Elvis Presley's Watch Collection Including Rolex and Omega
Since the release of Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film Elvis starring Austin Butler in the titular role, there seems to be renewed interest in the legendary rock singer. The King of Rock and Roll was known for mixing of genres in his music, as well as his showmanship during performances. From Hound Dog, to Jailhouse Rock, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and many more, Elvis will be remembered as one of the greatest singers of all time. To go along with his larger than life personality, Elvis also had a larger than life watch collection. Elvis made sure his collection included some of the most popular timepieces of his time, including pices from Omega, Rolex and Hamilton. Let’s have a look at Elvis’ Watches.
Elvis Presley’s Omega Constellation
During the height of Elvis’ stardom he was drafted into the U.S. Army. While Elvis was offered the opportunity to enlist in Special Services to entertain the troops and live in priority housing, he decided to serve as a regular soldier (at the persuasion of his manager Colonel Tom Parker). Elvis wore one watch throughout his army service: a pink gold-plated stainless steel Omega Constellation. This classic timepiece had a black dial with cross-hair design and date at 3 o’clock. While this watch was from around 1960, it truly is a timeless design.
So what happened to Elvis’ Omega? Well, why serving in the army, Elvis became close friends with Charlie Hodge, a successful musician himself, who would eventually reside in Graceland with Elvis for almost two decades (and until Elvis’ death). Apparently Hodge was an admirer of Elvis’ Omega to the point Elvis gave him the watch. While Hodge died in 2006, the Omega was auctioned off by Antiquorum in 2012 and sold for $52,500 USD. That seems like quite the steel to us.
Elvis Presley’s Tiffany-Stamped Omega
Elvis’ wartime Constellation wasn’t the only Omega he owned in his lifetime. He was gifted another Omega by RCA Records to celebrate 75 million records sold. The watch has a white gold case with bezel set with 44 round brilliant diamonds. The watch was retailed by Tiffany & Co. and is stamped with Tiffany & Co. just under the Omega logo and name. Gifted to Elvis in 1961, the caseback is engraved and reads “To Elvis / 75 Million Records / RCA Victor / 12-25-60”.
The watch came up for auction in 2018 with Phillips and sold for $1,812,500 USD, a record price for an Omega watch.
Elvis Presley’s Hamilton Ventura
Hamilton watches has a lot of American history. So it makes sense that America’s biggest star in the 1950s and 1960s would have an American Made watch. The Hamilton Ventura has a bold an unconventional design perfect for Presley’s outsized personality. The watch has an asymmetrical triangular case and clear vintage vibes. The Hamilton Ventura became famous when Elvis wore it in the 1961 film Blue Hawaii. It has since been dubbed the “Elvis Watch”.
Today, Hamilton still sells the Ventura, and in multiple different colors, sizes and styles (including the Ventura Elvis80, which was released on what would have been Elvis’ 80th birthday. Many of the styles are offered for sale on Amazon.
Elvis Presley’s Rolex King Midas Ref. 9630
It may come as a surprise to some that the one Rolex designed by the legendary Gerald Genta is no longer in production. The watch was, unsurprisingly, named after the Midas from Greek mythology, and was made of solid gold. At the time of its release in the late 1960s, it was the most expensive watch offered by Rolex. Rolex only made 1,000 of the original King Midas watches and Elvis’ was number 343. It was a gift from the Houston Livestock Show Officers of all groups and the caseback was engraved with: “To Elvis Presley / From The Houston Livestock Show Officers / 1970."
Elvis Presley’s Rolex Submariner Big Crown Ref. 6538
Elvis’ King Midas was not the only Rolex in the King’s collection. Surprisingly very little is known about Elvis’ Rolex Submariner Big Crown Ref. 6538 (besides the fact that Elvis has been seen wearing it in the early 1960s). The Big Crown is among the most sought after vintage Submariners, perhaps due to the fact that Sean Connery wore the watch while playing James Bond in the 1962 film Dr. No. Only produced in the later 1950s, the Big Crown featured a red triangle on the bezel, an oversized 8mm crown (hence the name), and no crown guard. The Big Crown prices can fluctuate pretty wildly on the secondary market based on condition and rarity, but almost all of them are listed at $100,000 USD or more.
Elvis Presley’s Corum Buckingham
The final watch we are featuring from Elvis’ collection is another gold piece: the Corum Buckingham. Produced around 1960, the watch featured an oversized square 18 karat gold case case with gold dial. Elvis eventually gifted the watch to Richard Davis. Davis worked for Elvis until 1971 as a body guard, stand-in in 23 of Elvis’ movies and a wardrobe manager. He remained friendly with Elvis until his death.