The Beatles and Their Watches - Part IV: Ringo Starr
Sir Richard Starkey, better known to the world as Ringo Starr, was the Beatles' drummer from 1962 to 1970. Since retiring as a Beatle (at the age of 29), he has had several successful solo albums (and several duds), a string of successful films (and even more abysmal flops). Now 82 years old, Ringo married Bond Girl, Barbara Bach (from The Spy Who Loved Me), in 1981 and has toured extensively with his All Starr Band since 1989. He is touring again in 2023.
There is no question that of all the Beatles most likely to become a member of WatchCrunch, Ringo is the one. His interest in jewelry and watches is evident throughout his Beatle career and beyond – from the rings on his fingers (from which he took his stage name) to fashion watches and high end horology. The best insight we have into his watch preferences is from a 2015 auction at Julien's Auctions when he and his wife Barbara put items up for sale including a wide variety of Ringo’s watch collection (as well as pieces of jewelry and art).
We have previously written about Ringo’s 18k yellow gold “Moonphase” Patek Philippe which he bought in 1971 here: https://www.watchcrunch.com/Shakespeare/posts/the-beatles-and-their-watches-part-i-the-pateks-27394 That watch went for a whopping $179,200 at auction and it came with papers.
This post is about some of the other finds in that auction (and why some of us are kicking ourselves for not participating).
One lot up for sale was an 18k gold quartz Bueche Girod from 1965 - so worn during the Beatle period. This square textured gold-toned manual wind watch sold for $25,600.
Selling for a more manageable $9,375, was Ringo’s 1974 Omega “Time Computer LED”, the first digital quartz wristwatch available in Europe. This time piece was a gift from Keith Moon, drummer for The Who. In this photo, Ringo is shown wearing his Time Computer LED while Moon is wearing his Hamilton Pulsar which was also a watch featured in the Bond film Live and Let Die (well, not that exact one, but one like it).
The Hamilton Pulsar would later be rereleased in 2020 as the Hamilton PSR: https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-ca/psr?gclid=CjwKCAiA9NGfBhBvEiwAq5vSy6zpB6FPQw_mFEyNC_r0-9CZlffwzd_zyCn3uxEp2NhRmVFhouCovxoC2_YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Another Ringo Omega auction by Julien's was a stainless steel “Constellation Chronometer” quartz wristwatch which sold for $2,240. The round gold toned dial with black enameled gold toned chapters was surrounded by a black enameled bezel and attached to an integrated stainless steel bracelet. Imagine putting a Beatle’s Omega into your collection for $2,240!
Meanwhile, an aluminum “BVLGARI BVLGARI” quartz watch by … you guessed it … Bulgari, sold for $3,840. This item had a round cream coloured dial with black enameled hands, baton chapters, a dated window and a red enameled seconds hand.
Finally two stainless steel but “gold toned” quartz watches by Jostens commemorating Ringo’s 1989 and 1997 All-Starr Band Tours also sold for $1,600 and $2,240 respectively.
These were by no means the only watches that sold at Julien's Auction from Ringo's collection. There were also lots that featured multiple fashion watches as well as a couple more surprises which I will save for a later post.
There's nothing you can wear that can't be worn.
Wm Shakespeare
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part I: The Pateks
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part II: The Accurists
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part III: Cartier & Breitling
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part IV: Ringo Starr
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part V: The Apple Watch
The Beatles and Their Watches – Part VI: Sir Paul’s Casio
The Beatles and Their Watches – Part VII: The Pocket Watches
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part VIII: Raymond Weil
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part IX: Joey Ramone's Apple Watch
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part X: Jimmie Nicol's Watch
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part XI: Yellow Submarine
The Beatles and Their Watches - Part XII: John Lennon's STOLEN Patek Found! (Updated)
All the world’s a stage we’re going through.
These are fun. I wonder if Paul was wearing watches during his years on the farm or if he was trying to escape the grind of time entirely.
I saw Ringo in the pouring rain at Tanglewood (Lenox, MA) on Labor Day - he and the All-Star Band put on a great show!
These are fun. I wonder if Paul was wearing watches during his years on the farm or if he was trying to escape the grind of time entirely.
I reckon he probably used a sheep as a sundial during that period!
I saw Ringo in the pouring rain at Tanglewood (Lenox, MA) on Labor Day - he and the All-Star Band put on a great show!
And he was probably wearing his #aquanaut from #patekphilippe. Did he finish the gig doing jumping jacks? I've seen him about five or six times, the last time in about 2016 or so and he was doing jumping jacks at the end!
I reckon he probably used a sheep as a sundial during that period!
Or ask the temporary secretary.
Or ask the temporary secretary.
She learned dictation so now all she does is smile.
Your post is a satisfying deep-dive into an unlikely watch lover’s collection. Excellent use of your presentation skills!
Your post is a satisfying deep-dive into an unlikely watch lover’s collection. Excellent use of your presentation skills!
Thanks much!
And he was probably wearing his #aquanaut from #patekphilippe. Did he finish the gig doing jumping jacks? I've seen him about five or six times, the last time in about 2016 or so and he was doing jumping jacks at the end!
Didn't notice any jumping jacks - just flashing the peace sign.