Today's offering features a late-19th-century American Waltham pocket watch from our Connoisseur of Time Celebrity Collection, owned and enjoyed by Don McLean. McLean was one of the clear enduring and culturally significant American singer-songwriters of the twentieth century.

Thoughtful, reflective, and deeply connected to tradition, he has long been associated with things that carry history and meaning. This classic Waltham pocket watch, practical and timeless in its design, fits naturally within that sensibility.

Don McLean’s place in American cultural history is firmly secured by his 1971 epic American Pie, a song that has transcended popular music to become a generational touchstone. Frequently cited among the greatest songs of all time, it is studied, debated, and endlessly referenced for its poetic encapsulation of social change, musical history, and collective memory. Few works in American songwriting have achieved the same combination of commercial success, cultural penetration, and lasting interpretive depth.

Beyond that singular achievement, McLean sustained a long and respected career as a recording artist and performer. His catalog includes acclaimed albums such as American Pie, Don McLean, and Homeless Brother, and he scored multiple international hits, including his chart-topping rendition of Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) - a song that introduced millions to the emotional power of Van Gogh’s life and work through music. Across decades of touring, McLean built a reputation as a deeply committed performer and storyteller, earning admiration from peers, critics, and audiences worldwide.

In recognition of his lasting contributions, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for writers whose work has shaped the fabric of American music. His songs have been covered by countless artists across genres, and his influence can be felt well beyond the folk revival era from which he emerged. McLean’s career represents not just success, but endurance - a body of work that continues to resonate long after its initial release.

This is not a piece about technical rarity or complication - it is about personal provenance, cultural legacy, and the tangible connection to one of the twentieth century's enduring singer-songwriters.

This watch:

This pocket watch was produced by the American Waltham Watch Company, the most important American watch manufacturer of the 19th century. Signed “Am. Watch Co. Waltham” on the dial, it features a white enamel Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and blued steel hands - a classic and highly legible configuration designed for everyday reliability.

The mechanical movement bears serial number 4,043,337, which dates its manufacture to the late 1880s to early 1890s, based on established Waltham production records. The gilt-finished movement architecture is consistent with Waltham’s mid-grade production of the era, built for durability and serviceability rather than decorative excess.

Housed in a 52 mm coin silver open-face case, the watch features an engine-turned caseback with an engraved central cartouche.

Overall, the watch presents in very good antique condition, with strong visual cohesion and excellent mechanical integrity. We have not cleaned or polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as we acquired it.

On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and serviced it 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 full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. Also accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.

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 110 watches and clocks owned or worn by 57 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)

Hollywood icons Steve Martin, Red Skelton, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Laurence Olivier, James Arness, Steve McQueen, 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, Kenny Rogers, Harry Belafonte, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, 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, Emmy award-winning actress Valerie Harper, Golden Globe winning actor Richard Chamberlain, Emmy award-winning journalist Larry King, 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: American Waltham Watch Company
Serial no.: 4,043,337
Year made: Circa late 1880s to early 1890s
Designed for: Men
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Case material: Coin silver
Case condition: Excellent with light wear and even patina
Width without crown: 52 mm
Dial: Original white enamel dial signed “Am. Watch Co. Waltham” with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds
Hands: Blue steel, spades
Movement type: Mechanical hand wound and pin set
Crystal: Mineral glass
Serviced: On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and serviced it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Warranty: One-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function. 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 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; 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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