapphire Tank Normale, a watch that was wildly ahead of its time when Elton acquired it in the early 2000s, and the diamond skull encrusted Chopard Aids Foundation Piece Unique ref 1279.
With the Crash being the ultimate hype piece of today, the result from that piece will be a great heat check on the Cartier market. The Tank Normale is in my opinion vastly underrated in the pantheon of Cartier and it will be interesting to see if this sets off a new trend for the company. And finally, the Chopard is arguably the loudest piece, not by color but by overall design, and will be a phenomenal barometer on the overall auction market when all is said and done.