When pondering famous watch collectors, the image of the Dalai Lama might not immediately spring to mind. Yet, the 14th Dalai Lama, the revered spiritual leader of Tibet, harbours a surprising penchant for horology. Born in 1935, he has likely cultivated his collection far longer than many would expect, amassing a modest yet intriguing array of timepieces over the years. Before one raises eyebrows at the notion of a spiritual leader possessing worldly treasures, it's worth noting that the Dalai Lama's watches are gifts bestowed upon him. Who is he to refuse such offerings?
The Dalai Lama’s Patek Philippe Watch
Arguably the crown jewel of his collection, the Dalai Lama's most intricate and valuable timepiece came into his possession in 1943, at the tender age of eight. Presented by none other than President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the watch—a Patek Philippe pocket watch Ref. 658—was gifted by two members of the Office of Strategic Services, Brooke Dolan and Ilia Tolstoy, grandson of the renowned author Leo Tolstoy.
Boasting a plethora of complications including a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, moon phase, and split-seconds chronograph, the Patek Philippe Ref. 658 is a rarity, with only about 15 pieces produced during its production span from 1937 to the late 1950s. Given its scarcity and historical significance, estimating its value proves challenging. A similar Reference 658 with a black dial, labeled E. GÜBELIN, fetched $527,000 USD at auction. Considering the surge in luxury watch prices, the Dalai Lama's piece could easily surpass the million-dollar mark.
The Dalai Lama’s Rolex Watches
While none of the Dalai Lama's other watches boast the same illustrious backstory as his Patek Philippe, he has been spotted sporting a few Rolex timepieces. Among them is a gold Rolex Day-Date, presumably another gift. Although the model is likely a Ref. 18038, distinguished by its non-standard steel elastic bracelet—chosen, perhaps, for comfort in varying climates rather than adhering to Rolex's traditional style. The Day-Date Ref. 18038 with a blue dial commands around $16,000 USD on the secondary market.
In addition to the Day-Date, the Dalai Lama has been sighted wearing a two-tone Datejust on a jubilee bracelet. While exact identification proves tricky due to his preference for wearing watches with the case facing inward, distinguishing it from a Day-Date is possible, as the latter is exclusively offered in gold or platinum, while the Datejust comes in a two-tone variant.
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