Spring Premier Auction 2016

This is a breathtaking artifact from the 1971-72 UCLA Bruins undefeated basketball squad, a pristine Bulova wristwatch commemorating the team’s victory in the annual “Bruin Classic” Basketball Championship. Five years after Lew Alcindor joined the varsity and began dominating college basketball, UCLA unveiled a new sophomore class of three starters, headlined by center Bill Walton. The Bruins began the season by scoring more than 100 points in seven consecutive games and rarely were challenged, outscoring their opponents by more than 30 points per game while fashioning a 30-0 record. Walton averaged 21.1 points per game and equaled Alcindor's single-season record with 466 rebounds. The other sophomores were forward Keith Wilkes, who averaged 13.5 points per game, and point guard Greg Lee, who directed the Bruins' offense. The 1971 Bruin Classic Final game against Ohio State was a 79-53 romp, but still marked the first time the 8-0 Bruins had scored fewer than 100 points in a contest that year. The gold Bulova watch has the company logo and engraved “Champions” on the stainless steel back of the watch face. The watch face has “Bulova” and “Bruin Basketball Classic” imprinted and the date. The lizard calf leather band is in the same standout condition as the watch; the watch is working and all elements appear to be largely as-issued and problem-free. Presentation is on an elegant pillow that rests in an attractive 4-inch square and 3 inches high polished red wooden box, with white cloth interior. Simply a spectacular piece from a team that was in the throes of an NCAA record 88-game winning streak, a mark likely to survive long after this watch stops ticking, if it ever does.