Elvis Presley Owned 14K Gold Genève Watch with Heavy Gold Nugget Band Gifted to J.D. Sumner – Former Mike Moon Collection

The offered 14K Genève brand watch with ornate gold nugget style band was owned by Elvis Presley until he gifted the watch to J.D. Sumner, lead singer of Elvis' back up singers, The Stamps. Among the very large group of close friends, confidants, spiritual advisors and musicians to whom Elvis bestowed gifts during his lifetime, perhaps none of them were recipients as often as J.D. Sumner. It seems Elvis singled out J.D. specifically to receive gifts that were of the most ornate, the most expensive and bejeweled and often the most meaningful in his estimation. The gifts paralleled Elvis' estimation of the man--he looked up to J.D. as a musical mentor, and Elvis never forgot how far back his respect for Sumner reached, even before his own career had begun.

J.D. eventually sold the watch to Mike Moon and his Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A copy of the June 11, 1980, bill of sale is included that lists the watch as "14K gold Geneva [sic] nugget watch with heavy gold nugget band and gold nugget two-position safety clasp." The letter lists three items being sold to Moon at that time, including a "14K gold heavy nugget ring accented with 12 inlaid diamonds" which is also available in this auctions. Additionally included is a letter from Chris Davidson of EP Archives who purchased the majority of Mike Moon's collection in 2018.

The offered Genève "Swiss Made" watch and its band are styled to appear as if they were carved right out the wall of a gold mine, with their gold nugget finishes. "14K" is stamped on the reverse of the watch and on the clasp of the band. The watch measures 8 inches in length and weighs an impressive 91.5 grams (though that does include the watch itself). The watch presents with moderate wear, with some unobtrusive scratches on the reverse, but probably requires servicing to be brought into working condition. Near Mint condition.