In a significant legal decision, Switzerland’s Supreme Court has affirmed that Yoko Ono is the legitimate owner of a valuable watch that she gifted to John Lennon in 1980, just two months prior to his tragic assassination outside their home in New York City. This ruling has reignited interest in the couple’s storied history and the lasting impact of Lennon’s legacy.

For Lennon’s birthday that year, Ono presented him with an exceptionally rare Patek Philippe 2499 watch. At that time, she purchased the exquisite timepiece for approximately $25,000 at Tiffany & Co., which is equivalent to around $100,000 today. The watch features a heartfelt inscription on its back: “(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER, LOVE YOKO. 10 • 9 • 1980. N. Y. C.,” making it a deeply personal artifact of their relationship.

After Lennon’s untimely death, Ono placed the watch in a secure location within their shared apartment, where it remained untouched for numerous years. In 2007, a former employee named Koral Karsan faced grand larceny charges after Ono accused him of attempting to extort her. Karsan was deported to Turkey, reportedly taking many valuable possessions from the couple’s home, which raised concerns about the fate of the Patek Philippe watch.

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While several items from the apartment resurfaced over time, the Patek Philippe 2499, estimated to be worth millions, has not been recovered. Sean Lennon, the son of Yoko Ono and John Lennon, expressed his feelings about the theft, stating to The New Yorker earlier this year, “He took advantage of a widow at a vulnerable time. Of all the incidents of people stealing things from my parents, this one is the most painful.”

Understanding the Court’s Decision and Its Implications

Thanks in part to investigative journalism by The New Yorker, the watch was traced through various European auctions, eventually reaching the hands of an unidentified individual who asserted that he had purchased it legally in 2014. However, the complexities of ownership and provenance have made this a contentious issue.

In a remarkable ruling, Switzerland’s Supreme Court has determined that the watch rightfully belongs to Ono, given that it was initially taken from her without consent. The court emphasized that “there was no evidence to show that Yoko Ono intended to donate to the driver something as special as the watch,” reinforcing the idea that the watch’s sentimental value is paramount.