AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionAuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for Auction
The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
Al Capone’s pocket watch is heading to the auction block at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale on June 10 in New York.
New York—A pocket watch formerly owned by Al Capone is a highlight of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches auction.
The custom watch, circa 1919, features his initials, “AC,” on the reverse side of the case, spelled out in an Art Deco style with 90 single-cut diamonds.
The dial side features an “open face” design with Breguet numerals and a period-correct “long signature,” said the auction house.
“The dial has dramatically aged over the years, and the minute hand is no longer with the watch—we can only speculate as to how or why this happened, but suffice it to say, this watch has more than a few stories it could tell,” said Sotheby’s.
Al Capone’s pocket watch sits atop a paper with his granddaughter Barbara Capone’s signature. His widow, Mae Capone, left his heirlooms to their only child, Sonny, and their son’s daughters Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
His family told the auction house that they don’t know where he purchased the watch, but they do know that he got rid of its original plain case and commissioned a new one in solid platinum.
Capone, one of the most notorious figures in American pop culture, was also known for his fashion choices.
The American businessman-turned-gangster had a flamboyant style and lavish tastes, said Sotheby’s, and this watch was “befitting for a man known for his inimitable style, who single-handedly came to define the look of the American gangster.”
The watch has a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 to $160,000.
The timepiece was up for auction in 2021 as part of a sale at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California, titled “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone.”
Mae Capone, the widow of Al Capone, passed her husband’s heirlooms down to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to their son’s daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped orchestrate the auction at Witherell’s.
At the time, the pocket watch sold for $229,900, exceeding its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
The previous buyer is the person selling the pocket watch, said a Sotheby’s spokesperson.
It is one of several Patek Philippe timepieces for sale on June 10 in New York.
The auction lineup also includes six minute repeaters, an “unprecedented” number in a single sale, said Sotheby’s, and a sapphire-set Nautilus.
There are also three double-signed vintage timepieces, including a pink gold 2nd series Ref. 2499 retailed by Gobbi Milano, which Sotheby’s said is the only one known to exist.
“These aren’t just rare watches—they're the best examples of the rarest Patek watches,” said Sotheby’s.
The Important Watches auction will be on view, free and open to the public, from June 6-9 at Sotheby’s New York galleries.
For more information on the auction, visit the Sotheby’s website.
The American businessman-turned-gangster had a flamboyant style and lavish tastes, said Sotheby’s, and this watch was “befitting for a man known for his inimitable style, who single-handedly came to define the look of the American gangster.”
The watch has a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 to $160,000.
The timepiece was up for auction in 2021 as part of a sale at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California, titled “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone.”
Mae Capone, the widow of Al Capone, passed her husband’s heirlooms down to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to their son’s daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped orchestrate the auction at Witherell’s.
At the time, the pocket watch sold for $229,900, exceeding its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
The previous buyer is the person selling the pocket watch, said a Sotheby’s spokesperson.
It is one of several Patek Philippe timepieces for sale on June 10 in New York.
The auction lineup also includes six minute repeaters, an “unprecedented” number in a single sale, said Sotheby’s, and a sapphire-set Nautilus.
There are also three double-signed vintage timepieces, including a pink gold 2nd series Ref. 2499 retailed by Gobbi Milano, which Sotheby’s said is the only one known to exist.
“These aren’t just rare watches—they're the best examples of the rarest Patek watches,” said Sotheby’s.
The Important Watches auction will be on view, free and open to the public, from June 6-9 at Sotheby’s New York galleries.
For more information on the auction, visit the Sotheby’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
SourcingSep 16, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Launches Retailer Accreditation ProgramBen Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
