Crafted by Swiss luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe around 1919, the timepiece is a dazzling representation of Capone’s flamboyant lifestyle. It features his initials, “AC,” spelled out in Art Deco-style using 90 single-cut diamonds—each of VS clarity and EF color. Despite being nearly a century old and missing a minute hand, the watch carries a presale estimate of $80,000 to $160,000.
Known for running one of the most profitable crime syndicates in American history, Capone amassed wealth through bootlegging, gambling, and other illicit trades, generating what would now amount to nearly $1.8 billion annually. His high-living reputation included tailored suits, flashy accessories, and the ever-present fedora.
After Capone was imprisoned for tax evasion, most of his assets were confiscated. However, the watch remained a family keepsake. His widow, Mae, passed it to their son Sonny, and decades later, Sonny’s daughters auctioned it through Witherell’s in 2015. The piece fetched $229,000—more than four times its high estimate.
Now returning to the auction block, the watch will be one of the headline lots in Sotheby’s Important Watches sale, which features an array of rare and collectible Patek Philippe models.
Capone’s timepiece offers not just a glimpse into horological craftsmanship but a tangible connection to one of America’s most infamous historical figures.
