The $1.6 Million Question: Was This Patek Watch Meant for Putin?
- Monaco auctioneer says VIP bought Putin luxury watch as gift
- Kremlin cries ‘fake news,’ says timepiece not presented to him
The auctioneer calls it the “Patek Philippe Triple Complication - Vladimir Putin” and estimates it could fetch as much as 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million), more than 50 percent above what it would have cost new only two years ago. But the Kremlin says Putin -- who’s known to have a soft spot for luxury watches -- had nothing to do with this one.
Monaco Legend Group, which is holding the auction July 19 with partner Antiquorum, says the platinum-cased watch was bought as a gift for the Russian president at a shop in London in December 2015. The unidentified buyer was convincing enough about his intention to get the timepiece to Putin that the store recorded “Mr Vladimir Vladimirovic Putin” -- the leader’s full name -- as the owner on the certificate of origin. A manager at the store, Watches of Switzerland, declined to comment.