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Lot Essay
Accompanied by an Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirming the date of manufacture of this wristwatch with radium numerals as 1920 and its subsequent sale on August 8th, 1922.
To the best of our knowledge, the present watch has never before appeared at auction.
The reverse of this wristwatch features the presentation inscription, "PRESENTED TO GENE SARAZEN BY THE APAWAMIS CLUB WHERE HE STARTED HIS GOLF JULY 24 1922."
This lot is further accompanied by a signed image of Gene Sarazen (pictured on the left) and a two-page letter from Gene Sarazen to a Mr. McGrath, dated Nov. 3-1992. He details how he received the watch as a gift from the Apawamis club, where he had first been a caddy, in 1922 after winning the Open Championship. The letter further records how he had gifted the watch and writes to Mr. McGrath concerning his purchase of the watch from this party.
Gene Sarazen (1902-1999) remains one of the all-time great American golfers to have ever picked up a club in competition. He was the first golfer, and to date one of only five players, to win the career Grand Slam, with victories in each of golf's four professional majors. Over his career he won 39 tour victories and 7 major championships (the Masters in 1935, the U.S. Open in 1922 and 1932, the British Open in 1932 and the PGA Championship in 1922, 1923 and 1933). Sarazen was honored as a Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a Recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the first golfer to receive the PGA's Lifetime Achievement Award and played on 6 U.S. Ryder Cup teams. In addition to his many accomplishments and recognitions, he also invented the sand wedge which he debuted at the British Open in 1932, the year he won.
To the best of our knowledge, the present watch has never before appeared at auction.
The reverse of this wristwatch features the presentation inscription, "PRESENTED TO GENE SARAZEN BY THE APAWAMIS CLUB WHERE HE STARTED HIS GOLF JULY 24 1922."
This lot is further accompanied by a signed image of Gene Sarazen (pictured on the left) and a two-page letter from Gene Sarazen to a Mr. McGrath, dated Nov. 3-1992. He details how he received the watch as a gift from the Apawamis club, where he had first been a caddy, in 1922 after winning the Open Championship. The letter further records how he had gifted the watch and writes to Mr. McGrath concerning his purchase of the watch from this party.
Gene Sarazen (1902-1999) remains one of the all-time great American golfers to have ever picked up a club in competition. He was the first golfer, and to date one of only five players, to win the career Grand Slam, with victories in each of golf's four professional majors. Over his career he won 39 tour victories and 7 major championships (the Masters in 1935, the U.S. Open in 1922 and 1932, the British Open in 1932 and the PGA Championship in 1922, 1923 and 1933). Sarazen was honored as a Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a Recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award, the first golfer to receive the PGA's Lifetime Achievement Award and played on 6 U.S. Ryder Cup teams. In addition to his many accomplishments and recognitions, he also invented the sand wedge which he debuted at the British Open in 1932, the year he won.