Sometimes, a watch is more than just a watch. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, luxury Swiss watchmaker LeCoultre (est. 1833) — long known for their watchmaking mastery of complicated chronographs, repeaters and other unusual watches — manufactured a watch for gamblers; it was called the Roulette Casino Royal.
This remarkable watch features a composite five-piece 14K gold case, with outer bezel that freely spins and functions as a roulette wheel. This is a large (42-millimeter, or about 1.65 inches) men’s pocket watch.
A Gamblers Roulette Pocket Watch
An enterprising gentleman could settle bets or make extra cash by having a roulette watch in his pocket. The numbers on the outside are hard-fired red and black enamel. The Swiss-made movement is high grade, caliber 480, with 17 jewels. Because the watch was in rough condition and only 14K gold, we valued it at $1,000-$1,500. Had it been in mint condition in 14K gold, it would have brought between $2,500-$3,000; and if it had been in mint condition and 18K gold, it would have brought close to $5,000.
$1,500 / 1940s ROULETTE CASINO ROYAL POCKET WATCH
While most gambling collectibles fetch high dollars, we are always looking for roulette watches, ivory poker chips, slot machines and antique gaming tables.
This is an archival article formerly written and is for informational purposes only. The valuations in this article have likely changed since it was first written.