Francis Ford Coppola Auctions Rare F.P. Journe Watch Collection to Fund His Vision
Los Angeles, October 26, 2025:
Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, the creative force behind The Godfather trilogy, is set to auction seven rare luxury watches from his personal collection — including the extraordinary FFC watch he co-designed with Swiss master watchmaker François-Paul Journe. The sale, scheduled for December 6 through Phillips Auction House, has already captured the attention of both film enthusiasts and horology collectors around the world.
Speaking candidly from Rome during a Zoom call, Coppola explained the motivation behind the sale: “I need to get some money to keep the ship afloat.” His honesty reflects the ongoing financial strain associated with his ambitious projects, including his self-financed epic Megalopolis.
The FFC: A Watch That Tells Time by Hand
At the heart of the auction is the F.P. Journe FFC, one of the most inventive modern timepieces ever made. Created in 2014 and released commercially in 2021, the FFC (short for Francis Ford Coppola) is a mechanical masterpiece that tells time in an unprecedented way — through a sculpted hand whose fingers move to display the hour.
The intricate openwork design reveals the mechanics beneath, merging cinematic artistry with horological innovation. Its originality and exclusivity have made it a coveted collector’s item. While the model is valued at around $1 million, a prototype of the same design fetched nearly $5 million at the Only Watch charity auction in Geneva in 2021, sponsored by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Coppola admitted that he wore his FFC “only a handful of times,” saying it was simply “too expensive to insure.”
According to Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Phillips Watches for North America, bidding for Coppola’s personal FFC will begin around $1 million — a symbolic fraction of what Megalopolis reportedly cost to make.
Rarity and Prestige Beyond the FFC
Coppola’s upcoming auction extends beyond the FFC. It includes several remarkable timepieces from his collection, each representing a chapter of his creative and personal journey. Among them are:
- Patek Philippe Calatrava (estimated $6,000–$12,000)
- Patek Philippe World Time (estimated $15,000–$30,000)
- Blancpain Minute Repeater (estimated $15,000–$30,000)
- IWC Chronograph (estimated $3,000–$6,000)
- F.P. Journe Chronomètre (estimated $120,000–$240,000)
- Breguet Classique (estimated $4,000–$6,000)
Each piece speaks to Coppola’s appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and precision — values that mirror his own approach to filmmaking.
From Art to Time: A Lifelong Obsession
For Coppola, watches have always represented more than luxury — they embody storytelling, discipline, and artistry. His fascination with mechanical beauty echoes his cinematic philosophy: a pursuit of timeless creation.
“Watchmaking, like filmmaking, is a marriage of imagination and precision,” Coppola once remarked in an interview. The sale, while practical, is also symbolic — a reminder that art, passion, and perseverance often come with personal sacrifice.
Despite parting with much of his collection, Coppola revealed that he plans to keep an Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar “to give to my great grandson,” preserving a tangible piece of his legacy. He also shared that he had already gifted his Rolex “to a neighbour who was a hero in Afghanistan,” showing his deep sense of gratitude and personal generosity.
Why This Auction Matters
This auction represents more than a sale of rare watches — it encapsulates the journey of a filmmaker who has consistently blurred the boundaries between art forms. Coppola’s collaboration with F.P. Journe is one of the rare moments where cinema and horology truly intersect, producing a work of mechanical art that tells time like a film tells a story — moment by moment, frame by frame.
Collectors see the sale as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own objects that reflect Coppola’s artistic vision and creative spirit. For the film industry, it’s a poignant reminder of the financial realities that even great directors face in pursuing independent cinema.
The Upcoming Sale and Global Anticipation
Phillips’ December 6 auction is expected to draw elite watch collectors, art investors, and Hollywood insiders alike. Experts predict that the FFC alone could command multi-million-dollar bids, given its unique origin, aesthetic brilliance, and cultural significance.
Coppola’s candid approach — blending humility with creative determination — has struck a chord globally. His statement, “I need to get some money to keep the ship afloat,” encapsulates the relentless pursuit of artistry that has defined his career for more than five decades.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming auction is not just about selling watches; it’s about sustaining the dream of a visionary filmmaker who has given the world some of its greatest cinematic masterpieces. His collaboration with F.P. Journe stands as a testament to what happens when storytelling meets precision engineering.
As collectors prepare to bid, one thing remains certain — whether in film or timekeeping, Coppola’s creations will continue to tick in the hearts of those who value both art and authenticity.