The man behind the Pop art movement may not be widely known as a watch collector, but Andy Warhol was actually more of a watch hoarder. Andy Warhol, né Andrew Warhola, the celebrated artist and filmmaker born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, is said to have owned in excess of 300 watches! Throughout his life Warhol was known for his personality, being both a notable society figure, businessman, and credible artist. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, he first became a notable artist in 1962 after his exhibition of Brillo soap boxes, Cambpell soup cans, and Coca-Cola bottles. A common theme in his art was to put on display the vanity of American consumer culture, something he showcased quite vividly.
Warhol’s Patek Philippe ref. 2526 / Credit: Hodinkee
In terms of watch collecting, there are a few brands Warhol was known to collect. Patek, Piaget, Cartier, and Rolex to name a few. And this is not at all an uncommon theme among those who move in art and design circles. Watches are, after all, art. Regarding Patek Philippe, there are two references that belonged to Warhol that have been sold by Christie’s. The first is a Patek Philippe ref. 2526 in 18k gold sold in 2013 by Christie’s. Warhol’s 2526 was manufactured in 1956 and sold in 1958, it featured the Cal. PP 12-600. It was previously sold in a Sotheby’s New York auction in 1988. The second is a reference 2503 with a yellow gold Markowsky case. This watch’s gold case had a beautiful, even eccentric curved case and featured the Cal. 9-90 and was also sold in the 1988 auction. It dates back to 1952 and was sold in 2016, again in a Christie’s auction. Another Warhol Patek that was sold in the famous 1988 Sotheby’s auction was his Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Moonphase ref. 3448. This was a 1977 timepiece that featured the Cal. 27-460 Q. Another one of the many Pateks owned by Warhol, this one selling above estimate for 293,000 CHF.
Andy Warhol / Credit: Prospect Magazine
Turning to Piaget, Warhol was also known as a collector of the brand. He even met Yves Piaget of the Piaget family in New York in the late 1970s for an interview, which started both their friendship and his Piaget collecting. Notably, Warhol was known to have worn a Piaget which featuring the Beta 21, which was re-issued by Piaget as the Vintage Inspiration Black Tie.
Apart from being a Patek Philippe and Piaget collector, Warhol is also known to have worn a Cartier Tank, even being recognized as one of the famous wearers of the Tank. Both the Tank and Warhol are design icons, so it makes sense that they came together. Warhol was often photographed wearing his Cartier Tank, a timepiece he wore often and claims he never wound!
A final big brand to mention for Warhol would be Rolex. And in another Christie’s auction in 2019, Warhol’s Rolex ref. 3525 chronograph sold for 471,000 CHF. This was a model that dates back to 1943 and featured the Valjoux Cal. 23 VZ. It is indeed another one of the famous timepieces from Sotheby’s 1988 New York auction. The ref. 3525 is notable not only for being part of Warhol’s collection but also for being dubbed the ‘POW’ or ‘Prisoner of War’ watch as it was sold directly by Rolex to imprisoned allied soldiers during WWII.
Warhol’s Rolex ref. 3525 chronograph / Credit: Christie’s
Apart from those ‘big name’ timepieces, Warhol is also known to have owned a Corum Coin Watch. This is a pretty mysterious timepiece but it is said to have stayed in Warhol’s collection until the 1990s before being sold to a private collector. It has since made its way back to the Corum museum. The Coin watches were famous for being worn by US Presidents, although not to the same extent as the Vulcain Cricket.
Much a reflection of the figure that was Andy Warhol in the 20th century, his watch collection was both diverse and original, but also full of iconic pieces – and pieces that have since become iconic. From the classic Cartier Tank to quirkier pieces like the solid gold Piaget or the Corum coin watch. You can certainly learn a lot about someone from their watch collection, and while guessing and theorizing as to ‘what the Cartier Tank meant’ to Andy Warhol isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon; it’s all the more fun to actually get to ask the person the story behind their own timepieces.
By: Andres Ibarguen
Warhol’s Patek Philippe ref. 2503 / Credit: Christie’s
Read more:
“Andy Warhol.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andy-Warhol.
“Patek Philippe. A Fine 18k Gold Automatic Wristwatch with Enamel Dial.” Christie’s, https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-patek-philippe-a-fine-18k-gold-automatic-5694635.
O'Donnell, Liam. The Unlikely Watch Collector: Andy Warhol.” Watchonista, https://www.watchonista.com/articles/history/unlikely-watch-collector-andy-warhol.
Wingold, Isaac. “Andy Warhol’s Patek Philippe Reference 2503.” Christie’s, https://www.christies.com/features/Andy-Warhols-Patek-Philippe-Reference-2503-7170-1.aspx.
“A FINE AND IMPORTANT YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON-PHASES REF 3448 MVT 1119511 CASE 332869 MADE IN 1977.” Sotheby’s, https://www.sothebys.com/fr/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/important-watches-ge1404/lot.358.html.
Zonino, Emile. “What secrets are hidden behind the Piaget watches worn by Andy Warhol?” Vogue, August, 6th, 2020, https://www.vogue.fr/jewelry/article/what-secrets-are-hidden-behind-the-piaget-watches-worn-by-andy-warhol.
Diehl, Matt. “Piaget Black Tie “Vintage Inspiration” Watch Hands-On.” aBlogtoWatch, February 15th, 2015, https://www.ablogtowatch.com/piaget-black-tie-vintage-inspiration-watch/.
Tindle, Hannah. “Why Andy Warhol Was Obsessed With His Cartier Wristwatch.” Another Mag, May 25th, 2017, https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/9862/why-andy-warhol-was-obsessed-with-his-cartier-wristwatch.
“Rolex. An extremely rare and highly attractive stainless steel and pink gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet.” Christie’s, https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6200133.
Tobler, Jim. “Andy Warhol Coin Watch.” Montecristo Magazine, https://montecristomagazine.com/style/andy-warhol-coin-watch.
Anderson, Caleb. “Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Corum Heritage Coin Watch.” Watch Time, November 4th, 2018, https://www.watchtime.com/featured/vintage-eye-for-the-modern-guy-corum-heritage-coin-watch/.
Editor’s note (08/06/2021): We wanted to add that another timepiece known to have been owned by Andy Warhol, a Patek Philippe ref. 570, is to be auction soon by Christie’s, see more here.