Gifted by Frank Sinatra to Red Skelton - 1960's Ebel Vintage Mens 14K Gold Watch

EBEL

Item No. 9261SH

Today's offering showcases this exclusive mens high-grade ultra-thin Ebel watch crafted from 14K white gold gifted by "The Chairman of the Board" himself, Frank Sinatra, to his close friend and Emmy and Golden Globe winning and Television Hall of Fame comedian Red Skelton.

This watch came to us via an auction house that Mr. Skelton's widow engaged to sell his watches. We do not know the occasion for which Mr. Sinatra gifted the watch to Mr. Skelton, but we suspect based on the watch's presumed age that it could have been for Mr. Skelton's involvement in Mr. Sinatra's small wedding at Jack Entratter's house to Mia Farrow in 1966. It's also possible that Mr. Sinatra gave it to his friend for his cameo appearance in the original Ocean's 11 movie, or for another favor that Red did for him.

Frank Sinatra and Red Skelton shared a remarkable and enduring friendship that transcended the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Their friendship started in the 1940s and lasted until Red passed. Their bond, forged in the entertainment industry's bustling heart, was a testament to their genuine connection and mutual respect. Sinatra, with his velvety voice and charismatic presence, found a kindred spirit in Skelton, whose comedic genius and warm-hearted nature endeared him to audiences worldwide.

Their friendship, often hidden from the spotlight, was marked by shared laughter, late-night conversations, and a deep camaraderie. Beyond the confines of the stage and screen, Sinatra and Skelton leaned on each other during life's ups and downs, finding solace and understanding in one another. In an industry known for its superficiality, their friendship stood as a beacon of authenticity, reminding us all that even in the glimmering world of showbiz, true connections are built on the foundation of shared experiences and genuine affection.

It 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 just recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.

The watch:
Made from 18K gold and fitted with its original 14K gold bracelet, it has a very elegant and classic style. Both the watch and bracelet showcase fine styling. The centerpiece of the watch is its wonderful two-tone dial.

While Ebel was a fine Swiss brand at the time, this particular watch is especially high-grade for the brand. While most Ebels made at the time were cased in the U.S. in 14K carat cases to avoid Tariffs, this is a true all-Swiss creation made at the company's factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds and encased in 18K gold.

Like only very high-grade watches the movement was adjusted to five positions, and it also featured dual shock absorbers.

One of the very cool things about this watch is its level of wear. While it is still in pleasing condition, it was clearly worn many times. Think of the special events this watch has taken part in!

We have not polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it...we left it just as Mr. Skelton last used it. The only overhauling we did was to the inside of the watch to make it ready for immediate enjoyment. The watch has never been altered or polished. It has strong lines and sharp lug chamfers. A light polish could make the watch present as close to mint.

One of our Master Watchmakers performed likely the first servicing the movement has ever had which included disassembling it down to its last screw and cleaning and oiling it and installing a new glass crystal making it ready for immediate enjoyment ($595 value).

It is running strong and true. Photos of the inside available upon request.

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.

Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to own a watch gifted by Ol' Blue Eyes to his close friend Red Skelton. Unlike most of our celebrity-owned watches, this watch was owned by TWO world-renowned entertainers.

Connoisseur of Time Celebrity Collection:

I'm excited to have launched a collection that is composed of 87 watches and clocks owned or worn by 44 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:

It 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 my others. eBay just recently partnered with us for an exclusive, special sale for seven of the watches.

It will be constantly changing and is currently headlined by watches and clocks 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, 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 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, 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, 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: Ebel
  • Country of Origin: Switzerland
  • Case no: 8,116,003
  • Functions: Hours, Minutes
  • Designed for: Men
  • Case material: 18K gold
  • Case condition: Excellent with light wear. The watch has never been altered or polished. It has strong lines and sharp lug chamgers. A light polish could make the watch present as close to mint.
  • Dimensions: 32mm wide (excluding crown by 39mm long, 5.85mm thick
  • Dial: Two-tone matte and gloss silver with engraved gold painted indices. Original and untouched, in mint condition
  • Movement type: Ebel, ultra thin, very high grade, hand wound, 17 jewels, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight line lever escapement, shock resistant, self-compensating balance spring, adjusted to five positions, index regulator
  • Band: Appears original, 14K gold, brick link, fit a wrist up to approx. just over 7.5 inches on larger of two settings, previously polished, excellent condition
  • Crystal: Mineral glass, mint condition
  • Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers performed likely the first servicing the movement has ever had which included disassembling it down to its last screw and cleaning and oiling it and installing a new glass crystal making it ready for immediate enjoyment ($595 value).
  • Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and true.
  • 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 experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts. One of our Master Watchmakers has done authorized work for the Richemont Group which besides owning Piaget owns brands including Cartier, Vacheron & Constantin, IWC, JLC.
  • Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from Connoisseur of Time as well as documenation from the firm who brought the watch to market on behalf of Mr. Skelton's widow; New timing certificate
  • 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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Category: 14K Gold, Ebel, Vintage

Type: WATCH



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