The mafia, the underworld, the kingdom of gangsters, or Cosa Nostra… Whatever it is called, this illegal world has always been interesting and intriguing. This interest and curiosity comes from the mysterious nature of the mafia organizations as well as the fact that their leaders’ struggle to obtain their political and armed power is, in part, quite dramatic.
Mafia leaders, who have become famous with their bad reputations, have made their marks with their watch preferences. Since they acquired their wealth and power through illegal ways, these bad boys have always tried to keep high their images in the society and hence, they have resorted to status symbols.
For example; while the world’s most famous gangster and Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar, nicknamed El Patron, resorted to the most brutal methods to maintain his power, on the other hand he has always taken care of his appearance to keep high his image before the society. Having 80% of the world’s cocaine trafficking under his control during his lifetime and taking firm steps towards the Columbian presidency due to the political power he gained, Pablo Escobar, who was killed in an operation mounted by the American anti-drug organization DEA, preferred, far from modesty, a diamond-plated, yellow gold Rolex Day-Date as his watch choice. Known as a watch of prestige, this piece has also been preferred by many world leaders, businessmen and visionaries. First released in 1956, the model has come to the forefront as the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch of the world, with a window showing the day and date all at once. The model used by Pablo Escobar is especially known as one of the most ostentatious models. The watch worn by El Patron was auctioned by the Columbian government, and this watch, with an estimated value of at least $70,000, found its buyer for only $8,500. Since the buyer wanted his name to be kept secret, the whereabouts of the watch has been remaining unknown for now. Like the never fading bad reputation of El Patron, his Rolex Day-Date shall also come to the stage surely one day.
Many considers Al Capone as one of the biggest gangsters the American dream has created. Like all his counterparts, Al Capone, too, used blind violence to keep power in his hands and force his rivals to obey, but, contrary to the other patrons, Al Capone did this as publicly as possible. Being frequently reported in the news due to this, he ensures his bad reputation to spread among wider masses. In this regards, it may be said that the endeavor of the organized crime syndicates to increase their efficiencies on the traditional media in the past and social media today dates back to Al Capone. Like many gangsters, Al Capone, too, uses a Rolex but he differs at a point with his choice; Al Capone’s choice is a Prince model with rectangular bezel instead of the well-known Rolex with circular bezel. Surprisingly, this model is less known even by the Rolex Enthusiasts but must be absolutely known. The Prince model dates back further than all known Rolex models . Produced in 1928, the model takes its rectangular shape from its mechanism designed in the same way. It is known that it was designed in this way since the larger mainspring barrel, which was employed for a power reserve of more than two days, could be fitted to a rectangular mechanism only. Typically, it displays the second on a sub-dial and since it made it easier, with this aspect, to count the pulse and heartbeat, it is also known as the “doctor watch.” The price of this extraordinary Rolex is evaluated at about $17,000.
Referred by the historians as the father of organized crimes and providing the inspiration for all the gangster films we saw, Lucky Luciano would be considered as the creator of the modern mafia organization in the sense we know. Coming to America aboard a ship when he was only 9 years old, Luciano owes his fortune and bad reputation to the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. Luciano, who was one of the violent drink smugglers in the world, was freed from expiating his crimes in the jail , and deported, and lived in Italy as a free man till the end of his life. It is known that Lucky Luciano was a real watch enthusiast and even owned a large watch collection the track of which has been lost. What remained us concretely from him is only a Patek Philippe Calavatra that he presented as a gift to Joseph Bonnano, another organized crime syndicate leader. This model is not only one of the most iconic designs known but it also has one of the high quality mechanisms. Moreover, it is known as one of the models with the highest secondhand prices. The timepiece used by Bonnano later found its buyer for $35,000. Along with all these features, its reputation as the best suit complement is among the features that make the piece indispensable.
Speaking of the mafia and organized crime, it is not possible not to mention Yakuza and therefore Jiro Yanagawa. Jiro Yanagawa joins Yakuza at a young age due to hunger and deprivation, and reaches the top climbing the steps in threes and fives. He is considered among the most brutal, known patrons of Yakuza that has exceedingly spread its organization and bad reputation not only in Japan and the Eastern world but also in the West. Yanagawa is far from being only an ordinary crime syndicate leader. He establishes his political relations so sound that he acts as the Korean ambassador in Japan. His watch preference is compatible with this feature of him. He prefers Patek Philippe Nautilus model that is a piece preferred by the people with large impact. This model was offered in 1976 as a luxury watch, an extension of nautical lifestyle. Gerald Genta, who undertook its design, developed the stripes on the dial of the model with an inspiration from the yachts’ teak furnishings, and the bezel with an inspiration from the windows of yachts. With the touches of Gerald Genta, who is considered among the best bracelet designers ever lived, this timepiece has virtually turned into a men’s accessory having also a feature of displaying the time. It is possible for you, too, to get this fascinating watch with a budget about $25,000.
As it is known, criminal organization leaders are generally stereotyped as immigrants or easterners. John Dillinger is of a kind breaking this stereotype. Dillinger is known as the notorious bank robber in America. Also known for his colorful personality as well as for the crimes he committed, the press has a large share in his image. The press of the time discovers Dillinger, who had carried out twelve bank robberies during the great crisis in America, as an impressive story and froths it up all out. Dillinger, who managed to escape from prison twice, is eventually shot dead by the FBI in Chicago. Hamilton Art Deco pocket watch, which he was wearing when he is shot, is delivered to his family without even cleaning the blood on it. Dillinger’s legendary watch is the model with 17 jewels and an open case at the back. The auction price of the piece, which was then about $150, has been determined as $41,825 today.
Last but not least; it would be better if we have a look at what was on the wrist of Amado Carrillo Fuentes and then get out of the dark corridors of the crime world without diving deeper. Fuentes is known for his nickname The Lord of the Skies. He owes this nickname to drug smuggling with a squadron mostly comprised of Boeing 727s. The veil of mystery on Fuentes’ death has not been lifted till now. It is known that Fuentes died due to complications during an aesthetic surgery to completely change his appearance. So then, did Fuentes really die on the operating table or was this death news part of an escape plan? I think we will never know this. The only thing we know is that Fuentes, with his $25billion fortune, was one of the richest drug smugglers in the world and owned a large watch collection during his lifetime. Fuentes’s collection includes rare pieces such as Piaget Emperador and Rolex Cellini, and the collection is considered priceless.
There is nothing left for us other than wishing these timepieces to appear on the legal wrists, in a world ruled not by the criminal organizations but by justice.
