Robin Williams was an American actor and comedian who had preferences in watches which ran from the most classic and precise timepieces to bold, iconoclastic pieces. His watch collection included round, tonneau and rectangular shaped timepieces and he was infatuated with chronographs and multiple time zone watches. Williams’ taste in watches varied from pilot to diver watches and even included automatic, manual wound and quartz movements. Robin Williams collected timepieces from heritage brands as well as from independent watchmakers who are lesser-known.
On October 4 Sotheby’s will be selling a total of 45 watches that were previously owned by Robin Williams. “Creating A Stage: Collection of Marsha and Robin Williams,” will be a 309-lot auction of the couples collection that spans a variety of their assorted interests and careers. According to Forbes, the estimated prices for the watch collection range from $100 to a high of $35,000.
A Franck Muller Imperial tourbillon minute repeater, circa 1968 will be at the top lot for the watches portion of the auction. The white gold tonneau-shaped watch features a silvered guilloché dial and aperture at 6 o’clock for the one-minute tourbillon carriage and seconds indicator. At the 9 o’clock position is an indicator for the minute repeating power reserve. This piece in particular is one of Williams’ most complicated watches in his collection. Its estimated value is $25,000 to $35,000 and is one of four Franck Muller watches in the Sotheby’s sale.
One watch that is attracting the most interest is a Hamilton that Williams wore while filming “Dead Poets Society.” The rectangular quartz watch features a stainless steel caseback with the engraving, “Robin Williams Dead Poet Society 1988.” While the watch is gaining much attention, it is estimated for quite a low price of only $1,000 to $2,000.
Of course Williams’ favored a few certain brands, which is why the sale will be including six IWC watches. A Big Pilot, circa 2010, platinum watch with 7-day power reserve and date reference is the top lot in this group. Its estimated value is between $12,000 and $18,000.
There will also be five watches from the independent watchmaker Graham, which includes four left-handed Chronofighter chronographs, in the auction. Prices range from $1,200 to $4,000 for this specific group of timepieces.
The least expensive watch in his collection is a Luminox Series 1880 quartz chronograph, circa 2005. It’s one of few watches with estimates at or below $500. The estimated price of this piece is $100 to $200.
Sotheby’s sale will include film and entertainment memorabilia, such as autographed scripts, awards, props and wardrobe associated with projects across Marsha’s and Robin’s careers. Contemporary art, including sculpture by Niki de Saint-Phalle and street art by Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Invader will also be present during the auction.
