Kim Kardashian West spends $500k on Jackie Kennedy's Cartier watch

Kim Kardashian West forked out big bucks for this piece of history. Photo / Getty

A gold Cartier watch once owned by first lady Jackie Kennedy has been bought by Kim Kardashian West.

The first lady's classic watch was auctioned off at Christie's in New York on Wednesday, and was expected to be purchased for $159,000. However, Kardashian West took the timepiece home for $502,000, according to TMZ.

Sources said that Kardashian West plans to wear the watch, which matches her new simplified style, reports news.com.au

Jackie Kennedy wearing the watch the Kim K purchased. Photo / Getty

The understated, classic piece doesn't feature any diamonds and fits in with the less flashy lifestyle the 36-year-old has been living since her harrowing experience in Paris.

"It's not to say that I'll never wear jewellery again or anything like that. I truly don't know if I'd ever feel comfortable. My whole life has changed in terms of how I travel and what security," Kardashian West recently said in an interview on Ellen.

According to the engraving on the back, the watch was gifted to Kennedy by her brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw Radziwill on February 23, 1963 - to commemorate a 80km hike he took part in on behalf of President John F. Kennedy, just months before the president's assassination.