The legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, renowned for masterpieces like The Godfather trilogy, is parting with a significant piece of his personal collection: seven rare watches. Among these treasures is a particularly captivating modern timepiece, the FFC, a unique creation born from Coppola’s own collaboration with the esteemed Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe. This remarkable watch seamlessly fuses the world of cinema with the intricate mechanics of horology.
Coppola revealed his decision during a Zoom call from Rome, candidly stating his reason: “I need to get some money to keep the ship afloat.” This significant sale, set to take place on December 6th via Phillips, is already generating considerable excitement among watch aficionados and cinema lovers globally. The auction is expected to highlight Coppola’s unique approach to collecting, much like his approach to filmmaking – a blend of artistic vision and meticulous execution.
The FFC: A Timepiece That Redefines Timetelling
The FFC watch is truly a standout, challenging traditional watchmaking conventions. Conceived in 2014 with François-Paul Journe, its design features an openwork aesthetic, revealing the complex inner workings of the timepiece. Instead of a conventional dial, an hour is indicated by a mechanical hand, artfully displaying the time through the positioning of its gloved fingers.
While it was commercially released in 2021 with a price tag of approximately $1 million, its rarity and cultural significance have already commanded significantly higher prices. A prototype of the very same model fetched nearly $5 million at the prestigious Only Watch charity auction in Geneva in 2021, under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco.
A Collection of Rarity and Prestige
Coppola himself admitted to wearing his FFC watch only a few times, deeming it too valuable and costly to insure. Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Phillips Watches for North America, noted that bidding for Coppola’s FFC is expected to start around $1 million, a figure that represents less than one percent of the cost of his recent film, Megalopolis.
Beyond the FFC, Coppola is offering other notable pieces from his personal collection. This includes two Patek Philippe watches – a Calatrava (estimated between $6,000 and $12,000) and a World Time model (estimated between $15,000 and $30,000). The collection also features a Blancpain Minute Repeater (estimated $15,000-$30,000), an IWC Chronograph ($3,000-$6,000), another F.P. Journe ($120,000-$240,000), and a Breguet Classique ($4,000-$6,000).
Coppola’s Creative Legacy: From Film to Timepieces
Throughout his career, Coppola has consistently channeled his creative energy and financial resources into his diverse passions. He views watchmaking with the same lens as filmmaking: a captivating interplay of imagination and precision. While he is parting with most of his watch collection, Coppola intends to keep his Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar, planning to pass it down to his great-grandson. His beloved Rolex, he shared, was a gift to a neighbor who had proven heroic in Afghanistan.
