Luminox from Admiral William H. McRaven Navy Seals wristwatch photo by Ty Alexander
Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis on March 13, 2013, when he was named the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked for a time as a bouncer and a janitor as a young man before training to be a chemist and working as a technician in a food science laboratory. After recovering from a severe illness, he was inspired to join the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1958.
The simplicity and clean lines of his Swatch Watch with its day-date, snow white dial to us, reflects the life of His Holiness. This iconic Swatch Model SUOB705, cleared its final inspection on June 6, 2018. This historic watch comes with a poignant letter of authenticity from the Personal Secretary of His Holiness, Fr. Fabio Salernon to the LaViolette Family and members of the Brian LaViolette Foundation.
As it turns out, Brian LaViolette himself saved his hard-earned money to purchase a Swatch watch, a Swatch Jellyfish was the final watch added to his collection. The very watch that his father Doug wears on dress up days now.
Never before has Pope Francis offered such a unique gift to any recognized United States charitable organization. An organization that honors the life and memory of a young boy from Green Bay Wisconsin to help others pursue their dreams in higher education through a scholarship foundation that bears his name.
Zodiac from Kenny Rogers 'Marine Life' stainless steel wristwatch photo by Ty Alexander
The Brian LaViolette Foundation was formed by the LaViolette family to honor the memory of their son, Brian, who passed away in a swimming accident in Green Bay, Wisconsin when he was just fifteen years old in 1992. Brian was not only an excellent student, athlete, and musician, but he loved watches, starting his own collection when he was four years of age.
Since 1992, the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has presented 1,058 scholarships to deserving college-bound students in Northeastern Wisconsin, the United States, and other parts of the world. The Foundation continues Brian's legacy by helping high school seniors financially to achieve their educational dreams and, at the same time, providing them with encouragement and inspiration.
By providing yearly scholarships to today's students, our mission is to honor hard work and community service, to offer inspiration, and to share the believe that "The Journey is the Reward."
Learn More
Auction / Chicago
30 November 2022
11 am central
Preview / Chicago
23 – 30 November 2022
10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday
or by appointment
Additional Information
jewelry@ragoarts.com
312 563 0020
Tag Heuer from Mason Crosby 'Aquaracer' titanium wristwatch photo by Ty Alexander
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Curated: The Library and Design Collection of James Zemaitis
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