DALLAS — A legendary relic of New York Yankees history is headed to auction this month. Babe Ruth’s 1923 World Series championship watch is expected to fetch $3 million or more at Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, set for August 23–24 in Dallas.
It is being hailed as perhaps “the most significant piece of Yankees championship memorabilia” in existence.
A rare symbol of a historic title
The watch is a 14‑karat gold, pentagon‑shaped Gruen VeriThin pocket watch. An engraved scene of a pitcher, batter, catcher and flying ball is framed by the words “Yankees, World’s Champions 1923.”
Originally presented to Babe Ruth by the Baseball Commissioner, the case bears the inscription “Presented by Baseball Commissioner to George H. Ruth.”
Ruth later added engraving on the upper edge of the case with his name. Inside, he added: “To My Pal Charles Schwefel.” Schwefel was by Ruth’s side during his terminal illness.
Journey from Ruth legend to auction block
Ruth held onto the timepiece until late in his life. It passed to his friend Charles (Charlie) Schwefel, who cared for him during his cancer. Upon Schwefel’s death, his nephew Lewis Fern inherited the watch. In 1988, Fern sold it to a private collector.
The watch first appeared at auction in 2014, where it sold for $717,000.
Now it returns with far higher expectations. Heritage calls it “the greatest treasure ever to emerge from the team’s bulging trophy case. This is the official and only award presented to George Herman Ruth for his contributions in claiming the first New York Yankees World Championship.”
A championship born in 1923
The item celebrates one of the most important seasons in Yankees history. In 1923, the Yankees claimed their first-ever World Series title, defeating their cross‑town rivals, the New York Giants, in six games.
That year also marked the opening of the brand‑new Yankee Stadium—later dubbed “the House that Ruth Built.” The rivalry was fierce. The Yankees were long tenants at the Polo Grounds. Giants players refused to change in Yankees’ locker rooms. They walked to games already in uniform.
Babe Ruth led the club. He crushed three home runs in the series, batted .368, and helped inaugurate the Bronx dynasty. The Yankees now boast 27 World Series championships.
Record-setting memorabilia
Ruth continues to dominate sports memorabilia. In August 2024, his 1932 World Series “Called Shot” jersey sold for a record $24.1 million.
Babe Ruth’s 1923 championship watch is more than a timepiece. It is a symbol. It connects a legendary moment to a legendary life. It evokes the birth of the Yankees as champions. It recalls the man who made them great.
It carries provenance, emotion, and memory. And it may set a new mark in auction history.
Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction will take place August 23–24 in Dallas. The watch is expected to draw global attention—and possibly a record-setting bid.
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