Provenance is an important aspect of timepiece collecting for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that a stellar provenance can suggest greater desirability and, as a result, up the value of a watch. Its origin, ownership, or affiliation with any significant event, for example, are important attributes for collectors seeking originality and, perhaps, even some intrigue—particularly if there’s celebrity involved. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo just announced the top lot of The New York Watch Auction: XIII — Francis Ford Coppola’s one-of-one FFC Prototype wristwatch, made specifically for the 86-year-old legendary filmmaker. It checks all the boxes when it comes to star-power provenance: its origin is illustrious and it was crafted by the renowned Swiss watchmaker F. P Journe (François-Paul Journe), who tapped into the creative genius of award-winning American filmmaker Coppola. There is also a plethora of interesting stories surrounding the watch’s birth that surely up the interest factor for a potential buyer.
As is often the case with many great ideas, the watch’s first intimations sprang from a conversation. It took place at Coppola’s Inglenook Winery in Napa Valley, where the filmmaker purportedly asked the watchmaker if a likeness of a human hand had ever been used to indicate time. Enthralled by the notion of using a single five-finger hand to illustrate a 12-hour time period, the productive discussion went on for years until the problem was solved.
“Speaking with Francis [Coppola] in 2012 and hearing his idea on the use of a human hand to indicate time inspired me to create a watch I never could have imagined myself,” said Journe. “The challenge was formidable – exactly the type of watchmaking project I adore.” He further enthused, “After years of collaborating directly with Francis in the development process, it was a great pleasure to deliver this FFC Prototype to him in 2021.”
But that first meeting was itself a gift, from Coppola’s wife, Eleanor, whose Christmas present a few years earlier led to the eventual meeting of the two legends in California. In 2009, she gifted her husband an F. P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance in platinum with a white gold dial (also slated for the upcoming auction). Coppola subsequently extended an invitation to Journe to visit him at his winery, where the two conceived the unusual watch.
Two unique prototypes were created, one for Journe and one for Coppola, whose example is engraved with his name. Assembled by the timepiece master himself, it features steel bridges, a rotating white minutes ring, and a black-treated titanium hand.
“This FFC Prototype is more than a watch – it is a singular work of art, a technical marvel, and a deeply personal object, made for one of the greatest filmmakers of all time,” shared Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas, for Phillips. “Its incredible provenance, remarkable creativity, and exceptional rarity place it firmly amongst the most important timepieces ever to appear at auction, and we are thrilled to present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our international community.” The hammer price is expected to exceed $1 million.
But Coppola’s interest in watches was not limited to the unlimited extravagance of the FFC Prototype and the Chronomètre à Résonance. Additional watches from the director’s personal collection will be offered on December 6 and 7, including the Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5130G, Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3919, Breguet Classique Ref. 5140, Blancpain Minute Repeater, and IWC Portugieser Chronograph.