Albert Einstein's Watches: Vintage Collection

quattro · 2025-11-14T16:34:14Z

Explore Albert Einstein's personal timepieces, including his 1931 Longines wristwatch and two pocket watches. Discover their history, sales, and significance.

quattro

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

38 replies2516 views17 photos

Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, meticulously documents the horological artifacts associated with Albert Einstein. His research brings to light three specific timepieces, offering a rare glimpse into the personal effects of one of history's most iconic figures. This article delves into the provenance and details of these watches, enriching our understanding of Einstein's life through his choice of timekeeping instruments.

This tonneau-shaped, 14K yellow gold Longines wristwatch was offered to Albert Einstein on February 16th, 1931 by Rabbi Edgar Magnin on behalf of the Jewish community of Los Angeles.

It was sold by Antiquorum in New York on October 17th, 2008.

Dim. 25 x 40 mm. Thickness 10 mm.

credit: Antiquorum & Longines

Multiple photos show him wearing this watch (or what is supposed to be this watch):

credit: the information accompanying the photos is far too imprecise or missing to allow for proper crediting

Albert Einstein also owned a Longines pocket-watch dated 1943, now displayed in the Bern Historical Museum in Switzerland:

credit: Bernisches Historisches Museum

His third known watch is a silver open-face 49 mm pocket watch, made circa 1900 and which was sold by Christie's on July 13th, 2016:

credit: Christie’s

Thanks for reading.

Best, Emmanuel

Key Points from the Discussion

The tonneau shape of Einstein's Longines wristwatch likely reflects the Art Deco design trends prevalent in the 1930s, a period when rectangular and shaped cases were highly fashionable in the American market.
The Longines wristwatch, gifted in 1931, is noted as a 'cool choice' and 'just enough out of the box' to align with Einstein's unique persona.
Beyond the initial three watches, quattro also shared additional images of a Longines pocket watch from the 1930s, noting a similar model available for restoration, though with a damaged dial and missing hands.
One contributor raised questions about Einstein's personal life and treatment of women, suggesting it was problematic, even if potentially normalized for the era.

The Discussion

Ronald Held

Nov 14, 2025

Of finding that caliber longines pocket watch?

quattro

Nov 14, 2025

Check "Reloj de bolsillo Longines 1930s para restauración, funcionando", sold by danqui_1551. But the dial is a ruin and there's no hands. Best, Emmanuel

Blansky

Nov 14, 2025

Possibly due to the Art Deco influence. www.watchuseek.com american-market-rectangular-wristwatches-circa-30’s-40’s.5456719/

xto

Nov 14, 2025

It would take guts to wear that watch while sailing a dinghy!

quattro

Nov 14, 2025

genius, humanity, taste… Best, Emmanuel

fmc000

Nov 15, 2025

For example he treated women like sh.t, maybe it was normal at that time I don't know but he did that nonetheless.

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Albert Einstein's Watches: Vintage Collection

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