Al Capone's Rolex Prince was ideal for a 1920s Chicagoan gangster

Capone helped gangsters replace cowboys as the American antiheroes all boys secretly aspired to be Over the years his life story has been the subject of several movies, books and TV shows including Capone released this week, in which Tom Hardy depicts his final syphilis-ridden days in Miami The gangster style of Al Capone took the dress of a successful businessman and dialled up the flair: pinstripes were louder, shoulders broader, waists more nipped in, spatz and brogues shinier and pointier and, of course, homburg hats worn at a more rakish angle than a real executive ever would.

Al Capone would choose an up-and-coming brand which was making a name for itself as a byword for reliability and stylish design: Rolex Wristwatches were only just beginning to come into fashion and Capone's Rolex Prince has a ritzy art deco look to it rather than the masculine tool watches the company is now famous for The "Prince" line has long been discontinued and most of Rolex's dress watches now fall under the "Cellini" moniker.

Just as beautiful was a triangular pocket watch Capone had custom-made for him by the Illinois Watch Company featuring 72 cut diamonds, platinum face and the initials "AC" made out of 23 diamonds, all of which hung on a 14-karat white-gold chain. . Source