Al Capone’s Diamond-Studded Patek Philippe Pocket Watch to Hit Auction Block

A lavish platinum and diamond-set Patek Philippe pocket watch once owned by notorious gangster Al Capone will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s next month. The timepiece, a testament to Capone’s extravagant tastes, is part of the auction house’s Important Watches sale on June 10 in New York.

A Timepiece with a Notorious Past

Dating back to around 1919, the keyless-wind pocket watch originally featured a different case before Capone commissioned a bespoke platinum replacement. The dial, now aged, bears Breguet numerals and a period-accurate “long signature,” though its minute hand is missing.

The real showstopper, however, is the case back—adorned with 90 single-cut diamonds arranged to spell Capone’s initials, “A.C.” Sotheby’s estimates the watch will fetch between ​​$80,000and$160,000​​.

A Showcase of Ultra-Rare Patek Philippe Masterpieces

While Capone’s watch carries historical intrigue, the auction will also feature several even more exclusive Patek Philippe models.

• A ​​Ref. 2499 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph​​, one of only nine made annually over its 35-year production run, stands out as a unique pink gold version with a Gobbi-Milano-stamped dial. Its estimated price: ​​$3millionto$5 million​​.
• A ​​Ref. 2524​​, with fewer than 50 ever produced, is one of just two known pink gold examples. Expected to sell for ​​$1.25millionto$2.5 million​​.
• Other highlights include a ​​Ref. 5531R World Time ‘Rare Hand Crafts’​​ (featuring Lake Geneva on the dial, ​​$550,000–$1.1 million​​), a ​​Ref. 3448 Perpetual Calendar ‘Beyer’​​ (double-signed by retailer Beyer, ​​$500,000–$1 million​​), and a ​​Ref. 5711P ‘Sapphire’​​ with a bezel set with 32 sapphires (​​$300,000–$600,000​​).

Preview and Bidding Details

Collectors can view these exceptional timepieces in person at Sotheby’s New York galleries from ​​June 6 to 9​​, ahead of the live auction. Whether drawn by history, craftsmanship, or sheer opulence, bidders will have a rare chance to own a piece of horological—and, in Capone’s case, criminal—legacy.

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