Few watches manage to enter a realm that is seemingly mythological, having a complex personal narrative that follows the timepiece everywhere it goes, regardless of how many owners it may have. When many collectors are pressed to think of famous watches, the most common answer is usually something about Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Cosmograph. And while that watch is arguably the most famous watch in the world, it is not the only one to have been worn by a celebrity, and to become closely associated with them after their death.
A major court case involving one of the greatest musicians of the modern era, and his watch, has recently come to light. Because the case has major implications in the horological community, Rubber B felt it was important to share the available details of the case with you.
For many years, John Lennon’s Patek Philippe was believed to have been forever lost after his tragic murder in New York City in 1980. However, as will be further explained below, the watch was recently rediscovered, and its discovery would begin a court case spanning multiple nations and several decades of unanswered questions.
The Murder of John Lennon
In the late evening of December 8th, 1980, John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, were returning to the Dakota Hotel after a day spent at a nearby recording studio in New York City. Mark David Chapman, a fan who had been suffering from severe mental illness, including paranoid delusions, fatally shot Lennon four times. The incident would forever change musical history and the landscape of American and British culture.
Upon his death, his personal belongings were cataloged by the police and then returned to Ono. One of these items was an extremely rare Patek Philippe watch that she had bought for Lennon only a few months before his murder. The watch was engraved with a lyric from a song the two had been recording after reuniting from a brief separation.
The Mysterious Disappearance of the John Lennon Watch
Though it is unclear when this happened exactly, at some point, likely in the early 2000’s, the watch was stolen from Ono. While the thief was never officially caught, it is likely that the culprit is Ono’s former driver, Koral Karsan. Karsan had worked for Ono as a private driver for several years, and he also claimed to have had a romantic relationship with her as well.
However, at some point, the two had a falling out. In 2006, Karsan was arrested for attempting to blackmail Ono for $2 million. If she did not comply, he would release embarrassing audio recordings and pictures that he’d secretly taken of her. He also threatened to kill Ono and her son, musician Sean Ono Lennon. He would plead guilty in court to a lesser charge in order to avoid a trial and would be swiftly deported to his native country of Turkey afterward.
The Watch Resurfaces in a Private Collection
In 2013, the watch would make its way to a German auction house, Auctionata, via a man named Erhan G., who had received almost 100 personal items of Lennon’s from Karsan. His highly distinct Patek Philippe wristwatch was among those items. However, there was a question over the ownership of several of the items, including the watch. The auction house decided to privately sell the watch to an Italian collector who was living in Hong Kong. It should be noted that this was not legal and that reputable auction houses do not operate in this fashion.
In what seems like a profoundly unwise decision, the man who purchased the watch then inquired about selling it to Christie’s. Christie’s, who has a reputation to uphold, immediately notified Ono about the missing watch. This would then trigger a lawsuit from Ono, who rightfully claimed that the watch had been stolen from her.
A Lengthy Court Case and A Rightful Restoration
An agreement was made in 2015 that the watch would be held by a neutral party in Geneva, Switzerland until a court could formally determine who the legal owner of the watch was.
The case would take an astounding eight years to complete. In 2023, a court decided that Ono was the rightful owner of the watch. Though the Italian ex-pat who purchased the watch can appeal the decision, it is unlikely that the court will find a decision in his favor.
What Separates Rubber B From Other Watch Straps?
In recent years, Rubber B has continually revitalized the alternative watchband market by creating additional, first-ever calibrations for watches without integrated rubber straps. These include such pieces as the Panerai Luminor 44mm, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Audemars Piguet 41mm, and the AP Offshore models 42mm and 44mm. Additionally, Rubber B introduced the first-ever rubber watch straps for the Tudor Black Bay 41mm, the Tudor Fifty-Eight, and the Tudor Black Bay Pro. Each watch strap has been engineered to perfectly and flawlessly mount its corresponding model without any gap at the case or rotation on the spring bar.
Rubber B watch straps do not contain any coating, blends, or bonding, and each and every strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets quality control standards.
Do You Need a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
Rubber B watch straps do not contain any coating, blends, or bonding, and each and every strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets quality control standards.
If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.
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