Pope Francis’ Personal Swatch Watch Hits The Auction Block For Estimated $100K

The Rago/Wright auction house in Chicago is about to hold a spectacular sale featuring 49 different timepieces, each of which had once been worn on the wrists of influential figures. For example, one of those watches once told the time for Pope Francis.
 
The watch is a simple black plastic Swatch with a 34mm wristband and a white dial that will come with its original box. Since taking the helm of the Catholic Church in 2013, the Pope has been seen on numerous occasions sporting the piece.

The auction house estimates that such a unique piece can fetch anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.
 
Pope Francis’ timepiece is just one of many being sold in the Once Upon a Time Watch Project, which supports The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. LaViolette was a high school student from Wisconsin who tragically passed away in 1992 from a swimming accident, and his parents set up the foundation to help underprivileged kids worldwide attain quality education. Since its inception, the foundation has given out 1,000 scholarships.

According to Hodinkee, a friend of LaViolette’s ended up joining the priesthood and found a way to get in touch with the Pope, whom he then asked if he would like to join the auction. It took over six months, but eventually, the Pope agreed to donate his watch.
 
As such, whoever gets the final bid on the timepiece will also receive a letter of authenticity signed by the Personal Secretary of Pope Francis, Fr. Fabio Salerno.
 
 
 
[via Robb Report and Hodinkee, images via various sources]