Al Capone's diamond-studded pocket watch sold for $84,375
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, September 9, 2025


Al Capone's diamond-studded pocket watch sold for $84,375
A platinum rounded triangular pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Company.



BOSTON, MASS.- Al Capone's diamond-studded pocket watch sold for $84,375 according to Boston-based RR Auction.

The platinum rounded triangular pocket watch made by the Illinois Watch Company, with the circumference of front bezel set with a series of seventy-two cut diamonds, a platinum face, and gold-tone impressed numerals and watch hands; the reverse of the case bears the initials "AC," which consists of twenty-three cut diamonds, and is encircled by twenty-six more. Includes the original 12″ watch chain made of 14K white gold.

Eager to be perceived as an elegant gentleman, the formidable Capone was fastidious about his appearance and style, forgoing subtlety in favor of fine, flashy suits, large pinky rings, and no shortage of diamonds. Capone insisted that his Chicago Outfit also dress the part, and required each of his men to wear gray fedoras and spotless tailored suits.

The pocket watch is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Eric Griese, the great-grandson of Al Capone, in part: "Shortly after the passing of Albert Francis 'Sonny' Capone, his daughter, Barbara Prince, nee Capone, a resident of California, delivered the watch described below to me, along with other personal property that at one time was the personal property of my great grand father, Alphonse G. Capone.”

“My great grandfather had given this material to my grandfather; my grandfather Albert Francis 'Sonny' Capone told his daughter Barbara Prince that this property was to be given to me following his death."

“It’s a brilliant pocket watch that exudes all of the Ritz and power redolent of the one of most notorious gangsters,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.

Among the other museum quality pieces to featured:

Bonnie Parker’s three headed snake ring, sold for $25,000. The ring features green and red jewels, likely manufactured by the Uncas jewelry company in the early 1930s; the ring was recovered from their disabled vehicle by Sheriff Smoot Schmid after the ‘Sowers Raid’ in 1933.

Al Capone’s handwritten musical manuscript to "Humoresque," sold for $18,750. The song was penned by the musically inclined former public enemy number one while incarcerated at Alcatraz. Crime-boss and legendary Gangster Alphonse “Al” Capone is well known for controlling a large part of Chicago’s underworld during the Prohibition era, and his image reached celebrity status in the Windy City and beyond. Less well known, of course, is the fact that Capone had a softer side: he was a jazz and opera aficionado, going so far as to form a band while imprisoned and writing his own music.

Bonnie and Clyde handwritten ‘So Long’ letter to Ray Hamilton, sold for $16,250. The four-page letter written in the hand of Bonnie Parker and signed at the conclusion by Clyde Barrow, circa late April 1934.

Two original 1933 Bonnie Parker & Clyde Barrow Arrest Warrants, sold for $8,125.

The Gangsters, Outlaws, and Lawmen live auction event from RR Auction took place on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at the Royal Sonesta Boston, 40 Edwin Land Boulevard, Cambridge, MA.










Today's News

June 26, 2017

SFMOMA presents the global debut of Edvard Munch: Between the Clock and the Bed

Exhibition of more than 240 works explores Gauguin's ambition to push boundaries and defy definition

Hauser & Wirth unites two great figures of 20th- century American sculpture

Boijmans this Summer: A platform for contemporary art

Kunsthaus Zürich stages Action!: An exhibition on action art with a wealth of live performances

Abstract painter Peter Joseph opens his first exhibiion with Lisson Gallery

The Cleveland Museum of Art announces new acquisitions

Modern Art Oxford presents chapters from Aleksandra Mir’s new work Space Tapestry

Al Capone's diamond-studded pocket watch sold for $84,375

Exhibition 'Reigning Men' traces 300 years of men's fashionable dress

South African bead art on display at the Dayton Art Institute this summer

Juliètte Jongma gallery exhibits works by Johan Jensen Kjeldsen

Museum presents exhibition of work by one of illustration's original "Mad Men"

Exhibition brings together painting, photography, video and archival materials

New and unseen work by Vivienne Dick and Nan Goldin on view at the Irish Museum of Modern Art

High Mueeum of Art features Magdalene Odundo ceramics

Calvert 22 Foundation presents a group show on writing and rewriting history

Artemis Gallery to auction antiquities, Asian, Russian, ethnographic, and Spanish Colonial art

Celaya Brothers Gallery opens solo show by Mexican artist Laura Meza Orozco

Es Baluard museum presents the exhibition 'Ciutat de vacances'

SmartWritingService: Art essay writing service

1960 Mercedes Benz 190SL barnfind for sale with H&H Classics

Cécile B. Evans opens solo exhibition 'Sprung a leak' at M




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 




Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)


Editor: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful