Jacqueline Kennedy’s Watch Breaks New World Record For Cartier Tank Replica Watches
Cartier wristwatch that belonged to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis broke a new world record for a Cartier Tank when it sold for $379,500 (£300,00 approx) at the Christie’s Rare Watches and American Icons auction in New York. The 18-carat gold Cartier Tank replica watch was made in 1962, a year after Kennedy became First Lady of the United States, and a year before the assassination of her husband JFK.
It was estimated to sell for between $60,000 and $120,000 (£47,000 – £95,000), the fact that tripled the higher prediction reflects its illustrious provenance. It would have originally cost a few hundred dollars and similar examples in the vintage market sell for around $3,000, according to John Reardon, Christie’s international head of watches.
The luxury Tank replica watches was a gift from Kennedy’s brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill in 1963. Its caseback is engraved with: “Stas to Jackie 23 Feb. 63 2:05 AM to 9:35 PM,” a reference to the start and stop times of the 50-Mile Hike in Palm Beach in 1963, which Radziwill completed alongside his friend Chuck Spalding and secret service agent Clint Hill.The hike was part of a nationwide public health initiative spearheaded by President Kennedy, who was concerned that Americans were becoming “soft”. The First Lady had challenged Radziwill – who was married to her sister at the time – to complete it, which he did in under 20 hours.