Pablo Picasso's Watches: Rolex, Patek Philippe, & More

Pablo Picasso needs no introduction. What might surprise you is that the legendary artist was also a serious watch aficionado. Only five of Picasso’s watches are known today—and most are lost. But even in this small sample, we see consistent taste: complex, well-made pieces with style and subtlety.

Picasso’s Missing Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542

Image Source: Wind Vintage

Maybe the most iconic Picasso watch is his Rolex GMT‑Master ref. 6542, seen in a 1960s photo wearing a Native American headdress—a gift from Gary Cooper—and casually checking the time on his wrist. As the first-ever GMT‑Master, it’s already a collector’s gem. Picasso’s example is even rarer—the watch hasn’t reappeared in public, making it a true grail if it ever surfaces.

Picasso’s Patek Philippe Ref. 2497

Image Source: Hodinkee

Another heavyweight in Picasso's collection: the Patek Philippe ref. 2497, seen in the photo above. Made between 1951 and 1963, only around 115 were produced—and it was Patek’s first perpetual calendar with central seconds. The metal is likely yellow gold, though less common pink, white gold, and platinum versions do exist; a rare 2497 variant from Picasso’s stash would be the holy grail for many collectors.

Picasso’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Triple Calendar Moonphase

Image Source: GQ UK

In a portrait by Yousuf Karsh, Picasso sports a late-1940s Jaeger‑LeCoultre triple-calendar moonphase with teardrop lugs and full calendar. While I'm unable to identify this exact reference, it aligns well with JLC’s high-complication releases of that era—yet another mark of Picasso’s refined taste.

Picasso’s Michael Z. Berger ‘Picasso’ Watches

Image Source: Francois Guillot

This is the wild card. In the 1960s, Michael Z. Berger crafted two personalized 32 mm watches for Picasso—one in steel, one in gold—with dials that spelled out “PABLO PICASSO”. Picasso gifted both to his driver. The steel version hit a Bonhams auction in 2021, hammering at €219,050 (around $267K)—twenty times its estimate. The gold version remains out of public view, a private piece of artist lore.

Why Picasso's Watches Matter

These are all collectible watches without Picasso’s name attached. But Picasso’s ownership—and in many cases the complete lack of provenance or location—adds a layer of excitement that pure craftsmanship alone can’t match. Think of John Lennon’s Patek ref. 2499: it was considered vanished for decades before resurfacing and clarified in a 2024 Swiss court case. Like Picasso’s GMT or JLC triple calendar, that Patek shows how provenance—and mystery—transform a fine watch into something much more compelling.