Cartier $20 Double Eagle Coin Watch Unpolished

Coin watches are remarkable creations which are both extremely uncommon and very difficult to create. Made from two coins, they are an interesting blend of horology, numismatics, and history. More often than not, these coins would begin as legal tender, then would require a skilled coin maker to dissect two sides, carve an interior within each to house the timepiece, and finally reconstruct the two sides in a hinged fashion.

Cartier was among the first watchmakers involved in creating these timepieces. This example is an exceptional 1898 $20 Double Eagle $20 coin.

These are the ultimate horological accessories and, in our view, way cooler than any Cartier timepiece that you could purchase today. With the prices being purchased on brand new Cartier Crashes, a very nice Cartier coin watch should be +$50,000! The watch is engraved beautifully with initials - perhaps from an individual that gave the watch to their friend. The interior is also engraved with 'vouloir c'est pouvoir' - “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.

We believe the watch dates to circa 1927 - and could likely be older than Henry Graves Jr.’s Patek Philippe coin watch. It is very similar to the Babe Ruth coin Eric sold at Christie’s in 1926 that was “given” to New York gangster "Bumpy” Johnson.

We do not know the service history, but it is running great. It does not come with box or papers. It does come with a blue box that is likely not original to the watch and two small pouches that these coin watches were often sold with.

To learn more about vintage coin watches read Charlie Dunne’s authoritative article 'An introduction to coin watches: Where craftsmanship meets currency'! Charlie Dunne is really awesome!

PRICE: $29,000 (Item SBUXYT4008)