Born in Surrey, England on March 30, 1945, Eric Clapton became captivated by music at an early age. He surrounded himself with music of acoustic Delta blues legend Robert Johnson, the electric sound of Chicago bluesman Muddy Waters, and any other blues record he could get his hands on. During his music career, Clapton has proved time and time again his status as a master bluesman, playing in such influential bands as the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes, and as a legendary solo artist. He has established his own distinct style while always paying homage to his early influences. Clapton's lifetime achievements are no less staggering. He remains the only artist to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame three times - for his work as a solo performer, and his work with the Yardbirds and Cream. During the last several years he has been devoted to the Crossroads Centre at Antigua, an international non-profit facility he established for alcohol and drug dependency treatment. The Crossroads Centre gets it name directly from the lyrics of Clapton's song Let it Grow, ("Standing at the Crossroads, trying to read the signs, to tell me which way I should go, to find the answer"), however the symbol of the crossroads lies much deeper in the blues idiom. From the classic Robert Johnson song Crossroads, to the blues legend that tells of the Devil teaching man the blues at a crossroads in Mississippi, the symbol is indelible. The following selection of fine and rare Rolex and Patek Philippe wristwatches demonstrates Clapton's passion and precision as a collector.

Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel water-resistant chronograph wristwatch with champagne dial

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER CHRONOGRAPH, ANTIMAGNETIC, REF. 3525, CIRCA 1940

Details

Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel water-resistant chronograph wristwatch with champagne dial
Signed Rolex, Oyster Chronograph, Antimagnetic, Ref. 3525, circa 1940
With nickel-finished lever movement, 17 jewels, the champagne dial with black Arabic and baton numerals, luminous accents to the yellow gold alpha hands, outer blue telemeter scale bordered by outer black tachometer scale, two large engine-turned subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds and 30 minute register, the circular water-resistant-type case with screw back and screw down crown, downturned lugs, two round chronograph buttons in the band, case, dial and movement signed
35 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

Production of this model, reference 3525, began circa 1940. Examples are illustrated in The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches by James M. Dowling & Jeffrey P. Hess, p. 218; and in Rolex Wristwatches by Osvaldo Patrizzi, p. 181.

;

View all

15 Dec Article

Virtual tour: Asian Art Week

15 Mar Article

How Antoine-Ignace Melling conquered Constantinople — then became the darling of Paris

More from Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches Featuring Property

View All