Closed | Important watches – Saturday 14 November 2015

Hans Olof Jeppson ( 10 May 1925-21 February 2013), with Swedish nickname ”Hasse Guldfot” (Hasse Goldenfoot) was a Swedish football player who played several years in Italy and also helped Sweden to conquer the World Cup bronze in Brazil 1950. Jeppson started his Swedish career in Örgryte IS and later went on to play for Djurgårdens IF. He moved to London to study in the winter 1950-1951 and combined his studies with playing for Charlton Athletic FC. This made him the second Swedish player ever to play for an English team.

Jeppson returned to Djurgården and was the top scorer in Sweden that year making 17 goals before he was transferred to the Italian football club Atalanta. In 1952 he was bought to Napoli by ship owner Achille Lauro who wanted to become the Mayor of Naples and therefore promised the citizens of the city that he would get them the world’s greatest forward. That would cost him 105 million lira, a new world record transfer-fee, and Jeppson got the nickname “O’ Banco e´Napule” (the bank of Naples). During his time in Napoli (1952-56) Jeppson played 112 matches and scored 52 goals. He later finished his career in Torino 1956-57.

At this auction we are proud to present two watches previously owned by Jeppson. Lot number 73, a Breitling Premier, was bought by Jeppson for his first pay check as a professional in Charlton.