Sylvester Stallone’s US$6.7 million watch auction at Sotheby’s: from the Panerai watches he put on the map to his Rolex Day-Date and the holy grail – the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime

Jun 8 , 2024

Rocky star Sylvester Stallone’s 11-piece collection just fetched millions at Sotheby’s “The Important Watches” auction in New York, on June 5. Photo: EPA-EFE

On June 5, Sylvester Stallone auctioned off a significant portion of his watch collection, including one of the rarest and most highly sought-after holy grail watches – ultimately fetching a total of US$6.7 million in sales.

A Piaget Polo Grande watch owned by Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone. Photo: EPA-EFE

The 11-piece collection, managed by Sotheby’s, provides fascinating insight into the tastes of one of the most respected celebrity watch collectors of recent decades. Stallone, who had his break 50 years ago with the 1976 film Rocky, became a genre-defining action star, amassing hundreds of millions, per Celebrity Net Worth, and acquiring rare, enviable watches along the way.

So why did he decide to sell? Speaking to Sotheby’s, Stallone shared an anecdote about a fan encounter that put his love of horology into perspective.

“It’s not about the time, it’s about the sense of accomplishment. I’m gonna reward myself for doing something right in my life,” he explained. “And that’s what watch collecting is to me. It’s not about keeping time, it’s about keeping in step with where you are in life.”

Sylvester Stallone’s Panerai watches were on auction on June 5. Photo: EPA-EFE

Stallone, like his fellow action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a known fan of Panerais, so Paneristas likely benefited from the auction. However, the undisputed highlight was his Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime – considered the most complicated watch ever made by the Genevan brand with 20 complications – and Stallone’s version is still factory-sealed.

Here are our seven top timepieces from his collection that just went to auction:

1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime

A Patek Philippe Reference 6300G-010 Grandmaster Chime watch owned by Sylvester Stallone, circa 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE

All eyes were on this holy grail of holy grails, which was expected to fetch between US$2.5 million to US$5 million. In the end, it went for US$5.4 million.

What makes this piece unique is not just its incredible craftsmanship, but also that it’s the first time a Grandmaster Chime – typically secured through a lottery for loyal Patek Philippe customers – has been available at auction, save for one model that was created specially for a charity auction in 2019.

“The watch community already had an enormous amount of respect for Sly, but I think it surprised a lot of people to learn that he owns the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime,” said Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s head of watches in Americas.

A close up of Sylvester Stallone’s Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, deemed a holy grail in the watchmaking world. Photo: EPA-EFE

The watch takes a staggering 100,000 hours to produce, featuring two independent dials, a reversible case and five chiming modes. Stallone’s unworn version is still in its factory-sealed sleeve, meaning it’s in mint condition, and comes with an array of luxurious extras: a presentation box engraved with Stallone’s name, a certificate of origin, a travel case, cufflinks, a USB drive, an Apple iPad with a Patek Philippe leather case and Apple earpods, also with a Patek Philippe case.

2. Patek Philippe 5711 Nautilus in olive green

Sylvester Stallone’s watches ultimately fetched a total of US$6.7 million in sales at auction. Photo: AP

Another relatively rare Patek Philippe, this Nautilus with a sunburst olive green dial was part of a limited edition farewell collection produced in 2021 after the watchmaker announced the discontinuation of the stainless steel 5711-1A-010 reference.

Stallone managed to acquire one of these highly sought-after timepieces, opting for the 5711/1300A with a bezel adorned with 32 Top Wesselton baguette diamonds. This watch even comes with a personally signed handwritten note from the star. It went for US$492,000.

3. Panerai Luminor Submersible Slytech “Piece Unique” in yellow gold

Sylvester Stallone’s collection included a few Panerais. Photo: AP

Stallone is widely known for putting Panerai on the map, so it’s no surprise that this auction lot included several Panerais. One stand-out piece, made especially for Stallone by the Italian watchmaker in 2006, is a dazzling one-of-one yellow gold chronograph with a black dial. This special edition feels like an elevation from the rugged Panerais he’s been known to wear in his action films, making it all the more special for cult collectors of the brand. This unique reference, PAM00269, went for US$90,000.

4. Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950

The Luminor Submersible 1950 watch was worn by Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 2. Photo: EPA-EFE

Speaking of rough-and-tumble timepieces Stallone has worn in his films, this Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 is the watch he wore on screen in The Expendables 2. Featuring a unique bronze face and a distinguished, time-weathered look, the PAM 382 model is considered a holy grail among Paneristas and collectors, who have nicknamed it the “Bronzo”. It sold for US$96,000.

5. Engraved Rolex Day-Date Ref. 228235

The Rolex Day-Date is often called the “president’s watch”. Photo: EPA-EFE

Flip this gorgeous Rolex over to find the superstar’s nickname, “Sly”, engraved on the back. The Day-Date is often called “the president’s watch” due to its association with leaders and influencers, and the special rose gold reference 228235 was released to mark the 60th anniversary of this iconic model. With a hunter green dial and fluted bezel, this refined timepiece sold for US$96,000.

6. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 50th anniversary

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon 50th anniversary and two Patek Philippe Nautilus watches. Photo: AP

The iconic model that saved Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak, remains one of the most sought-after luxury watches on the market. Featuring a smoky blue dial with the brand’s signature grande tapisserie pattern, this 50th anniversary tourbillon edition, crafted in 2022 with a pink gold case, is a fitting tribute to the design icon. It was auctioned for US$228,000.

7. Engraved Cartier Pasha Seatimer

A Pasha Seatimer engraved watch owned by Sylvester Stallone, circa 2010. Photo: EPA-EFE

This is another fascinating piece of Sly Stallone memorabilia that’s bound to excite collectors. This unusually sporty Cartier watch is visually intriguing, blending old French aesthetics with a sort of seafaring, rugged design. It combines yellow gold with black rubber and features a personalised engraving of Stallone’s name on the back. It sold for US$66,000.

Timepieces

The holy grail of the auction was the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, considered the most complicated timepiece ever made – and Stallone’s version is still factory-sealed
Other watches from his 11-piece collection sold at Sotheby’s include the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 50th anniversary, an engraved Cartier, and the Panerai ‘Bronzo’ that he wore in The Expendables 2