A look back at the watchmaking passion of the actor who died last August, during the Aguttes auction of one of his Blancpain watches engraved with his initials.
Alain Delon was a lover of beautiful watch mechanisms, and had great taste. As evidenced by the auction of one of its Blancpain watches by Aguttes on December 9. She gives us the opportunity to discover part of her watch collection.
The actor, who died on August 18, had imposed a certain idea of French elegance, particularly through his watches. The timepiece that will go under the hammer at Aguttes on December 9 is a Villeret from Blancpain, estimated between €5,000 and €8,000. This 38 mm diameter chronograph in white gold is engraved on the back “AD November 8, 1995”. This watchmaking souvenir from Samurai will undoubtedly find a buyer.
Press Photo / Aguttes
Alain Delon, Cartier and its Tanks
On set as in his life, the actor has repeatedly demonstrated his love for the Cartier Tank. On several occasions, the French cinema legend has appeared with this watch on his wrist. He notably appears alongside director Jean-Pierre Melville on the set of the film A cop (1972), where both realize that they are wearing the exact same model. A model that followed him for years, from the Rounded Tank to the Tonneau Tank.
G. Botti/GAMMA RAPHO
A hundred models on sale
In 2012, we discovered the actor's deep taste for watchmaking, thanks to a sale by the Cornette Saint-Cyr house of part of his collection (more than 100 watches) at auction. In the sale catalog, we find the biggest brands such as Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Breitling, IWC, Blancpain and Cartier. The highlight of the show? A Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet, an iconic watch that we saw on the icon's wrist in several films, notably in Like a boomerang (1976), Cop's word (1985) or even Don't wake up a sleeping cop (1988). This was sold for €68,750.
Later, it was with an Octo Finissimo Automatic from Bvlgari. on the wrist that he received the honorary Palme d'Or rewarding his entire career, at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. A bold choice which testifies to the actor's taste for this extra-thin titanium watch, more contemporary than those to which he had accustomed us until then.
Photo Presse / IWC
Unique piece
In 2007, Geneva watchmaker FP Journe created a unique piece in collaboration with Alain Delon. It will be sold at auction for an amount of 160,000 Swiss francs, the entire sale will be donated to the IRP foundation fighting against paraplegia. This watch pays homage to the film The Cheetahdirected by the illustrious Luchino Visconti. Within a 40 mm diameter platinum case, the Octa Guépard presents a white gold dial engraved with three cheetahs, worked in the style of Rembrandt Bugatti, the actor's favorite sculptor. The movement is in rose gold. Nothing is too good for the French legend.
Press Photo / FP Journe
Finally, notice to vintage lovers: be aware that there are watches from the Alain Delon brand, marketed in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the Swiss watchmaker Aquastar. From the sporty diver to the elegant shaped watch, there is something for everyone. A great way to pay tribute to him.
