Dr. Guido Urbach of Kohli Urbach Partner provided insight in the Case of John Lennon's Missing Patek Philippe Watch in The New Yorker

In 1980, John Lennon received a Patek Philippe 2499 watch as a fortieth birthday gift from his wife, Yoko Ono. This rare and highly valuable watch, featuring an intricate perpetual-calendar chronograph, became a significant part of Lennon’s personal collection. Tragically, Lennon was fatally shot two months later, and the watch, along with his other possessions, remained largely unnoticed for decades.

The watch's story took a dramatic turn in 2005 when it was stolen from a locked room in Ono's Dakota apartment. The thief, Koral Karsan, a former chauffeur for Ono, took advantage of his trusted position to steal not only the watch but also other valuable Lennon memorabilia. Karsan’s actions went unnoticed for several years until the watch reappeared in Europe.

In 2013, the stolen Patek 2499 surfaced when it was offered to Auctionata, a digital auction platform. The auction house, recognizing the watch's historical and monetary value, attempted to sell it discreetly. However, the sale was complicated by the watch's murky provenance. Yoko Ono, upon learning of the watch’s appearance at Christie's for appraisal, initiated legal actions to reclaim it.

The case culminated in a legal battle in Switzerland, where ownership was contested between Ono and an individual known as Mr. A, who claimed to have purchased the watch legally. The Swiss courts have been involved in adjudicating the rightful ownership of the watch, with the Tribunal Federal, Switzerland’s Supreme Court, expected to issue a final ruling.

Dr. Guido Urbach, a distinguished legal expert of Kohli Urbach Partner provided essential assistance to the journalist investigating this intricate case. Dr. Urbach’s expertise in international law and his in-depth knowledge of the Swiss legal system were instrumental in navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding the watch. His insights helped unravel the legal intricacies and provided clarity on the proceedings, contributing significantly to the comprehensive coverage of the story.

The case not only highlights the watch's incredible journey but also underscores the challenges of recovering stolen artifacts and the legal complexities involved in international disputes. The final decision by the Swiss Supreme Court is eagerly awaited, with the potential to set significant legal precedents for future cases of a similar nature.

Read Full article: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/06/24/the-strange-journey-of-john-lennons-stolen-patek-phillippe-watch.