Two of Al Capone's granddaughters, Diane and Barbara Capone, have just offered for auction across the Atlantic, at Witherells, many family memories, many of which belonged to their grandfather.
Among the many weapons on offer, the gangster's Colt 45 was valued at $ 150,000, when his platinum Patek Philippe pocket watch adorned with 90 diamonds was priced at
"only"
$ 12,500.
It will have made the estimates lie to be finally awarded not less than $ 229,900 (approximately 200,000 euros).
However, despite its price under the hammer, this watch stamped with the monogram of the mobster of Prohibition is no longer functional.
In addition to its yellowed dial, it even lacks the minute hand.
Whiterells
It will therefore be up to its purchaser to get closer, beyond its purchase price at auction, to the manufacture having manufactured it to have it restored.
"It is in deplorable condition, not being waterproof enough to survive the Miami climate
," said Grégory Pons, creator of the Swiss watch site Business Montres, before the sale.
Normally, in this state, it should be worth 5,000 euros.
Only, because it belonged to him, which is certified by his heirs, we go to twenty times more.
It will undoubtedly be necessary to spend as much in restoration.
But the purchaser will have a unique watch bearing the initials of Al Capone. ”
See also
Al Capone, Saddam, Kadhafi… The dark side of time fascinates collectors
Whiterells
Among the lots of this Capone family souvenir sale were also a 1931 white gold Mimo watch, very Art Deco style, having belonged to Sonny Capone, his Longines watch ($ 8,470) as well as his Elgin pocket watch from the 1940s (auctioned for $ 4,325).
Parts that were estimated at only a few hundred euros.
Whiterells
Mae Capone's platinum Jacob watch sold for $ 20,570, and Sonny Capone's Mido only sold for $ 4,538.
Obviously, the Ugly Colt 45, his
"favorite"
weapon
was the highlight of the sale, exceeding the million dollar mark, in an auction session soberly titled
"A Century of Notoriety: the Estate of Al Capone"
which will have brought in no less than $ 3 million to the heirs of the famous Chicago gangster.
