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When the picture above, taken by the photographer Bob Gruen on the day of Lennon's 40th birthday, resurfaced in 2011, it reignited curiosity and interest in the horological world, raising the question of its whereabouts.
As the story goes, Ono gifted Lennon the Patek Philippe 2499, a watch she had purchased from Tiffany's for about twenty-five thousand dollars at the time, for Lennon's fortieth birthday. The watch, now estimated to be worth ten million to forty million dollars, was highly sought after for its perpetual-calendar chronograph, a technological marvel known as a 'mechanical microcomputer.' It would be another five years (1985) before another watchmaking manufacturer could produce a perpetual calendar chronograph small enough to fit into a wristwatch. This particular watch is even more valuable as it bears coveted Patek Philippe and Tiffany stamps on its dial and has a personal message from Ono engraved on its back, the content of which was a mystery until a picture of the watch (front and back) was revealed.
After Lennon's death, Ono had placed it in a locked room in her apartment, where it remained for another 20 years until a trusted employee took it without Ono's knowledge. It took a few years for Ono to realize that the watch had been stolen, and as of today, it is still in legal proceedings to determine its final rightful owner (although all rulings so far have been favorable to Ono).
It's intriguing how a watch, beyond its technological allure, can embody so much drama and emotional turmoil and elicit so much chatter in the horological world. Sean Lennon, the son, has shared that the theft of this watch one of the most painful incidents of people stealing from his parents. This personal touch to the story has fascinated me, and I'm eagerly awaiting the final verdict from the Swiss tribunal, which is due later this year and will surely bring closure to this intriguing tale!
While an Erwin Sattler timepiece may not be embroiled in a legal drama of such high caliber, our pieces embody the top technological state-of-the-art quality that deserves the same amount of curiosity, desire, and emotional attachment. Our precision pendulum clocks, in particular, stand out with their unparalleled precision and quality. When you choose an Erwin Sattler timepiece, you can be confident that you're investing in excellence. Take a look below to see for yourself.
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