22nd December, 1969: Jackie Kennedy Onassis (Photo by David Cairns/Stringer/ Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s New York Watches announced The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank as a sale highlight of its June 21st Rare Watches and American Icons New York sale. 

Originally given to Jackie from her brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill in 1963, she wore this Cartier Tank for decades, which can be seen on her wrist in many iconic photos. (Estimate: $60,000 – $120,000). The watch features the engraving: "Stas to Jackie 23 Feb. 63 2:05 am to 9:35 pm.” The times refer to the start and stop times of the famous 50-Mile Hike in Palm Beach in 1963. 

In the June 21st NY auction, the watch will also be accompanied by an original painting that Jackie made in 1963 as a gift for Stas Radziwill celebrating the hike with the dedication “February 23, 1963 2:05 am to 9:35 pm / Jackie to Stas with love and admiration”. 

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank. Estimate: $60,000 - $120,000 © Christie’s Images Limited 2017.

The 50-mile hike became a short-lived fad in early 1963 after President Kennedy publicly asked the American people to accept the mentally and physically grueling challenge of walking this long distance. His inner circle of family and friends were some of the first to attempt the hike including his friends Stas Radziwill and Chuck Spalding, featured in the painting. 

This watch and the accompanying painting, previously unknown to the public, are two of the most important historic artifacts to surface in recent years from the golden era of the Kennedy Presidency. 

John Reardon, International Head of Christie’s Watches: “The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank is a watch full of emotion, love and history. Together with Jackie’s painting, these two objects capture the spirit of another era, a time where friendship and the “can-do” optimism of the generation seemed to make anything possible. In this spirit, the consignor has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Endowment for the Arts. Christie’s Watches proudly offers this truly iconic timepiece and painting on June 21 in our New York Rockefeller Center Saleroom.” 

Further June 21st Rare Watches Live Auction details and property highlights to come.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank. Estimate: $60,000 - $120,000 © Christie’s Images Limited 2017.