A watch worn by legendary US five-star general Douglas MacArthur was sold at auction in Geneva for 70,000 Swiss francs ($75,000). The steel Jaeger-Lecoultre “Reverso” was the star offering at Sunday’s sale, the Antiquorum auction house said. The watch had a pre-auction estimate between 10,000 and 20,000 Swiss francs, but obviously exceeded that amount.
The watch, made in 1937, is a classic model in which the dial can be flipped to protect the glass front from shocks while offering a solid case. MacArthur’s initials are engraved on its back. It was bought in Geneva and is being put up for sale by his direct descendants. The model in question – a rectangular 23 mm X 38 mm watch – is still being manufactured today.