GENEVA.- The Rare Watches live auction on 11 May at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva will feature the property of the late Quincy Jones. Three highly desirable pieces, each with great provenance and exceptional appeal, will be offered for the first time at auction: his Patek Philippe Nautilus REF. 3700/1JA, a gold and colored diamond pendant given to Quincy Jones by Bono as an 80th birthday present, and a Girard Perregaux watch presented to the artist by Andrea Bocelli in recognition for his lifetime dedication to international charitable endeavors.

Quincy Jones' Patek Philippe Nautilus, ref. 3700/1JA was manufactured and sold in 1981, making it Mr. Jones' property for 43 years. 1981 marked important moments in the artist's career: he received a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year and won the award for Best Instrumental Arrangement, as well as overseeing the production of Michael Jackson's album Thriller (1982), which would go on to become one of the three most successful albums by the artist 2026 marks Nautilus's 50th anniversary. The details are well known: a monobloc case inspired by a ship's porthole, a horizontally embossed dial, and an integrated bracelet that was not an afterthought but part of the design. What matters most, however, is not the backstory but the impact: it proved that steel, when handled correctly, could carry the same weight as gold. Quincy Jones's Nautilus represents an exceptional opportunity for collectors, as the iconic design by Gerald Genta has retained its appeal over its past 50 years of production and developments. Revered for its streamlined design and enduring elegance, this piece stands as a rare convergence of cultural provenance and horological significance. (Estimate: CHF100,000-200,000 US$130,000-250,000 €120,000-220,000).

The Girard-Perregaux World Time Control Shadow timepiece was given to Quincy Jones by singer Andrea Bocelli during the Andrea Bocelli Foundation's opening ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on 9 December 2011. The first Foundation award was given to Quincy Jones in recognition for his lifetime dedication to international charitable endeavors. The GP World Timer chronograph belongs to a small and exclusive group of watches combining two highly complex complications: a world time function and a flyback chronograph. Housed in a ceramized titanium case, the timepiece is both incredibly sturdy and lightweight. At three o'clock, the crown controls the world time function, allowing the city ring to rotate smoothly for simple time zone adjustment. (Estimate: CHF5,000-10,000 US$6,400-13,000 €5,600-11,000).

On 13 April, Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine (both born on 14 March 1933), celebrated their 80th birthdays at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The sumptuous event also served as a fundraiser: the 17th annual Power of Love Gala. Whilst addressing the audience Quincy Jones said: “I'm so proud of this night being on behalf of charity. Living, laughing, loving and giving … that's what life is about.” The evening opened with a pre-dinner performance by Bono, who keyed in on the Sinatra phase of Jones' career with performances of “I Got You Under My Skin” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. Bono presented a special birthday gift to Quincy Jones: a gold necklace, featuring a 22 carat gold and colored diamond-set pendent with an engraving on the back 'B4Q80', standing for 'Bono for Quincy, 80th birthday', adding a deeply personal and commemorative dimension to this meaningful piece. (Estimate: CHF10,000-15,000 US$13,000-19,000 €12,000-17,000).

Throughout his career, Quincy Jones continuously pushed artistic and cultural boundaries, making him one of the most influential figures in American music. He transformed the musical landscape as a songwriter, producer, composer, and arranger by fusing pop, soul, jazz, and hip-hop into innovative works. Beyond his accomplishments in music, Jones was instrumental in changing the industry as a whole. He was the first Black executive at a major American record label and opened doors in film scoring during a period when there were very few opportunities for Black composers. Over the decades, Jones has been behind some of the most iconic works in modern music history. He led the worldwide charity single 'We Are the World', which sold over 20 million copies and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa, and produced Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', the best-selling album of all time. His reputation as one of the most significant producers of the 20th century has been solidified by his ability to combine artistic brilliance with cultural influence. Jones, who has won an Emmy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award in addition to an incredible 28 Grammy Awards, is one of the few multidisciplinary talents to have attained EGOT status. In addition to exhibiting unparalleled creative versatility, his career has had a long lasting impact on both the music industry and larger cultural history.