Watch Elvis gave to his best man could fetch over $12,000 at auction

By Adam Dutton via SWNS

A designer watch given by Elvis Presley to his best man and lifelong friend to celebrate his wedding day could fetch more than £10,000 ($12,017) at auction.

The King of Rock 'n' Roll gifted the Swiss timepiece to close pal Marty Lacker when he tied the knot with Priscilla on May 1, 1967 in Las Vegas.

Marty, a member of the Memphis Mafia, was best man at the wedding and among just a handful of guests who attended the ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel 55 years ago.

The one-of-a-kind personalized watch is believed to have been given to Marty as a thank you for being best man and he also wore it at the wedding.

Experts say the timepiece has been nicknamed ‘the groom’s watch’ by fans who recognize its importance as a symbol of Elvis and Marty’s enduring friendship.

The Swiss-made gold-finished watch, custom made by Harry Levitch Fine Jewelers, of Memphis, Tennessee will now go under the hammer on December 8.

It is expected to fetch between £5,000-£10,000 ($6,000- $12,017) when it's sold by Hansons Auctioneers.

The seller, a 49-year-old Cheshire businessman and dad-of-two, said he was given the piece of musical memorabilia while working at Graceland as a watch designer.

“There is only one in the world and it’s been hanging in a frame behind my drum kit in my music room for 20 years," he said.

“Elvis had Marty’s name printed on the dial making it completely exclusive.

“It was given to me as a gift in 2005 when I was working as a watch designer for Graceland, Elvis’s former home in Memphis, Tennessee, which by that time was a museum.

"Being a huge Elvis fan, I’ve always treasured it but the time has come to let someone else enjoy owning it.

“It’s special because Marty was one of Elvis’s most trusted friends.

"He was part of the Memphis Mafia, a group of men who lived and worked with, and for, Elvis.”

Marty, who also worked in the music business, was best man alongside Joe Esposito, Elvis' road manager and friend.

He was said to be instrumental in arranging the recording of the landmark 'From Elvis in Memphis' album in 1969.

If not for Marty, Elvis might not have gone to record hits such as 'Suspicious Minds' and 'In the Ghetto'.

Claire Howell, music memorabilia specialist at Hansons, said: “I see some good Elvis-related memorabilia from time to time but this watch has the wow factor.

"It’s part and parcel of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s incredible story life, and a timely reminder of true friendship.

“Marty and Elvis went back years. They met in junior High School in Memphis. Marty was one of two best men chosen by Elvis when he tied the knot with Priscilla.

"He worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for the legendary singer and was also his sounding board.

“Their friendship spanned three decades and after Elvis’s sudden death in 1977 aged only 42 Marty ensured his friend’s memory continued to shine bright.

"He became a tireless advocate for Elvis sharing memories and anecdotes that delight fans to this day.

"Marty passed away at the age of 80 in 2017 and was loyal to Elvis until the end. This watch is a symbol of their special friendship.”