FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
AuctionsDec 11, 2017
Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Philippe Sells for $281K
The baseball legend owned the Ref. 130 for more than 50 years.
It’s believed that the owners of the New York Yankees gave Joe DiMaggio his Patek Philippe Ref. 130, pictured here, in 1948.
New York--Christie’s New York put a pretty special lot on the auction block Thursday evening: a historically significant watch owned by a baseball legend.
A highlight of the auction house’s “An Evening of Exceptional Watches” sale was Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Phillipe Ref. 130, a watch he owned for more than 50 years and which sold for $281,250 (including buyer’s premium).
Its hammer price put it right in its pre-sale estimate range of $150,000 to $300,000.
The Ref. 130 was first chronograph to be given a reference number. Patek Phillipe launched it in 1934 and produced it until the 1960s. The 18-karat gold chronograph wristwatch features applied gold Breguet numerals set against a silvered dial.
“The fact that these numerals were Arabic, rather than Roman, shows that the piece was specifically made for American tastes,” said John Reardon, international head of Christie’s watch department. “The likes of Howard Hughes and (aviation pioneer) William Boeing were especially fond of them, and they helped start a trend on this side of the Atlantic, whereas in Europe watches still tended to bear Roman numerals.”
The DiMaggio Ref. 130 sold at Christie’s also had with what the auction house thought could be its original strap, likely the one worn by the baseball player himself.
DiMaggio is regarded as one of the most legendary players to ever wear the blue-and-white pinstripes of the New York Yankees.
He set a record in 1941 when he went on a 56-game hitting streak, and he won nine World Series titles during his 13 years with the New York Yankees (1936 to 1951; he served for three years as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps during WWII).
Following his retirement in 1951, DiMaggio was married to Marilyn Monroe briefly.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
Details around the original purchase of the hall of famer’s Patek Philippe Ref. 130 aren’t clear, but some believe that the owners of the New York Yankees gave the timepiece to DiMaggio. He acquired it in 1948 and kept it until his death in 1999.
The watch went to auction in 2006 at Hunt Auctions as part of the Joe DiMaggio Auction and had been in a private collection since.
It also was one of the highlights of the Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition held in New York this year.
“An Evening of Exceptional Watches” totaled $9.9 million at Christie’s.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Leading the sale was a Rolex Oyster Sotto Daytona Ref. 6263 signed by Paul Newman that sold for $1.1 million.
Another Rolex appeared at No. 2, this one a 14-karat gold version of the John Player Special Paul Newman Ref. 6241. It garnered $672,500 Thursday evening.
The sale also put on the block a Cresarrow Watch Co. silver travel watch once owned by Amelia Earhart.
Amy Johnson, an iconic British aviator, gave it to Earhart as a gift. The caseback is engraved with the words “To Amelia, In Sincere Admiration, Amy.” When she received the watch in 1932, Earhart already had earned the title of the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
It sold for $75,000.
Another Rolex appeared at No. 2, this one a 14-karat gold version of the John Player Special Paul Newman Ref. 6241. It garnered $672,500 Thursday evening.
The sale also put on the block a Cresarrow Watch Co. silver travel watch once owned by Amelia Earhart.
Amy Johnson, an iconic British aviator, gave it to Earhart as a gift. The caseback is engraved with the words “To Amelia, In Sincere Admiration, Amy.” When she received the watch in 1932, Earhart already had earned the title of the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
It sold for $75,000.
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
