The Mysterious Case of John Lennon’s Patek Philippe Watch

John Lennon’s Patek Philippe watch, a rare timepiece gifted to him by his wife, Yoko Ono, for his 40th birthday in October 1980, has become the subject of mystery and intrigue. The watch, a Patek Philippe reference 2499 in yellow gold, is considered one of the most prestigious and collectible watches in the world. It would have cost Yoko Ono around $25,000 from Tiffany on Fifth Avenue, in 1980, and could well fetch an estimated $10-$40 million dollars at auction today.

After Lennon’s tragic death in December 1980, Yoko Ono placed what has since become known as the ‘Lennon Patek’ in a locked room of her apartment at the famous Dakota building, from which it later disappeared under unclear circumstances. For decades, its whereabouts remained unknown, fuelling speculation and rumours within the watch collecting community. In 2020, the watch resurfaced in an unexpected location, at a watchmaker’s shop in Geneva, Switzerland; the news finally announced in September 2023 by Philippe’s executive, Arthur Touchet – on Instagram.

Rumoured to have been stolen from that locked room in the Dakota in 2005 (with many believing the thief to be Lennon’s former chauffer), the watch wound its way to two European auction houses and is now involved in an ongoing Swiss lawsuit. Is the rightful owner Yoko Ono, or the unnamed man who maintains he legally bought the watch in 2014? Switzerland’s Supreme Court will apparently reach a verdict later this year; in the meantime, the watch remains under safe lock and key in Geneva.

The case highlights the allure and mystery surrounding rare and valuable collectibles, especially those with ties to iconic figures like John Lennon, and, of course, the importance of insurance. There’s no evidence that the watch was insured; no public records or statements from Yoko Ono or John Lennon’s estate have confirmed whether the watch had an insurance policy in place at the time of its disappearance.

Given the rarity and value of the Patek Philippe Ref. 2499, it would have been a prudent move to insure this precious timepiece, but without further information, the question of whether Lennon’s watch was insured remains one of many unknowns in this fascinating mystery.

High value watches and jewellery need high value insurance. Ascend Executive can assist you in ensuring your prized possessions are comprehensively covered. Contact us today on 01245 449060 or email Amy.English@ascendbroking.co.uk.