Since 1967, the gold wristwatch on Jack Nicklaus’ wrist has been a part of almost every image of the 18-time major champion. Now Jack Nicklaus is auctioning his personal Rolex Day-Date via Phillips’ New York Watch Auction on 10 December 2019, with all the proceeds going to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation Children’s Hospitals.
A constant on the 79-year-old’s wrist Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 in yellow gold, it was gifted to him by the watchmaker present for attending a Rolex cocktail party in Tokyo during the 1966 Canada Cup.
“This is the very first watch I ever owned, and the only watch I wore
for every professional tournament I’ve won throughout my career,” Jack Nicklaus said. “It has accompanied me at U.S. Opens, Masters Tournaments, PGA Championships, Open Championships and countless other events for over five decades, and has served me well at every step along the way. Parting ways with this watch is certainly bittersweet. While I will certainly miss the opportunity of wearing the watch and having it serve as a constant reminder of some of my life’s most memorable moments I know that parting with it will help countless children and families impacted through the work of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. I have said many times that the work being done by our Foundation and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is far more rewarding than any 4-foot putt I made to win a golf tournament. So to know that 100% of the money raised from the sale of something on my wrist that I have treasured for over a half-century will directly benefit pediatric care is a treasure of the heart. I also want to thank Phillips for contributing its profits to this great cause.”
This particular Day-Date is made in 18K yellow gold with a rare champagne-colored “pie-pan” style dial, with tapered and faceted baton hour markers that are reminiscent of golf tees, and comes on a “President” bracelet.
After being put on display at the Jack Nicklaus Museum in Columbus on May 29, the watch will be displayed in London, Geneva, Hong Kong and throughout the U.S.
“A tour‐de‐force of athleticism and philanthropy, Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all time, revered by sports fans around the world. We are honored to present this superb Rolex Day‐Date Reference 1803 in our December auction,” said Phillips head of watches Paul Boutros. Discover Opulent Club on Apple News.