Eric Clapton: A world-class watch collector

"Turn it off! I don't want to listen to that old man rock music!" My 7-year-old daughter screams in the car.

"It's Eric Clapton, a legend. One of the world's greatest guitarists! He's won several Grammys, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and has several mega hits," I try to explain.

She was mildly amused by my attempt at a musical history lesson, and not particularly interested in my explanation of his impressive watch collection. Well, "Tears in Heaven," "Layla," and "I Shot the Sheriff" may not be the biggest hits on TikTok, and old vintage watches are hardly the coolest thing in the school playground today. No, that would be the latest Taylor Swift song along with an Apple Watch on your wrist.

However, for us watch geeks, he is a true source of inspiration. With extremely rare Patek Philippes, Rolexes, and the occasional Ferrari in the garage, it's safe to say that Clapton is a true G.O.A.T. in collector enthusiast circles.

A secretive collector

Unlike his attire, where at least throughout the 60s and 70s he often wore bright, colourful shirts and waistcoats, he rarely talks about his impressive watch collection. There are a couple of interviews where he briefly mentions his fascination with watches and collectibles, but mostly he remains secretive about his hobby.

This is in stark contrast to his colleague and protégé John Mayer. Mayer, who also has an extensive collection of watches, guitars and other collectibles, is much more open. He participates in lengthy interviews about his watches and has even invested in the world's largest watch publication, Hodinkee. Clapton, on the other hand, prefers to keep his passion to himself, which has contributed to the mystery surrounding him as a collector.

Watch enthusiasts love to hunt for the rare collectable watches and when Clapton steps onto the stage with a one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe or a rare vintage Rolex on his wrist, watch enthusiasts around the world start buzzing. The watch forums are abuzz with speculation and admiration.

Clapton’s collection

Throughout the 1980s and onwards, Clapton adopted a more relaxed and sophisticated style, often dressed in simple but elegant jeans, t-shirts, and blazers. This sophistication is also reflected in his watch collection, as many of his most famous watches are dressy.


A look into Clapton's watch collection over the years reveals several holy grails. With a penchant for Patek Philippe and Rolex, it remains uncertain exactly which treasures are hidden in his collection. Some watches have only been fleetingly glimpsed, while others he is only rumored to own. This all contributes to the mystique surrounding his persona in watch circles, which is constantly growing.

However, we only know a little. His Patek Philippe collection includes several unique examples, including a Patek Philippe 2499, one of only two known examples made in platinum. One can be found at the Patek Museum in Geneva, while Clapton's watch sold for over $3.6 million at a Christie's auction in 2012.

Three favourites from the collection

Choosing three watches from the collection is not easy. I have chosen to highlight some of the most special and rare watches over the years. If we put it this way: The chances of you winning the lottery or finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow are greater than coming across these watches.

Rolex Cosmograph ref: 6263 “Oyster Albino”

One of my absolute favourites from the collection is a Rolex Cosmograph ref. 6263, known as "Oyster Albino", with only four known examples in the world. What makes this watch so rare is that the sub-seconds hands are not black with white text, but silver, like the rest of the dial. This gave the watch the nickname "Albino". This watch was auctioned in 2015 to raise money for charity and sold for an incredible $1.4 million.

Patek Philippe 5970

Another favourite is the Patek Philippe ref. 5970 in white gold. This was specially ordered by Clapton in the mid-00s and delivered in 2006 as part of a set of four different refs. 5970, each in different materials and with different dial colours. The only change from a standard dial is the Breguet numerals, but that is enough to give the watch a strikingly different look.

Rolex ”Yacht-Master” Daytona 6239/6242

Eric Clapton is an icon in many ways – as a guitarist, songwriter and not least as a collector. His upbringing with his grandparents in the south of England, the tragic loss of his son which inspired one of his biggest hits, 'Tears in Heaven', and his incredible career filled with awards and accolades have shaped him into who he is today. For us watch enthusiasts, he is an immortal legend both on stage and in watch collecting circles.