World

Platinum watch sold by Clapton

06:33 am on 13 November 2012

A platinum chronograph wristwatch by Patek Philippe belonging to British rock guitarist Eric Clapton was at auction on Monday by Christie's for 3.44 million Swiss francs ($US3.63 million).

The item was acquired by Clapton some 10 years ago. Christie's said it was bought by an anonymous buyer.

Made in 1987 in Switzerland, the Patek Philippe has a perpetual calendar with moon phases, as well as windows for day and month and dials for seconds and minutes.

Clapton last year sold more than 70 guitars at a charity auction in New York, raising $US2.15 million for Crossroads, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre that he founded in Antigua.

Last month in London he sold an abstract painting by German artist Gerhard Richter at Sotheby's for $US34.2 million.