Buddy Holly Watch Fetches $155,350

DALLAS (AP) _ The diamond-studded watch Buddy Holly was wearing when he was killed in a plane crash has been sold at auction for $155,350. <br/><br/>The buyer was a woman near San Francisco who wanted

Monday, April 17th 2006, 10:09 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ The diamond-studded watch Buddy Holly was wearing when he was killed in a plane crash has been sold at auction for $155,350.

The buyer was a woman near San Francisco who wanted to remain anonymous, said Heritage Auction Galleries spokesman Doug Norwine. He said she was a ``tremendous'' fan of the rock 'n' roll pioneer and had even flown to London and New York to see a musical based on his life.

``She didn't buy it as in investment,'' Norwine said. ``She just really loved his music and is starting her collection.''

Holly received the diamond-and-white gold Omega wristwatch as a gift from his wife, Maria Elena Holly. He wore it ``the day the music died'' on Feb. 3, 1959, when he and singers Ritchie Valens and J.P. ``The Big Bopper'' Richardson were killed in a plane crash in Iowa. Holly was 22.

The watch is inscribed ``Buddy Holly 12-1-58,'' the date his wife gave it to him as an early Christmas present. It was recovered at the crash site. Later, Holly's father, Laurence, wore it in honor of his son in the family's hometown of Lubbock.

Also sold at the auction Saturday was Holly's passport for $26,290 to a different buyer, who also wanted to remain anonymous.

Despite his short career, Holly wrote several legendary songs, including ``Peggy Sue,'' ``That'll Be The Day'' and ``Maybe Baby.''