Alain Delon, the iconic French actor known for his magnetic screen presence and timeless style, passed away late Sunday night at age 88. 

Born in 1935, Delon had a prolific career, starring in around 100 films over five decades. As one of French cinema’s biggest stars of the 1960s, his enigmatic charm and rugged good looks have made him a symbol of classic French cinema, with standout roles in films like Le Samouraï (1967), Rocco and His Brothers (1960), and The Leopard (1963) cementing his place in cinematic history.

Delon, known for his discerning taste, was often seen wearing his favorite timepieces in his films. He was known for his preference for elegant yet understated timepieces that often align with his persona of quiet strength and refined masculinity. (At the time being one of the stylish pioneers to wear his AP Royal Oak on the silver screen when steel sports watches were not yet all the rage.)

The French actor, who was apparently a former Navy SpecOp during his time in the military before he joined the film industry, was also noted to have been a fervent fan of his Enicar Ultradive watch even when he’s off the film set. Nico (@_jimjupiter), who runs Enicar 101, details Delon’s moments with the timepiece on his website. 

Alain Delon’s Watch Collection Fetched Over US$590,000 at Auction

In 2012, Delon auctioned over 100 watches from his personal collection in Paris that brought in an impressive US$590,300 in sales. The actor, who expressed his distaste for posthumous sales, motivated him to part with these valuable items during his lifetime. He previously parted with his art collection in 2007, which fetched €8.7 million, and his wine collection in November 2011, which garnered over €250,000. 

French auction house Cornette de Saint Cyr (thereafter acquired by Bonhams in 2022) oversaw the sale of over 100 timepieces. Highlights included an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” (unspecified A-series or otherwise) that he famously wore in several of his films, including Boomerang (1976), Parole de flic (Cop’s Word) (1985), and Ne réveillez pas un flic qui dort (Let Sleeping Cops Lie) (1988). The watch, which was estimated to sell for €2,500, surpassed the estimate at a close of €68,750 from a Chinese buyer. 

Another standout piece was a Cartier Tank with a rare and possibly unique lapis lazuli bezel. This yellow gold timepiece featured a caseback of the watch engraved with the actor’s initials. Initially estimated at around €2,000, the Cartier Tank surprised everyone by reaching a final sale price of €55,000. A year after the auction, experts from the Artcurial house reportedly re-evaluated the watch, estimating its value between €80,000 and €120,000 euros — a staggering increase in value over a short period.