The comedian has a checkered on-screen history with timepieces. In a 1992 Seinfeld episode, Jerry threw a $60 watch from his parents in the trash. Uncle Leo fished it out, and Jerry wound up confronting him in a bathroom, only to make successive bids to get it back—a whopping $350—but his father walked in on the deal mid-payment.

The watch the real Seinfeld is selling from his personal collection has a very different chain of custody (no fictional uncles involved). It starts at Daytona International Speedway in 1968, where Victor Elford helped steer Porsche to victory in the 24 Hours of Daytona race. Still in his racing suit, Elford was presented with the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239.

Elford, a British driver nicknamed “Quick Vic” who died in 2022, had won the Monte Carlo Rally just weeks earlier. A longtime Porsche collector, Seinfeld, at an auction in 2014, snapped up the Porsche 907 Elford had driven, along with the ceremonial Rolex.

Seinfeld had the Elford Daytona returned to its race-day look: hands color-matched to the dial’s hour-markers, a period-correct Tropic 21 crystal, a repaired rivet on the original Oyster bracelet, and a period presentation box.

The watch is currently on a world tour, making stops in London, Geneva, and Hong Kong before ultimately ending up under the hammer in New York. Phillips estimates the stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona at a low estimate of $100,000–$200,000.

Seinfeld fans know Jerry has a rival. So does the Elford Daytona. (Hello, Newman.)

In 2017, Paul Newman’s own Daytona Ref. 6239 sold for $17.75 million, at Phillips New York, which the house says is still the highest price for any vintage wristwatch at auction.

Seinfeld didn’t yada yada the significance of his soon-to-be-auctioned Rolex.

“I’ve always loved objects that not only serve a purpose but have a great story behind them. This Daytona watch has one of the best. When I acquired the Porsche 907 that won Daytona in 1968, the watch was already part of its lore. They made history together. It has been a privilege to be the steward of both, and I’m excited to see this watch begin its next chapter with another collector,” Seinfeld said in a statement released by Phillips.

The watch comes with a 2010 letter from Rolex U.S.A. confirming it was presented to Elford for the 1968 win, a signed provenance letter from Elford, and a 2005 Rolex service invoice bearing his name.