Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
A Rolex watch worn by Jack Nicklaus for more than half a century has sold for over $1MILLION at an auction in New York City.
The 18-karat-gold Rolex 1803 Day-Date watch was gifted to the Golden Bear by the luxury timepiece brand in 1967 and he went on to wear it during 12 of his record 18 major championship victories.
Similar watches from the same time period routinely fetch for between $10,000 and $12,000 but Nicklaus’ fetched an incredible $1.22million at an auction hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo.
• Presidents Cup – How and when to watch on TV
“Our friendship is over” – Pro blasts Reed
Nicklaus is donating the entire sum to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
WATCH – HOW TO SHOOT LOWER SCORES
The 80-year-old has previously explained just how much the watch means to him.
He said: “We were at the Canada Cup matches in Tokyo [in 1967]. Arnold [Palmer], Gary [Player] and I went to a Rolex cocktail party and as a thank you Rolex asked me to pick out a watch. I picked this golden Day-Date because Gary, who was with Rolex at the time, told me, ‘That’s the best one.’
• Rory rules out playing in Saudi Arabia
“I’ve worn it virtually everywhere I’ve ever been since then. It’s witnessed all the tournaments that I’ve won, all the honours that I’ve had around the world.
“It’s been to a lot of special places. I never owned a watch before this watch. I have other watches, I’ve had a lot of other watches, but this is the only one I ever wear.”
Watch website Hodinkee has previously described it as “among the top three most important watches in sports – ever.”
WIN A PRIZE A DAY WITH OUR ADVENT CALENDAR!
Whilst reaching seven figures, Nicklaus’ timepiece still fell some way short of matching the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
A 1932 Patek Phillippe pocket watch fetched an eye-watering $31MILLION when it went under the hammer earlier this year, eclipsing the previous record ($17.7m) set in 2017 by a Rolex Daytona once owned by Hollywood icon Paul Newman.
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses