The watch estimated at €1200-2200 at Neumeister.
Frido has often been described as Mann’s favourite grandson and on this occasion he presented Gret with his gilt-silver wristwatch, a typical time-keeper from the 1930s.
He instructed his daughter-in-law to keep the watch for Frido, in case he was never to see him again, as he was soon returning to California.
Five years later to the day, Mann died – in Zurich as it turned out – and soon afterwards, Frido was given his watch as a memento. It is now being auctioned by Neumeister in Munich on December 7-8 with a guide of €1200-2200. The proceeds are going to Frido’s interfaith organisation Weltkloster.
