A 1981 Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700/1JA owned by Quincy Jones has an estimate of $130,000-$250,000Christie'sTwo watches and a gold pendant necklace owned by music legend Quincy Jones will be among the highlights of Christie’s Rare Watches live auction on May 11 in Geneva.Quincy Jones (1933-2024) is one of the most accomplished and honored entertainers in history. As a musician, composer, arranger, band leader and producer, he is known for breaking color barriers throughout his career while be in the center of some of the most important moments in music, television and film. In a career spanning seven decades, he worked in various capacities with some of the most famous music, film and television entertainers and creators of the time, ranging from Frank Sinatra, Leslie Gore and Count Basie to Miles Davis and Michael Jackson. He won 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award and was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. His cultural legacy—particularly his role in shaping Jackson’s Thriller—forms a key part of the narrative underpinning the sale.“These items carry a truly remarkable provenance, linked to one of the great figures in the music industry of our time. His extraordinary achievements lend an additional layer of cultural significance and desirability to these pieces,” said Remi Guillemin, head of Watches, Europe and America.The strongest lot is a Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700/1JA, manufactured in 1981 and sold to Jones that same year. The watch stayed in his ownership for 43 years. The year, 1981, is significant for Jones. He received a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year and won the award for Best Instrumental Arrangement. At the same time, he began overseeing the production of Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album “Thriller” (1982), considered to be the best selling album of all time with an estimated 70 million copies sold worldwide.Designed by Gérald Genta, the Nautilus remains one of the most recognizable luxury sports watches, with its porthole-inspired case, horizontally embossed dial and integrated steel bracelet. The Ref. 3700—often dubbed the “Jumbo” for its 42mm case—was produced from 1976 to 1998 and is powered by the ultra-thin caliber 920, developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1967 and widely used by top-tier brands of the era. The Nautilus is arguably his most famous of Genta’s many important watch designs.“What matters most, however, is not the backstory but the impact: it proved that steel, when handled correctly, could carry the same weight as gold,” Christie’s said in a statement.Guillemin added that this year marks Nautilus’s 50th anniversary. MORE FOR YOU“The Patek Philippe Nautilus stands out as a highlight—offered in the very year the legendary Nautilus celebrates its 50th anniversary without ever losing its relevance,” he said. “It is a true collector’s item coming fresh to the market, combining heritage, artistry and an exceptional story.”Christie’s said the piece is “a rare convergence of cultural provenance and horological significance.” Its estimate is CHF100,000-200,000 ($130,000 - $250,000).A The Girard-Perregaux World Time Control “Shadow” owned by Quincy Jones has an estimate of $6,400-$13,000.Christie'sAnothe item being offered in the auction is the Girard-Perregaux World Time Control “Shadow” timepiece. It was presented to Jones by singer Andrea Bocelli during the Andrea Bocelli Foundation's opening ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 9, 2011. It was given in recognition for Jones’ lifetime dedication to international charitable endeavors. The GP World Timer chronograph combines a world time function and a flyback chronograph. Housed in a 43mm “ceramized” titanium case. The crown controls the world time function, allowing the city ring to rotate for time zone adjustments. Its estimate is CHF5,000-10,000 ($6,400 - $13,000). The third item in the sale was given to Jones on April 13, 2013, as a birthday present from U2 singer, Bono.He and Sir Michael Caine (both born on March 14, 1933), celebrated their 80th birthdays together at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event doubled as a fundraiser for the 17th annual Power of Love Gala. A gold necklace, featuring a 22k gold and black diamond-set pendent presented to Quincy Jones from Bono. Its estimate is $13,000-19,000.Christie'sBono presented Jones with a gold necklace, featuring a 22k gold and black diamond-set pendent with an engraving on the back, “B4Q80,” standing for “Bono for Quincy, 80th birthday.” The estimate for the pendant necklace is CHF10,000-15,000 ($13,000-19,000).Taken together, the three lots illustrate a familiar dynamic in celebrity auctions: the narrative often outweighs the objects themselves. In this case, Christie’s is betting that Quincy Jones’s cultural stature—and the timing of his ownership of the Nautilus—will be enough to push the top lot toward its high estimate.