Lot # 1914: Only Known 1973 Cotton Bowl Player Rolex/Tudor Watch - Presented to Alabama Lineman Buddy Pope

As college football bowl game specialists and watch collectors at large well know, Rolex's 1967-1976 affiliation with football was the Golden Age for Cotton Bowl player watches. Finding an example from the 1973 Cotton Bowl has proven to be a Holy Grail quest. We have never encountered one from this Texas versus Alabama match up, and no one else has either, that is until now. Proudly offered is the 1973 Rolex Tudor Cotton Bowl watch presented to Alabama Crimson Tide offensive tackle Buddy Pope. One of the few Cotton Bowl presentation watches from 1967-1976 era to be offered at auction in the 21st Century, this 1973 edition is also the only known example from that particular game. Engraved at center on the back of this handsome watch is the name Herman Pope Jr., ringed by the legend Original Oyster Case By Rolex Geneva and a crown logo. The watch face is decorated with the Cotton Bowl logo and the legend 1973 Cotton Bowl Classic. A date inset window is positioned at 3 o'clock and the watch is running, though the clasp on the steel band, which is adorned with a die cut crown logo, does not fasten securely. Otherwise, this quality timepiece is very handsome.