FRANCE: De Gaulle’s watch auctioned for over 500,000 euros

  A watch worn by French war-time hero and president Charles de Gaulle fetched more than half a million euros as part of an auction of his personal items in Paris, auction house Artcurial said. The 537,920-euro ($564,000) sale price on Monday evening set a worldwide record for a watch by 150-year-old French brand LIP. […]

 

A watch worn by French war-time hero and president Charles de Gaulle fetched more than half a million euros as part of an auction of his personal items in Paris, auction house Artcurial said.

The 537,920-euro ($564,000) sale price on Monday evening set a worldwide record for a watch by 150-year-old French brand LIP.

The manufacturer, based in Besancon in eastern France, still produces a “General de Gaulle” watch thanks to the patronage of the man regarded as the country’s greatest modern statesman.

Monday’s auction of de Gaulle memorabilia by Artcurial, which included letters, a book manuscript and even a school report, raised 5.6 million euros in total.

The sale was organised by de Gaulle’s descendants who inherited a trove of personal items from his brother, Philippe, who died at the age of 103 in March.