Alain Delot and watches, a passion that has stood the test of time

Alain Delon was a lover of beautiful watch mechanisms and had excellent taste. As evidenced by the auction of one of Aguttes’ Blancpain watches on December 9. He gives us the opportunity to discover a part of his watch collection.

The actor, who died on August 18, imposed a certain idea of ​​French elegance, particularly through his watches. The watch that will be sold at Aguttes on December 9 is a Villeret from Blancpain, with an estimate of €5,000 to €8,000.This 38mm white gold chronograph is engraved on the back with “1995. November 8.” This watchmaking souvenir Samurai will definitely find a buyer.

Alain Delaux, Cartier and his tanks

During filming, as in life, the actor has repeatedly shown his love for the Cartier Tank. Several times the French cinema legend appeared on his wrist. He notably appears alongside director Jean-Pierre Melville on the set of the film A police officer (1972) where they both realize they’re wearing the exact same model, a model that has followed him through the years from Round Tank to Tonno Tank.

One hundred models for sale

In 2012, we discovered the actor’s deep taste in watchmaking thanks to the auction of a part of his collection (more than 100 watches) by the house Cornette Saint-Cyr. In the sale catalog we find the biggest brands such as Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Blancpain and Cartier.The highlight of the show is the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet, an iconic watch that we have seen on the wrist of an icon, especially: Like a boomerang (1976), The word of the policeman (1985) or even Don’t wake up the sleeping cop (1988): This sold for €68,750.

Later it was with the Octo Finissimo Automatic from Bvlgari, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, a testament to the actor’s taste in ultra-slim titanium watches, which is more modern than he’s used to. us until then.

A unique piece

Geneva watchmaker FP Journe created a unique piece in collaboration with Alain Delon in 2007. It will be auctioned for 160,000 Swiss francs, with all sales going to the IRP Foundation, which fights paraplegia. This watch pays homage to the film Chetandirected by the celebrated Luchino Visconti. In a 40mm platinum case, the Octa Guépard features a dial engraved with three cheetahs in the style of the actor’s favorite sculptor, Rembrandt Bugatti. Nothing is too good for the French legend.

Finally, note vintage lovers. be aware that there are Alain Delon watches launched in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the Swiss watch company Aquastar.From a sporty diver to an elegant watch, there is something for everyone to pay tribute to.