Dwight Eisenhower's Rolex fails to meet reserve at $475k USD

[REDiesel]

I read a story a few months ago on this and thought it was interesting. The watch went up for auction yesterday and didn't meet reserve so if you didn't know about it and missed out on bidding there may be another chance.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...n-auction.html

I thought early chatter (hype) was that it might go for close to a million or break the current $1.2mil rolex record, but it looks like it fell short.

[MonBK]

Just as predicted.

[Armyguy03]

I'm actually surprised Rolex wouldn't grab this up for archival. Just my humble opinion but seems like a significant piece of history that they could hold onto and share for many more generations.

[Malak]

Rolex Datejust Ike often wore the watch.

[bobernet]

I'm really surprised. Seems it must have been poorly promoted. I can't imagine a Rolex collector with means wouldn't jump at the chance to own this.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Just as predicted.

Well I was trying to find the right emoticon to depict how right you were about this auction. I decided on

[SUBversive]

Jake has a well researched blog post about this watch i have read many years ago. Sorry for no link but its easy to find over there anyway. Since they decided to sell, they should have just taken the 475 and be done with it. Too bad they dont donate it to the smithsonian.

[Willygallardo]

Wooooo red date wheel :)

[Dvenus11]

defiantly surprised that it didn't sell as well.

[Armyguy03]

Originally Posted by Willygallardo

Wooooo red date wheel :)

Love your Signature - HOVA!

[Rock]

I'm never going to understand why something owned by a celebrity is worth more than the normal value of the item to people.
There are people that I admire, but want to own their watch? Nah!

[HogwldFLTR]

Maybe there aren't too many left who remember Dwight; the drop in value may be due to the length of time since Eisenhower's death. Now if it had been a President it would likely have sold for more.

[Time Exposure]

I would think the historical significance and solid provenance would have commanded higher bids. Few people remember Babe Ruth as a baseball player, and his memorabilia is always in demand.

[Investr]

I would have taken the 475k and re bought my Hulk, I miss him...

[1995akcoop]

man that watch is way over priced regardless of the previous owner

[handsfull]

I'm actually shocked it didn't sell for well over a million.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Maybe there aren't too many left who remember Dwight; the drop in value may be due to the length of time since Eisenhower's death. Now if it had been a President it would likely have sold for more.

This was my immediate thought when I first saw the thread title. Over half the country can't place WW II or the Civil War in the correct century. It is bizarre. In the UK, anniversary dates such as D-Day and VE Day are widely commemorated by all generations. Look at the recent "lights out" to observe the beginning of WW I.

That being said, someone observed this phenomena and opined that the US is a forward looking nation, with it's eyes always on the horizon. True, perhaps, but still sad.

[Vincent65]

Yep, just not 'cool' ! If it was a dead film-star's then...

[Ken B]

Originally Posted by Rock

I'm never going to understand why something owned by a celebrity is worth more than the normal value of the item to people.
There are people that I admire, but want to own their watch? Nah!

I totally agree, look at sports memorabilia. Look how much money is thrown at that.

On the other side of the coin, you really dicect this and we could all be wearing Casio or Timex and using flip phones. But as it is we buy Rolexes because we want them, not because we need them. It's about possessions and what floats your boat.

I personaly am not into the fan ownership thing. But some buy purely for investment because they know there are people that will pay a premium for these items.

[aardvarkbark]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Maybe there aren't too many left who remember Dwight...

He was the fifth Beatle, right? Maybe if it was Paul's or John's ...

[Mystro]

Its a beautiful watch but I guess they not like Ike.......? Its appalling how ignorant Americans have become with history. Then again our History channel has shows like "Hairy Bikers", Pawn Stars" and "Ice Road Truckers" on it should probably be a clue.

[Piloto]

Originally Posted by Beef

That being said, someone observed this phenomena and opined that the US is a forward looking nation, with it's eyes always on the horizon. True, perhaps, but still sad.

I can't really comment much further without crossing the political line. There are many points on a compass. Which horizon the "forward" people are looking at is what scares me. Yes, we have black marks in our past, but we also have so much more to be proud of.

What do they say about those that forget history...

Back on topic, I'm surprised the watch did not sell for more.

[Mystro]

I hear you and agree especially what you cant say here.

We WIS are also a dying breed which doesn't help the auction. If I was in a better financial situation this watch is exactly something I would aspire to bid on.

Originally Posted by Piloto

I can't really comment much further without crossing the political line. There are many points on a compass. Which horizon the "forward" people are looking at is what scares me. Yes, we have black marks in our past, but we also have so much more to be proud of.

What do they say about those that forget history...

Back on topic, I'm surprised the watch did not sell for more.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I hear you and agree especially what you cant say here.

We WIS are also a dying breed which doesn't help the auction. If I was in a better financial situation this watch is exactly something I would aspire to bid on.

Thinking the same thing

[SALTY]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Its a beautiful watch but I guess they not like Ike.......? Its appalling how ignorant Americans have become with history. Then again our History channel has shows like "Hairy Bikers", Pawn Stars" and "Ice Road Truckers" on it should probably be a clue.

All you have to do is watch one segment of Watter's World and you'll see that we are in trouble going forward.

[Ken B]

The last few posts in this thread have been very entertianing. You guys turned this watch not selling into we are all doomed when todays kids grow up.
There are lots of reasons this time piece didn't sell, however at that auction the only reason is they wanted to much money for it for the people bidding at that location.

[Case61]

Originally Posted by Ken B

The last few posts in this thread have been very entertianing. You guys turned this watch not selling into we are all doomed when todays kids grow up.
There are lots of reasons this time piece didn't sell, however at that auction the only reason is they wanted to much money for it for the people bidding at that location.

Good post.

[erling]

Why didn´t Rolex bring the watch back home and buy it?

[Seaswirl]

From what I've read, the watch's value was hampered by a replacement dial and heavy polishing over the years.

[Silvio Mosiello]

Id pay that for Sopranos DD.


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