Francis Ford Coppola is auctioning a rare, personally designed wristwatch to recoup some of the significant personal fortune he invested in his latest film, “Megalopolis.” The ambitious project, which he entirely self-funded, reportedly cost the director over $100 million of his own money.
The film’s commercial performance has been described as disastrous, grossing a mere $14.4 million globally. This financial outcome is particularly stark given the current cinema landscape, where audience attendance has significantly dwindled. The film’s challenging, avant-garde narrative failed to connect with a wide viewership, leaving a massive financial shortfall.
To address this, Coppola is turning to his private collection of high-end timepieces. The centerpiece of the sale is a unique watch created in collaboration with the luxury brand FP Journe. Dubbed the FFC, the timepiece features an unconventional design that tells the time using a moving, articulated human hand on its face, a concept that reflects the director’s own penchant for innovation.
The watch is expected to fetch a seven-figure sum at auction. A prototype of a similar design sold for nearly $3 million in 2021. For collectors, the value lies not only in the intricate mechanics but in owning an artifact directly linked to the iconic filmmaker’s creative vision.
This sale represents just one part of Coppola’s efforts to stabilize his finances. He is also selling other watches from his collection and has been conducting a paid lecture tour tied to the themes of his film.
Despite the financial setback, this is not the first time the 86-year-old director has risked his personal wealth for his art. Throughout his long career, Coppola has a history of financing passion projects that defy commercial conventions. While “Megalopolis” may not recoup its costs, it stands as a testament to a filmmaker willing to spend his final chapter realizing a singular, uncompromised artistic vision, regardless of the financial outcome. The auction of his prized watch is merely a footnote in a lifetime of cinematic gambles.
