CIA U-2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers 1962 Oyster Perpetual Datejust

[FGPjr]

May 1, 2020 will mark the 60th anniversary of the U-2 Incident in which my father was shot down over the Soviet Union, imprisoned by the KGB, and ultimately exchanged for the Soviet spy in 1962. I am considering selling my father's Rolex that he purchased in Nov 1962 after his exchange for Soviet Spy Rudolph Able in Feb 1962. His exchange and exploits associated with the U-2 Incident of May 1, 1960 were depicted by Stephen Spielberg in his 2015 award winning movie, Bridge of Spies. My father died on August 1, 1977 while piloting a helicopter that crashed while working for KNBC News 4 in Los Angeles. He was wearing this watch when he passed away so the wrist band was slightly damaged in the crash. I have kept the watch, box, and certificates for over 40 years and am interested in getting an appraisal before the potential to consign it into a 2020 auction. Any one have an idea of who to talk with or realistic estimate? Thanks for your assistance. Gary

[Walts]

You should contact the watch departments at Christies .Sotheby's or Philipps
auction houses in New York City. Include all the information you stated in your introductory note. Let them tell you what there charges would be . Auctions try to get the highest price for you . That's how they make there money.

[Juhuatai]

Agree with the auction house route. I would contact Phillips, I think they get the strongest results for their watches. The provenance of your father's watch will fetch a much much higher price than the run of the mill datejust. Your father was a very cool dude, rest in peace.

[daOnlyBG]

Start with Phillips. I think their watch dept is most oriented toward historically significant watches.

Oh, and for once, I'm with Allen Dulles on this one- your father got a pretty unfair rap when he returned. All evidence seems to suggest he did ridiculously well, though. We thank him for his service in a pretty trying time- and thank you for founding the Cold War Museum.

[dhknola]

As stated, Phililips. They sold some watches in their last sale that were very heavy on military provenance that did quite well.

[Nikrnic]

Good luck to you. I remember the day....

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Styles Bitchley]

Neat thread. I look forward to any updates.

Any photos of the watch?

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by FGPjr

May 1, 2020 will mark the 60th anniversary of the U-2 Incident in which my father was shot down over the Soviet Union, imprisoned by the KGB, and ultimately exchanged for the Soviet spy in 1962. I am considering selling my father's Rolex that he purchased in Nov 1962 after his exchange for Soviet Spy Rudolph Able in Feb 1962. His exchange and exploits associated with the U-2 Incident of May 1, 1960 were depicted by Stephen Spielberg in his 2015 award winning movie, Bridge of Spies. My father died on August 1, 1977 while piloting a helicopter that crashed while working for KNBC News 4 in Los Angeles. He was wearing this watch when he passed away so the wrist band was slightly damaged in the crash. I have kept the watch, box, and certificates for over 40 years and am interested in getting an appraisal before the potential to consign it into a 2020 auction. Any one have an idea of who to talk with or realistic estimate? Thanks for your assistance. Gary

Any chance that you could snap some pics of the watch for us to admire?

[FGPjr]

The photo that I sent is the only one of my dad wearing the watch that worked to download.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by FGPjr

The photo that I sent is the only one of my dad wearing the watch that worked to download.

Ok, thanks. I was speaking of any current and clear pics

[Daytonaman799]

I am friendly with the head of Phillips in the US as well as senior management at Sotheby’s. If you are interested I would be happy to help you contact them. Please private message me. Good luck!

[Jackie Daytona]

Kinda a late bump on this but I remembered this thread and though it was interesting. Just came across this article with the pictures and more story than what he had posted here. Thought it was interesting and just wanted to share.

https://www.rolexmagazine.com/?m=1

[Pocosso]

I would contact Phillips, or directly Aurel Bacs, PM me I may have the contact.

[sutats]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

Kinda a late bump on this but I remembered this thread and though it was interesting. Just came across this article with the pictures and more story than what he had posted here. Thought it was interesting and just wanted to share.

https://www.rolexmagazine.com/?m=1

^

Originally Posted by Pocosso

I would contact Phillips, or directly Aurel Bacs, PM me I may have the contact.

[M4tt]

When he was shot down however, he'd have been wearing one of these:



As, until the advent of quartz they were the most accurate watch available. The same movement was the standard instrument panel clock on all the Apollo and spacelab (although both used a quartz clock for the computer). In 1958 it was the first watch movement in space in Vanguard I (it's still there) and is also the only watch movement still on the moon. They were also standard for all astronauts up to Apollo as well as the NF-104A, A12, SR71 and, of course, the U2. These early versions used germanium rather than silicon semiconductors. Seen from the side, it's hard not to see that the design inspiration clearly came from area 51:

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by M4tt

When he was shot down however, he'd have been wearing one of these:



As, until the advent of quartz they were the most accurate watch available. The same movement was the standard instrument panel clock on all the Apollo and spacelab (although both used a quartz clock for the computer). In 1958 it was the first watch movement in space in Vanguard I (it's still there) and is also the only watch movement still on the moon. They were also standard for all astronauts up to Apollo as well as the NF-104A, A12, SR71 and, of course, the U2. These early versions used germanium rather than silicon semiconductors. Seen from the side, it's hard not to see that the design inspiration clearly came from area 51:

Very interesting and informative.