A Swiss court has ruled that Yoko Ono is the rightful owner of a Patek Philippe 2499 gold wristwatch she gifted to her late husband, John Lennon, for his 40th birthday.
The timepiece, purchased by Ono in 1980 for $25,000 just months before Lennon's assassination, is now estimated to be worth around $4.51 million. The watch bears a personal inscription engraved by Ono: "(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER LOVE YOKO 10·9·1980 N.Y.C," a reference to a song they had written together.
The legal battle began after the watch was sold at auction to another individual. However, the Swiss court, after considering various pieces of evidence, ruled in favor of Ono.
In addition to the watch, Ono also gifted Lennon a diamond and ruby brooch featuring the American flag to commemorate his journey to becoming an American citizen. To celebrate his 40th birthday, she also arranged for a series of planes to skywrite "Happy Birthday, John and Sean. Love, Yoko" nine times in the morning sky.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono married in 1969 and had one son together, Sean. Tragically, Lennon was assassinated on December 8, 1980.
The court's decision has once again brought attention to the unique love story and artistic legacy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It also sets a significant precedent for legal disputes involving high-value art and collectibles.
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