Today's auction showcases this Krieger Afficianado mens automatic chronograph owned and worn by Kenny Rogers, Country Music Hall of Fame member and one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime.

The watch features a full size case with hinged lugs. It measures 43.5mm in diameter including the crown guards but excluding the crown and pushers.

Its bezel has gold tabs and its gloss black dial has beautiful gilt printing luminous plots.

Powering the watch is a very fine Swiss made complicated mechanical automatic chronograph movement based on the renowned Valjoux 7750 movement found in many chronographs made by Breitling, Tudor, Tag Heuer, Omega, and IWC.

The movement was officially certified as chronometer by the Contrôle officiel suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, which is the institute responsible for certifying the accuracy and precision of Swiss watches. The case back is an exhibition style with sapphire crystal to show-off the very fine movement.

One of the coolest things about this watch is its level of wear. While it is still in very serviceable condition, it was clearly worn many times and seems to have been one of his regularly worn watches. Think of the events this watch has seen!

We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it...we left it just as Mr. Rogers used it which includes a good bit of dirt, etc. The only overhauling we did was to the inside of the watch to make it ready for years of future immediate enjoyment.

One of our Master Watchmakers, fully serviced it, which consisted of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn parts, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value).

It is keeping time on par with a brand new fine watch in our testing. Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function.

Accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house and a Certificate of Authenticity from Connoisseur of Time.

The Krieger Afficianado's original retail price was $3000.

Kenneth Ray Rogers: A Musical Maestro's Journey

Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an esteemed American singer, songwriter, and visionary who left an indelible mark on the world of music. Renowned for his captivating voice and profound songwriting, he forged a remarkable career that spanned multiple genres and captivated the hearts of millions. 

Rogers' musical prowess and influential contributions led to his well-deserved induction into the esteemed Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, a testament to his enduring impact on the music landscape. With over 120 hit singles and more than 100 million records sold worldwide, he stands as one of the most successful and best-selling artists in history. 

Throughout his illustrious career, Rogers fearlessly embraced diverse musical genres, seamlessly crossing boundaries between jazz, folk, pop, rock, and country. This versatility made him one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time, leaving an indelible impact on the industry. 

His musical journey began in the late 1950s, recording with the Houston-based group, the Scholars, and later venturing into solo releases. In 1966, Rogers joined the revered folk ensemble, the New Christy Minstrels, showcasing his talents on various instruments and vocals. 

Rogers' destiny truly crystallized when he co-founded the groundbreaking group, the First Edition, after leaving the New Christy Minstrels. Their collaboration produced chart-topping hits, including the psychedelic rock anthem "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." As Rogers assumed a greater leadership role, their sound evolved towards a distinct country feel. After the band disbanded in 1975–76, Rogers embarked on a remarkable solo career that solidified his status as a musical legend. 

Throughout his solo endeavors, Rogers collaborated with esteemed singers like Dottie West, Dolly Parton, and Sheena Easton, creating unforgettable duets. His songwriting partnership with Lionel Richie resulted in timeless compositions that showcased his lyrical genius. 

Rogers' magnum opus arrived in the form of his signature song, the iconic "The Gambler" released in 1978. This crossover hit garnered him a prestigious Grammy Award in 1980 and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018. Building on this triumph, Rogers astutely brought his Gambler persona to life in a highly successful series of television films. 

Beyond his musical achievements, Rogers' albums achieved legendary status and were recognized in the About.com poll of "The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever." In 1986, he was voted the "Favorite Singer of All Time" by readers of USA Today and People. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including AMAs, Grammys, ACMs, and CMAs, as well as a lifetime achievement award for his six-decade-spanning career in 2003. 

Rogers' influence extended to the realms of acting, with roles in movies and television shows, including his portrayal of the title character in "Kenny Rogers as The Gambler" and the feature film "Six Pack." He also co-founded the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters, which achieved widespread success. 

Kenneth Ray Rogers was a true musical maestro whose legacy lives on through his timeless songs and unforgettable performances. His exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and ability to transcend genres continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.

Connoisseur of Time Celebrity Collection:

I'm excited to have launched a collection that is composed of 83 watches and clocks owned or worn by 42 iconic celebrities and public figures. It may be the largest current collection of celebrity-owned watches in the world. It will be 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.

The King of Comedy, Jerry Lewis.

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince

Hollywood icons Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Betty White, Olivia Newton-John, Bob Hope, Greta Garbo, and Mickey Rooney.

Legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, Don Mclean, Leslie West, and Hank Williams, Jr.

Sports great and soccer legend Pelé, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Yankee great Lefty Gomez, 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 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, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Phyllis McGuire of the chart-topping McGuire sisters, Elvira Mistress of the Dark (Cassandra Peterson), fashion designer to the stars Nolan Miller, 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: Krieger
• Country of Manufacture: Switzerland
• Serial no.: No. 326
• Model: Ref. B929
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Two-Register Chronograph, Subsidiary Seconds, Quick-Setting Day, Quick-Setting Date
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: Stainless steel with 18K gold bezel tabs
• Case condition: Very good condition with signs of previous wear by Mr. Rogers
• Dimensions: 42mm wide (excluding crown but including guards)
• Dial: Gloss black with gilt printing, subdials for the seconds and chronograph registers, luminous dots indices in 18K gold surrounds, aperture for the date at three, signed Krieger, mint condition
• Movement type: Kreiger, automatic, officially certified as a chronometer, based on Valjoux 7750, rhodium plated, "fausses cotes" decoration, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, micrometer regulator
• Band: Leather, aftermarket, fully stitched, padded
• Crystal: Sapphire, glareproofed, excellent condition
• Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers, fully serviced it, which consisted of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn parts, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value).
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a brand new fine watch in our testing.
• Warranty: 1-year international C.O.T. warranty. 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. 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 watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; 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