Today's auction showcases this exclusive mens Omega watch crafted from 18K white gold that was owned and worn by Emmy and Golden Globe winning and Television Hall of Fame comedian Red Skelton. It could be very well-worn by a woman as well.

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 is a striking piece fully custom decorated for Mr. Skelton in a distinctive herringbone pattern that carries over into the 18K white gold Italian made bracelet he had integrated into it. Crafted by Omega in 18K white gold it cannot be missed on the wrist.

Its thin case serves as a fitting housing for the very fine ultra-slim Omega 540 movement that powers the watch and once again showcases Mr. Skelton's strong preference for ultra-thin watches.

A truly very rare caliber, this is the first Omega watch we've ever owned with a caliber 540 out of the approx. 1,000 vintage Omegas that we've owned in our years. Masterfully designed, it measures a mere 2mm thick without the dial - less than the thickness of a US half-dollar! Despite its small size, it sacrifices nothing in performance.

Omega's technical guide about the movement from March 1958 states, "This movement (only 2 mm high without dial) is indeed one of the thinnest watches available today. Having the quality of interchangeability usually associated with our watches, servicing presents none of the difficulties that might be expected from so thin a movement. Combining elegance with precision, models incorporating this movement form a collection of great distinction."

This watch was not a "safe queen," and while still in pleasing condition was clearly worn by Mr. Skelton. Think of the special events this watch has taken part in!

We have not polished the watch...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. A light polish could make the watch present as mint.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment ($695 value). It is running very strong and true.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a timing certificate attesting to its performance.

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

We will be listing several of the famous entertainer's watches. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to own one.

The current retail price for a new 18K gold mens Omega: $40,900.00 USD + Tax.

A link to a PDF of Omega's technical guide for the movement can be found here.

"Red Skelton: A Legacy of Laughter and Artistry"

Richard "Red" Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997) stands as a prominent American entertainer celebrated for his lasting contributions to radio, television, film, and the arts. Born on a summer day in 1913, Skelton's legacy would span decades, leaving an enduring mark on the entertainment landscape.

Red Skelton's illustrious career was adorned with numerous prestigious awards and accolades, celebrating his exceptional talents and contributions. In 1952, he earned Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Program and Best Comedian, highlighting his comedic mastery and television excellence. An additional Emmy nomination in 1957 recognized his versatility with a noncomedic performance in Playhouse 90's presentation of "The Big Slide." Skelton and his gifted writers secured yet another Emmy in 1961 for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, showcasing his remarkable ability to craft humor and captivate audiences. The recognition extended beyond entertainment realms, as he was named an honorary faculty member of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1968 and 1969, solidifying his status as a revered clown figure.

Skelton's post-television recognition reached new heights in 1978, when he received the coveted Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards. This prestigious honor lauded his exceptional contributions to the world of entertainment, a moment marked by his genuine excitement and a memorable standing ovation. Further honors followed as Skelton was presented with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Governor's Award in 1986, a heartfelt acknowledgment that prompted his characteristic humor. The Screen Actors Guild recognized his lasting impact with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987, while the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences welcomed him into the Television Hall of Fame in 1988.

As a pioneer in comedy, Skelton's legacy was cemented with induction into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1989, a testament to his enduring influence on the world of humor. His contributions resonated internationally, as he was bestowed lifetime achievement awards alongside Katharine Hepburn by the American Comedy Awards in the same year. The year 1994 witnessed Skelton's induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his contributions to the airwaves. With two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring his exceptional radio and television work, Skelton's impact remained etched in entertainment history. His legacy endures through the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, preserving his multifaceted talents for generations to come.

From an early age, Skelton demonstrated an innate talent for comedy and pantomime. At just ten years old, he embarked on a journey of artistic development, joining a traveling medicine show. His formative years were colored by diverse experiences, including time spent on a showboat and a venture into the world of burlesque. The stepping stones of his career path led him to vaudeville in 1934, where his comedic prowess truly began to shine.

A pivotal moment in his career emerged with the creation of the "Doughnut Dunkers" pantomime sketch, a collaborative effort with his wife. This marked the turning point that launched his trajectory in vaudeville, radio, and films. Skelton's radio journey commenced in 1937, when he made a guest appearance on The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour. This pivotal moment propelled him into hosting Avalon Time in 1938, solidifying his presence in the radio world. His exceptional ability to craft comedic characters reached new heights as he took the reins of The Raleigh Cigarette Program in 1941.

Skelton's silver screen debut arrived in 1938, sharing the screen with luminaries like Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in Alfred Santell's Having Wonderful Time. Subsequently, he graced numerous musical and comedy films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, earning starring roles in 19 films. Works like Ship Ahoy (1941), I Dood It (1943), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), and The Clown (1953) showcased his diverse talents and contributed to his cinematic legacy.

While television was still in its infancy, Skelton's ambition propelled him toward this burgeoning medium. The Red Skelton Show premiered on September 30, 1951, on NBC, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. As the show evolved and flourished, it migrated to CBS in 1954, evolving into The Red Skelton Hour by 1962. Despite the show's popularity and high ratings, it met an untimely end on CBS in 1970, as the network aimed to attract a younger demographic. Skelton's resilience shone through as he took the show to NBC for its final year in 1971.

Beyond the realm of entertainment, Skelton channeled his artistic talents into a parallel career as a painter. Initially a personal hobby, his passion for painting took a transformative turn in 1964 when his wife Georgia convinced him to showcase his clown-themed artwork at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. The response was resounding, with original pieces and reproductions generating considerable revenue. By his passing in 1997, his artistry had not only earned critical acclaim but also financial success, rivaling his earnings from television.

Skelton's life mission was simple: to bring joy through laughter. His aspirations of embodying the essence of a clown as an all-encompassing entertainer epitomize his dedication to his craft. Over the span of seven decades, he enchanted three generations of Americans with his comedic brilliance. In a testament to his enduring impact, his widow preserved his legacy by donating personal and professional artifacts to Vincennes University. These contributions form an integral part of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy, a fitting homage to the man who etched himself into the annals of American entertainment history.

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 many 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. (Just sold)

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: Omega Watch Co.
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Functions: Hours, Minutes
• Serial no.: 16,220,267
• Year made: c. 1958
• Model: ref. 3981
• Designed for: Men - today a unisex watch
• Case material: 18K white gold with diamonds
• Case condition: Excellent with light wear. We have not polished the watch...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. A light polish could make the watch present as mint.
• Dimensions: 25mm wide (excluding crown) by 32mm long, 4.6mm thick
• Dial: Silver, signed Omega, white gold applique baton indices, original and untouched with two age spots
• Movement type: Omega caliber 540, very rare and distinctive, high grade, handwound, 17 jewels, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight line lever escapement, shock resistant, self-compensating balance spring, adjusted to two positions for greater accuracy
• Band: Italian made and integrated by a jeweler for Mr. Skelton into the case, herringbone design repeating the likely custom decoration of the case, sized to fit a wrist up to approx. 8.2 inches on larger of two settings, previously lengthened, excellent condition. The length could be adjusted by a jeweler.
• Crystal: Mineral glass, excellent condition
• Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment ($695 value). It is running very strong and true.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and true, keeping very accurate time.
• 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