Not many celebrity-owned watches tell a story quite as completely as this one. Not only was it owned and worn by Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, it was personally gifted to him by legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer and engraved to commemorate one of the defining films of Hackman's later career, Enemy of the State.

The engraving on the case back transforms this from a simple celebrity-owned watch into a direct artifact of Hollywood filmmaking. It connects two giants of the industry: Gene Hackman, one of the most respected actors of his generation and winner of two Academy Awards, and Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer behind some of the most successful films and television projects ever created. Rather than merely being associated with a movie, this watch was presented within the circle of people responsible for bringing that project to life.

Released in 1998, Enemy of the State paired Hackman with co-star Will Smith in a high-stakes political thriller that became one of the era's most memorable action films. Hackman's role as the elusive surveillance expert Edward "Brill" remains one of the standout performances of his later career. The case back engraving preserves a direct connection to that production and to the relationships formed behind the scenes during its creation.

The inscription carries added significance because Enemy of the State was not the first collaboration between Gene Hackman and Jerry Bruckheimer. The two had already worked together on the hit film Crimson Tide, making this watch a tangible reminder of a professional relationship that spanned multiple major Hollywood productions.

Gene Hackman:

Gene Hackman was one of the most acclaimed actors of the modern era, a two-time Academy Award winner whose career spanned more than four decades. He delivered unforgettable performances in films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Equally convincing as a hero, villain, or complex character somewhere in between, Hackman possessed a rare ability to bring authenticity and depth to every role he played.

His work earned him two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, two BAFTA Awards, the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, and the respect of generations of actors and filmmakers. Whether portraying hard-edged detectives, military leaders, coaches, politicians, or outlaws, he became one of the defining screen presences of his time. His portrayal of Popeye Doyle in The French Connection remains one of the most celebrated performances in American cinema and helped establish him as one of Hollywood's most formidable talents.

Beyond his many accolades, Hackman's legacy rests on the remarkable breadth and consistency of his work. Not many actors have built a filmography as respected or as enduring. Ownership of a personal possession from Gene Hackman offers a tangible connection to one of the greatest performers in motion picture history and to the extraordinary body of work he left behind.

The Watch:

The watch itself is a Victorinox Swiss Army chronograph with a clean white dial, three-register layout, date display, sapphire crystal, and integrated stainless steel bracelet.

Measuring 40mm excluding its crown and crown guards, it has a comfortable modern presence without feeling oversized.

It remains in overall very good condition. We have not cleaned or polished the watch - we left the outside as we acquired it which includes signs of Mr. Hackman's use.

On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has installed a new battery and performed any needed servicing on the movement making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

It is operating well.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate. Also accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.

For the collector of Hollywood memorabilia, Gene Hackman artifacts, or important celebrity-owned watches, it offers a rare opportunity to own an object that sits at the intersection of film history, personal provenance, and watchmaking.

Connoisseur of Time's Renowned Celebrity Collection:

Mr. Hackman's watch is part of our Celebrity Collection of watches that has been featured in GQ, Revolution Watch, Europa Star, JCK, Hampton's Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Vegas Magazine, Silicon Valley magazine and many others. eBay recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.

The collection has been composed of 135 watches and clocks owned or worn by 67 iconic celebrities and public figures. It may be the largest current collection of celebrity-owned watches in the world. It is constantly changing and is currently headlined by timepieces owned by some of the most legendary Hollywood actors and actresses, musicians, comedians, and entertainers:

The King, Elvis Presley. (Just sold)

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. (Just sold)

The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis.

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. (Just sold)

President Jimmy Carter.

Hollywood icons Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Steve McQueen, Martin Sheen, Cicely Tyson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Burt Reynolds, Laurence Olivier, James Arness, Betty White, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Hope, Greta Garbo, Raquel Welch, Mickey Rooney, Jane Fonda, and Joan and Melissa Rivers.

Legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, Richie Sambora, Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, Don Mclean, Mountain's Leslie West, and Hank Williams, Jr.

Sports great and soccer legend Pelé, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Yankee Hall of Fame great Lefty Gomez, World Cup winning captain and soccer defensive legend Daniel Passarella, and Green Bay Packer Mike Bucchianeri along with the game ball, signed photo and watch from the college football "all star" Blue Gray Game in 1940.

Further filling the current collection are watches or clocks from King Edward VIII and the Duchess of Windsor, beloved Hollywood host Ed Sullivan, renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy, Academy award-winning actresses Loretta Young and Doris Day, Whoopie Goldberg, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Emmy award-winning journalist Larry King, Emmy award-winning actor and producer Jerry Weintraub, Comedian Louie Anderson, Phyllis McGuire of the chart-topping McGuire sisters, Ian McDonald multi-instrumentalist English rocker for King Crimson and Foreigner, Elvira Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), fashion designer to the stars Nolan Miller, the watch worn by Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise then owned by Beatle George Harrison, and a watch worn by multiple characters in the television series "For All Mankind."

It also includes rare watches given by heads of state: A prototype 18K gold Buren Microrotor gifted by His Royal Majesty Ibn Saud, former King of Saudi Arabia; a Felsa given by former Libyan Colonel and Head of State Muammar Al Qathafi; a Longines given by Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa former Prime Minister of the State of Bahrain; a Baume & Mercier gifted by the King of Jordan. All three watches are new-old-stock in presentation shadow box frames with photos.

Recently sold was a watch given a handful of years after the Civil War concluded by the Vice President Elect to honor an Army commander who went on to receive the Medal of Honor.

This is a significant, exciting, and constantly changing new collection you won't want to miss! Stay tuned over the coming weeks for photos of other special pieces from the collection!

To view the first few already up for sale follow this link: https://shop.connoisseuroftime.com/collections/our-celebrity-owned-historical-event-watches?page=1&sort_by=created-descending

Manufacturer: Victorinox Swiss Army
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Year sold: c. 1997
Serial no.: 25568
Model: Chronograph, Ref. VXS20666
Designed for: Men
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Quick-Setting Date, Chronograph, Tachymeter
Case material: Stainless steel
Case Markings (outside): engraved "ENEMY OF THE STATE - 1997 - JERRY BRUCKHEIMER", no. 25568
Case condition: Very good condition with light surface wear consistent with signs of use
Dimensions: 40mm diameter excluding crown and crown guards; 45.5mm lug-to-lug
Dial: Original white dial with black Arabic numeral hour markers, three recessed chronograph registers, printed minute track, red Victorinox Swiss Army shield at twelve, date aperture at six, signed Swiss Army and Swiss Made.
Movement type: Swiss quartz chronograph movement
Band: Original signed stainless steel bracelet with signed deployment clasp, currently professionally sized for up to approximately 7.5 inches with additional links included to accommodate approximately 8.25 inches
Crystal: Flat sapphire glass crystal
Serviced: On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has installed a new battery and performed any needed servicing on the movement making it ready for immediate enjoyment. We have not cleaned or polished the watch - we left the outside as we acquired it which includes signs of Mr. Hackman's use.
Timing: On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has installed a new battery and performed any needed servicing on the movement making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It is operating well.
Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Connoisseur of Time timing certificate; Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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