Today's offering showcases this elegant late vintage Baume & Mercier watch that was owned and worn by baseball legend and Yankee Hall of Fame great Lefty Gomez.

It was gifted to them by Henry Kay Jewelers for Mr. Gomez's participation in the 50th anniversary of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

It has a neo-classic and elegant style. The centerpiece of the watch is its original dial with Baume & Mercier factory applied 50th anniversary All-Star logo. Its restrained design suggests it was chosen not as a trophy object, but as a personal keepsake - something meaningful enough to wear, not simply store.

The caseback engraving reveals why. It reads: “50TH ALL STAR GAME / CHICAGO WHITE SOX / BAUME & MERCIER / HENRY KAY JEWELERS”

This engraving places the watch squarely at an emotionally resonant moment in baseball history. The 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held at Comiskey Park in Chicago, marked the 50th anniversary of the All-Star Game itself.

Lefty Gomez attended not merely as a guest, but as the last living link to the game’s origins. He stood as the last surviving player from the inaugural 1933 All-Star Game, and he was honored by being asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch - a symbolic passing of history from baseball’s earliest stars to the modern era.

This was not just another All-Star Game; it was a moment of reflection and continuity, celebrating half a century of baseball while honoring one of the men who helped define its earliest mythology.

A watch given in connection with the occasion becomes more than just a commemorative object - it almost becomes a physical artifact of baseball memory itself.

That this watch was worn by him adds a special human dimension: a piece that traveled in a sense from the diamond to the home, from public honor to private life.

It has all of its original parts. We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as Mr. Gomez last used it which includes light wear and light dirt, etc. We have installed a new band and are including parts of the cut old band.

On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

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

Included with the watch is a copy of his biography, Lefty: An American Odyssey.

An adaptation from Murder, Espionage, and Baseball: The 1934 All-American Tour of Japan,” NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture Volume 21, No. 1 can be found here.

Lefty Gomez:

Vernon Louis "Lefty" Gomez, born on November 26, 1908, is celebrated as one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history. Lefty Gomez played his entire 14-year career in the major leagues with the New York Yankees (1930–1942) and the Washington Senators (1943). Renowned for his lively personality and humor, Gomez's prowess on the mound played a crucial role in the Yankees' dominance during the 1930s.

Gomez's career boasts numerous achievements and awards. As a six-time All-Star, he started for the American League in the first-ever All-Star Game in 1933, earning this honor four times. During his tenure, Gomez helped the Yankees secure five World Series championships (1932, 1936–1939). His World Series record remains particularly remarkable, with a 6-0 record and a 2.86 ERA in seven appearances, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.

In addition to his World Series success, Gomez led the American League in wins twice (1934 and 1937), strikeouts three times (1933, 1934, and 1937), and ERA twice (1934 and 1937). His 1934 season stands out as he led the league in wins (26), strikeouts (158), and ERA (2.33), achieving the pitching Triple Crown. Gomez's exceptional performance continued in 1937, posting a 21-11 record with a league-best 2.33 ERA and 194 strikeouts, further solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers of his era.

Lefty Gomez's career statistics reflect his dominance on the mound. He concluded his career with a 189-102 win-loss record, a 3.34 ERA, and 1,468 strikeouts over 2,503 innings pitched. These impressive numbers earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, where he was unanimously voted in.

The 1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game honored Lefty Gomez as he stood as the last surviving player from the 1933 All-Star Game. He had the privilege of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. On August 2, 1987, Gomez, along with Whitey Ford, received plaques to be placed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. Gomez's plaque commemorates him as "Noted for his wit and his fastball, as he was fast with a quip and a pitch." Despite his advancing age, Gomez attended the ceremony.

A decade after his passing in 1989, The Sporting News ranked him #73 on list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and he was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

He stands out not only for his impressive statistics and accolades but also for his enduring influence on the sport. His contributions to the Yankees' success in the 1930s and his memorable presence both on and off the field make him a quintessential figure in the annals of baseball history.

Lefty Gomez was more than a pitcher; he was a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and the sheer joy of baseball.

Connoisseur of Time's Renowned Celebrity Collection:

This 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 127 watches and clocks owned or worn by 65 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, 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, 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

Country of origin: Switzerland
Maker: Baume & Mercier
Reference: 1033 295
Serial no.: 4501
Year sold: 1983
Designed for: Men - now a mens midsize
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Case material: Stainless steel
Case markings (outer): Caseback engraved “50TH ALL STAR GAME / CHICAGO WHITE SOX / HENRY KAY JEWELERS / BASE METAL / SWISS MADE / 1033 295, 4501 "
Case condition: Excellent condition with light wear and light dirt
Dimensions: 30.5mm diameter (without the crown) by just over 34mm long lug tip to tip
Dial: White with black painted Roman numeral chapter ring, outer railroad minute track, Baume & Mercier factory applied 50th anniversary All-Star logo, original, mint condition
Movement type: Swiss quartz
Bands (2): 1. Portions of original cut-off black leather strap 2. Leather, remborde, brand new and unworn
Crystal: Glass
Serviced: On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery making it ready for immediate enjoyment. We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as Mr. Gomez last used it.
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. 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; Copy of Lefty: An American Odyssey
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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