logo
The Story Behind Jackie Kennedy's Cartier Watch: A Royal Gift With ‘Traces and Clues of Her Life' Revealed

The Story Behind Jackie Kennedy's Cartier Watch: A Royal Gift With ‘Traces and Clues of Her Life' Revealed

Yahoo02-06-2025
The V&A's latest fashion exhibit showcases the iconic, world-renowned jewelry brand Cartier, and among its dazzling display of diamonds is a timepiece steeped in history: the Cartier watch once owned by Jackie Kennedy.
According to Sunita Kumar Nair, author of 'CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion,' this display is particularly meaningful: 'This is an incredible moment, for the general public to see a historical timepiece from the Kennedy legacy, particularly Jackie's,' Kumar Nair said. 'It wasn't included for public eyes until now, which is an excellent example of how she still remains an important part of our cultural legacy and how there are still parts of her life yet to be unravelled.'
More from WWD
Sarah Jessica Parker Embraces Dark Glamour in Custom Jenny Packham for 'And Just Like That' Season Three Paris Photo Call
EXCLUSIVE: Birkenstock Reimagines Self Care 'From the Feet Up' With Pop-up Spa Experience in Los Angeles at The Grove
Sarah Jessica Parker Goes Boho Chic in Paris, Kristin Davis Favors Florals in Rixo Dress and More Looks at the 'And Just Like That...' Season Three Premiere
This storied accessory has journeyed through the ages. Its significance dates back to 1963, when President John F. Kennedy launched a fitness initiative, challenging the population to walk 50 miles, hoping to inspire Americans to become more active.
Jackie's brother-in-law, Prince Stanislaw 'Stas' Radziwill, who was married to her sister, took part in the trek. Jackie intermittently joined the walk, offering support and encouragement along the way. In commemoration of the experience, Stas gave her the Cartier watch.
The memory of that day was preserved with a heartfelt inscription engraved on the back: 'Stas to Jackie / 23 Feb. 63 / 2:05 AM to 9:35 PM,' in script.
In a tragic turn of events, six months after this, President Kennedy was assassinated, leaving Jackie a widow.
As reported by Nair, the next time the widow was seen in public, she was with her daughter Caroline skiing in Sun Valley, a glimpse of the watch face captured.
'She served the American people as first lady, and she respected the boundaries and messages that certain pieces of fashion and jewelry meant to the general public and her husband's presidency,' Kumar Nair explained, 'it felt like the watch was a signifier of her new life, a private citizen free to wear what she wanted, and a flag of her social status and life as a widow.'
After that, the ex-first lady was rarely seen without it and it became a staple for her, making it a well-loved accessory.
After her death in 1994, Sotheby's held a sale of her belongings, which did not include her watch. It wasn't until 2017 that Christie's announced a sale of the watch. An unidentified bidder won the accessory for $379,500, which was later revealed to be Kim Kardashian.
The story now continues as the watch takes its new home at the V&A.
'Jackie was so private, and we are still left with traces and clues of her life. There is something to be said about keeping parts of your life private, particularly when you are serving a public life,' Kumar Nair noted.
View Gallery
Launch Gallery: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis 1960s Style File From the Archives [PHOTOS]
Best of WWD
Model and Hip Hop Fashion Pioneer Kimora Lee Simmons' Runway Career Through the Years [PHOTOS]
Salma Hayek's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: A Red Carpet Journey [PHOTOS]
How Christian Dior Revolutionized Fashion With His New Look: A History and Timeline
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rare Hulk stretch toy sells for thousands of pounds at auction
Rare Hulk stretch toy sells for thousands of pounds at auction

Yahoo

time8 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Rare Hulk stretch toy sells for thousands of pounds at auction

A stretch toy of Marvel's The Hulk, which has been described as one of the 'rarest stretch toys in existence', has sold for thousands of pounds, according to Excalibur Auctions. The figure, which appears to be one of only 30 known examples of the original Hulk stretch figure from 1979 known to still exist, was sold to a private collector on Saturday at the Excalibur Auctions Vintage Toys, Diecast Models & Model Railways auction for £3,900. Originally estimated between £3,000 and £5,000, the final sale set a new record in the UK for 'a figure of its kind', according to the auction house. Jonathan Torode, from Excalibur Auctions, said: 'We were excited to offer this rare piece of nostalgia today, which set a UK auction record for a figure of its kind. 'We saw competitive bidding on the phones and internet, with it finally winning out to a UK private collector, where we hope it will be as cherished by its new owner as much as it has been by its previous one.' The character the toy is based on was created by the American comic book writer and producer Stan Lee and comic artist Jack Kirby, appearing in comic form for the first time in May 1962 under the Marvel name. He was later portrayed across TV, film, cartoon and video games as The Incredible Hulk – the alter ego of the physicist Dr Bruce Banner, who transformed into the superhero when he was angry or under extreme stress. A range of actors have since portrayed the character over the years, including Eric Bana in The Hulk (2003), Edward Norton in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers (2012). The toy was described as being in 'mint' condition after being kept out of the light, upright, and in its original packaging over the years. The Hulk figure also came with its original instructions and has never been offered for sale since it was bought in 1979, according to the auction house. Produced by renowned toymaker Denys Fisher (1918-2002), the figure came directly from its original owner who had begged his mother for one as a child. It was originally part of Kenner's 'Stretch Armstrong' line and was later licensed under Denys Fisher in the UK. Fisher, who developed the Spirograph, grew up in the Leeds area and later lived in Dumfries and Cumbria. The Hulk stretch figure was filled with corn syrup to enable it to stretch and was made using the same latex and gel moulds as those used for the Stretch Armstrong figure. However, its green skin colouring, the Hulk head and the Marvel branding set it apart from the Stretch Armstrong toy. Manufactured in Thorp Arch, Wetherby, the toy was sold in limited quantities only in the UK, through select mail order catalogues and a handful of shops.

Vandals set fire to a mouse statue that's a TV star and mascot for a German broadcaster
Vandals set fire to a mouse statue that's a TV star and mascot for a German broadcaster

Associated Press

time10 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Vandals set fire to a mouse statue that's a TV star and mascot for a German broadcaster

BERLIN (AP) — Vandals set fire to a mouse statue that's a TV star and mascot for children's programming at German broadcaster WDR, the television station said Saturday. The cartoon mouse, known only as 'Die Maus,' is the eponymous star of 'Die Sendung mit der Maus' (The Show with the Mouse) since it first aired in West Germany in 1971. Each short episode features other languages and educational segments. The statue — featuring the character's famous orange body with brown ears, arms and legs — greets families and children outside a media building in Cologne, Germany. A receptionist for WDR saw several young people standing around the statue in Cologne on a camera feed overnight Friday into Saturday. She then noticed flames and called the fire department, WDR said. The fire blackened parts of the mouse's face and arm, images show. The station said a police complaint had been filed against an unidentified person. Matthias Körnich, head of children's programming for WDR, said it's not just a figurine that was damaged. 'A piece of childhood, a symbol of joy and togetherness has been attacked,' he said. 'The mouse belongs to Cologne.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store