Luxury Watches Owned by Sir Michael Parkinson Fetch £66,560 at Auction

A collection of six luxury watches previously owned by renowned broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson sold for a remarkable total of £66,560 at an auction held by Ewbank’s on September 24, 2023. This figure nearly doubles the high estimate of £36,900, showcasing the enduring appeal of the legendary chat show host.

The watches, which included notable pieces from prestigious brands, were regularly seen on Parkinson during high-profile interviews with celebrities and sports figures. Among the standout items was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date, which Parkinson wore while interviewing cricket icon Shane Warne in 2007. Parkinson’s family shared that he wished to be “as well accoutred as the legendary Australian player – ‘the greatest spin bowler of them all,’ as Parkinson billed him” during that memorable occasion. The Rolex, initially estimated to sell for between £7,500 and £8,500, ultimately fetched an impressive £17,550.

Highlights from the Auction

Another highlight of the auction was a Patek Philippe Gondolo gold wristwatch, which Parkinson wore during his 2004 interview with Tom Cruise and throughout most of his tenure on ITV from 2004 to 2008. Estimated at £5,800 to £6,800, it sold for £11,050.

Other notable pieces included a Patek Philippe Calatrava gold wristwatch, estimated at £7,100 to £8,100, which achieved £14,950; an A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia gold wristwatch, initially estimated at £5,000 to £6,000, that reached £11,700; a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust, which sold for £9,100 against a pre-auction estimate of £4,500 to £5,500; and an IWC Mark XVI Flieger Uhr stainless steel wristwatch, which fetched £2,210, surpassing its estimate of £1,000 to £2,000.

A Legacy Remembered

The decision to auction the collection came after Parkinson’s family reflected on the future of the watches. “They are lovely watches but no one in the family is going to wear them,” said his son Mike Parkinson. “My father would have been the first person to say, don’t just leave them in a drawer, do something with them. We thought it would be nice for those who admired my father to have the opportunity to acquire something personal of his like this.”

Ewbank’s consultant specialist Nick Orringe, who collaborated with Parkinson on the television antiques programme *Going For A Song* in the late 1990s, reflected on Parkinson’s legacy, stating, “Whether in print, on radio or as host of Britain’s most iconic talk show, Sir Michael Parkinson was a household name for a generation.” He emphasized the personal connection these watches offered to fans of the broadcaster, noting that the auction results exemplify Parkinson’s esteemed standing with the public.

Mike Parkinson concluded, “We haven’t decided what we will do with the proceeds from the sale yet, but we will ensure that it is used in a way that he would have approved of.”

Ewbank’s, located in Send, near Woking, specializes in auctions of fine art, antiques, and collectibles. More information about their upcoming auctions can be found at www.ewbankauctions.co.uk.