James Dean's beloved pocket watch from his early days

What kind of watches do top celebrities choose? Celebrity Watch Hunting is a series of columns that captures private moments of celebrities from around the world. This time, we'll be looking at the watch beloved by legendary Hollywood star James Dean.

James Dean

　James Dean was born in the United States in 1931. He made a name for himself as an actor at a young age, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his first starring role in East of Eden in 1955. He went on to star in and support the films Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, both of which were also nominated for Academy Awards, and he quickly became a Hollywood star.

　One of his favorite watches was an Elgin pocket watch, which can be seen hanging on a chain from his right hip in the photo. It is a keyless pocket watch made by Elgin around 1889, with a 37mm gold case, a white enamel dial, and tempered blue hands.

　This watch was purchased by James Dean around 1951 when he was working his way up in New York with dreams of becoming a Hollywood star. It must have been a big purchase for him at the time. With his initials "JD" engraved on the lid, he named it his "lucky watch" as it brought him good luck and carried it with him like a talisman.

　It was not long after that that he was chosen to play the lead role in East of Eden.

While in California to film "East of Eden," James Dean visited his family and received a gold chain from his father. This is the chain he is wearing to hang his watch from his waist in the photo. He never kept his pocket watch in his vest, but always wore it on this chain. He persisted with this style despite being criticized by the film's director during the filming of "East of Eden."

　James Dean eventually gifted the pocket watch to his former Warner Bros. employee and hairstylist, Tillie Starriet, whom he called "Mama" and was very fond of.

After the watch left him, James Dean died in a car accident at the young age of 24.

　His watch was brought to the public's attention again at a 2013 Hong Kong auction by Antiquorum auction house, where it was offered with a certificate signed by Thierry Starriette and sold for HK$325,000, eight times its estimated price.
　The watch, which was set to 5:43 at the time, reflecting the sad moment 58 years ago, was passed on to its next owner along with the shooting star story of a young genius.

(reference/Antiquorum,●WATCH COLLECTING LIFESTYLE™）