Francis Ford Coppola Auctions Watches After $120M Megalopolis Loss

Renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is auctioning off seven luxury watches following the commercial failure of his 2024 sci-fi film "Megalopolis," which he personally financed with approximately $120 million but earned only about $14.3 million worldwide. Coppola, who invested heavily in the project, even selling a large stake in his wine company Inglenook to fund the film, stated that he needs to raise money to keep afloat. Among the watches is a unique $1 million prototype co-designed with Swiss watchmaker François-Paul Journe, featuring a titanium hand that indicates time by extending and retracting fingers; this watch was inspired by a conversation between Coppola and Journe and took nearly a decade to develop. The auction, managed by Phillips, will take place in New York City in December and includes other luxury timepieces like Patek Philippe, Blancpain, IWC, and Breguet. Coppola has openly acknowledged his financial struggles post-failure, emphasizing his commitment to creating artistic masterpieces despite the financial setback. The documentary "Megadoc" (2025) chronicles the making and downfall of "Megalopolis," showcasing Coppola's dedication to his vision despite the losses.