Besides this, the modern crown is enlarged and uses a full-cut diamond while the vintage models more often used a small sapphire for adornment, similar to the style seen on Cartier watches today. Looking at the differences, foremost among them is the sizing of the modern variants, with the smaller being 36 mm and the larger 43 mm, whereas the vintage models were frequently sized between 30-mm and 35-mm. The final major similarity is the use of the black varnished baton hands, significant because while blue-colored hands were frequently used on vintage models, it was the versions with black hands, which matched the black alligator strap, that proved to be the more popular style. The contemporary version has also kept using the “split coin” method for the production of the watches, in which the coin is divided down its middle, with the front used for the dial and the back used for the caseback, with the movement locked between the sides. With the coin at its heart, the contemporary version keeps the simple elements of the original - the straight lugs, coined edges, simple movement, and baton hands, all accenting while avoiding interference with the centerpiece. Currently the 36-mm option can be found for around $15,600, while the larger 43-mm version can be found for $17,250, though prices will vary based on the dealer.Ĭomparing the modern and vintage versions of the Coin Watch, you’ll find the two are fairly similar in design and purpose. Both versions are powered by the automatic CO082 caliber, equipped with a 42-hour reserve and based on the Soprod A10.
Within the similarly coin-edged bezel is the signature 22k American Double Eagle gold coin dial of the watch, with the only major differences between the two size variations being an extra, textured minute ring on the larger option, and differing placements of the Corum logo.Ībove the polished coin at the center of the attention, the watch has two contrasting black baton hands for the hour and minute to indicate the time. Both pieces use a coin-edged yellow-gold case, with an 18k gold diamond-embedded crown, straight lugs, and a 22k gold-coin caseback.
Corum 20 coin watch series#
Today’s Coin Watch series includes diamond-studded dials, a black varnished dial option as well as a silver dial option, and most recently the Heritage Artisan “Hobo Coin” Watch, inspired by an early 20 th Century American coin-engraving artform known as hobo nickels, although we’ll direct our focus on the classic American Double Eagle dials, at the 43-mm and 36-mm sizing. presidents, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, and the Rolex Day-Date, whose popularity among American leaders has bestowed both the watch and its accompanying bracelet with the nickname “President.” This fact comes in comparison to possibly the most famous presidential watch, the Vulcain Cricket, which has been owned and worn by most U.S. Johnson’s commemorative 1960s Coin Watch, pictured below via Antiquorum). Reportedly, seven American presidents have owned the Coin Watch, though very little evidence exists of them ever actually wearing one (an exception: Jyndon B. The original was released in 1964, and from its onset has held an interesting place in watch history, often being used as a blank canvas to commemorate elections and other milestones in the lives of several world leaders - from the United States, Israel, Cuba, Peru, Monaco, France, Austria, Venezuela, and likely many others. Of all Corum’s models, none have remained as true to their classic historical form as much as today’s Heritage Coin Watch. The brand’s lesser known series, like the Admiral and Romulus, both have been in production since the 1960s, with plenty of vintage-styled traits still evident within the designs of each. In the modern era, the brand is possibly best known for its Bubble and Golden Bridge collections, the latter of which has been in production since 1980. Yet since the brand’s 1955 founding by René Bannwart it has long been producing fashion-forward pieces, many series of which are still in production today. Corum isn’t a brand frequently in conversation when discussing modern, historically inspired watches.