Harry Houdini's Minute Repeating Triple Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch For Sale Tomorrow At Bonhams

June 11, 2012

Did you know Harry Houdini has ties to watchmaking? He does. In fact, he named himself after French clockmaker Jean Eugne Robert-Houdin - Houdini was actually worn as Erik Weisz. It turns out, he happened to own a rather impressive timepiece as well - a minute repeating chronograph with triple date and moonphase. The watch was presented to Houdini from his early manager and friend Harry Day, and the inside of the hunter-style case is engraved as such. The watch is not signed by a manufacturer, though.What makes this watch so personal though is that attached to a short chain is a locket with a picture of Houdini's wife and mother on each side. Also included are a dried clover leaf and a note in Houdini's hand that says, "June 1922. Bess give this watch to bro. bill's son, Sam.-Houdini."Bonhams has the estimate for this piece of pop culture history at $10,000-$15,000 and more details can be found here. Click through for detailed live photos of the watch, the pictures of his family and handwritten note found within the watch.