Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Watch - Owned & Worn By MLK's Friend Harry Bellafonte with COA NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Watch - OWNED & WORN BY MLK's FRIEND HARRY BELLAFONTE with COA Certificate of Authenticity - Full Provenance with 2 COAs - 1 Year Warranty Today’s offering showcases a special treasure from our Celebrity Collection: A Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative wristwatch personally owned and worn by the legendary Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Harry Belafonte Few objects more perfectly capture the intersection of art, conscience, and history than this commemorative timepiece once owned by legendary performer and humanitarian Harry Belafonte. Created by Image Watches Inc. of California to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it bears on its dial the distinctive crest and Latin motto Vanae Leges Sine Moribus—“Laws without morals are useless.” Elegant and minimalist in its design, the watch evokes the dignity and restraint of its subject, its gold-tone case framing the emblem of one of history’s greatest moral leaders. For Belafonte—Dr. King’s close friend, confidant, and chief fundraiser during the civil-rights era—the piece would have carried profound resonance. He stood on the front lines beside Dr. King, helping organize the March on Washington, financing the Freedom Rides, and using his voice to champion justice worldwide. Owning his MLK Commemorative watch is not merely possessing a celebrity artifact; it is holding a tangible link to America’s conscience—an emblem worn by the man who sang for freedom and stood for it. Far more than an entertainer, Belafonte was an artist who reshaped culture - he also happened to be a watch collector. Harry Belafonte was one of the most celebrated entertainers of the 20th century—a trailblazing singer, actor, and activist whose artistry reshaped popular culture. Dubbed the “King of Calypso,” he introduced Caribbean music to mainstream audiences around the globe. His landmark 1956 album Calypso became the first LP in history to sell more than one million copies, fueled by the enduring popularity of Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)—a song that remains especially recognizable to this day. His warm, charismatic stage presence and magnetic voice made him a household name, while his work in film, including Carmen Jones and Island in the Sun, broke new ground for Black actors in Hollywood. Detailed Appraisal: Manufacturer: Image Watches Inc. of California Country of Origin: U.S.A. Model: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Designed for: Men Case material: Gold-plated with stainless steel back Year Made: c. 2010s Functions: Hours, Minutes Case condition: Excellent condition; we left it just as we acquired it which includes signs of wear and a bit of dirt. Dimensions: 34mm diameter (excluding crown), by just over 40 mm lug-to-lug Dial: White with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. crest and Latin motto, printed black and maroon details, gold hands, as new condition Hands: Gold lance-style Movement type: Quartz Crown: Gold-tone fluted with black cabochon insert Crystal: Glass, excellent condition Band: Original, leather strap with signed buckle Width between lugs: 18mm Serviced: We have not cleaned or polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it - we left it just as it was last used by Mr. Bellafonte. On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Warranty: One-year international warranty on the movement and its function. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. Box/Papers: BOX - Watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate SKU 10281