Legendary Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola is taking a unique approach to managing his finances after the financial setback of his 2024 film Megalopolis. The acclaimed filmmaker, now 86 years old, has decided to auction off seven luxury watches from his extensive personal collection. This move comes after the film, which was expected to be a major success, ended up being a commercial failure.
Coppola invested over $100 million into making Megalopolis, an epic sci-fi film that received mixed reviews and only managed to earn just over $14 million at the box office. Despite the lack of financial success, the film remains a significant part of his career, reflecting his deep passion for storytelling and filmmaking.
The auction, hosted by Phillips—a renowned platform for selling high-end watches, art, and jewelry—features a variety of timepieces from Coppola’s collection. Each watch is estimated to range in value from $3,000 to $240,000, showcasing the breadth of his interests and investments.
One standout item in the auction is a custom-designed watch created by Coppola in collaboration with the Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe in 2014. A limited number of these watches were released in 2021, with each one retailing for around $1, according to reports. The design features a gloved hand at its center, with the fingers moving to indicate the time. This unique piece highlights Coppola's creative vision and his appreciation for craftsmanship.
In addition to the custom watch, the auction includes two Patek Philippe models, another F.P. Journe, a Blancpain Minute Repeater, an IWC Chronograph, and a Breguet Classique. These pieces are not only valuable but also represent the pinnacle of horological artistry.
Coppola has been open about his financial situation, admitting to The New York Times that he is broke following the failure of Megalopolis. He stated, “I need to get some money to keep the ship afloat.” His candidness reflects the challenges faced by independent filmmakers who invest heavily in their projects.
In March, Coppola shared similar sentiments with record producer Rick Rubin, expressing that he “doesn’t have any money” after investing all he could borrow to make Megalopolis. According to People, he also used his own funds to finance much of the film. In 2021, he sold a majority stake in Inglenook, his wine business, to support his passion project.
Megalopolis featured a star-studded cast, including Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, and Nathalie Emmanuel. Coppola had been conceptualizing the film since 1983, with production beginning and halting several times over the decades.
The making and downfall of Megalopolis were documented in Megadoc, a 2025 documentary directed by Mike Figgis. The film provided an inside look at Coppola’s vision and creative process. In the documentary, Coppola poses a rhetorical question: “Who cares if you die broke,” he asks at the beginning of the film, “if you made something that you think is beautiful?”
The auction with Phillips will take place on December 6. The Daily Beast has reached out to Coppola’s representatives for comment.
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