Corum Reimagines Iconic Coin Watch For America’s 250th Anniversary

Corum Heritage Collector Coin watches recall its iconic coin watch introduced first in 1964.

Corum

One of watchmaking's most recognizable creations is making a return. To mark America's 250th anniversary, Swiss watch brand Corum is reviving its legendary Coin watch – a timepiece that quickly became an icon in 1964 when the brand sliced the 22-karat gold Double Eagle $20 coin in half and made it into a watch. Now, the brand introduces an incredibly limited edition of Heritage Collector Coin watches to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

At the time Corum made the Coin watch, the Double Eagle had been used in America for more than 80 years. Corum, which was relatively young at the time, having been founded in 1955, was looking to continue its creative verve. The brand has already released an alarm watch with a distinctive extended chime, a pyramid-shaped watch fashioned after the hat worn in China and the square-shaped Admiral’s Cup watch, which later became known only as the Admiral. Branching out to the American currency was revolutionary at its time.

The brand literally cut the coin in half along its edge in order to make one side, the Eagle with the coat of arms, the dial and the other side, Liberty, the case back. Between them, an ultra-thin mechanical watch movement, surrounded by a solid 18-karat gold ring with knurled edges emulating the coin, gave the watch life. Each watch was meticulously assembled and finished by hand.

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The concept for its time was remarkable and the watch fast became one of the most sought-after luxury timepieces by collectors. Over the years, a host of US presidents, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Ronal Reagan donned the watch, inadvertently giving it the nickname “The President’s Watch.”

Now, the new Heritage Coin collection takes the original coin watch to all new heights – but exclusive ones. There is one design each for all of the 50 states, and just five of each will be made. The dial side of each watch pays homage to the American eagle and features the words “250 Years of Independence” engraved on it.

But the individualization comes with the reverse side, where the brand has designed a special motif – a landscape or regional symbol or a moment in time -- for each state. While not made of an actual gold coin, each watch is made in a 39mm 18-karat gold case with coin edges.

The watches are powered by Corum’s automatic C0082 movement (that offers 42 hours of power reserve) and offer hours and minutes indications only. The hands are baton shaped like the original Coin watch. The timepieces are water resistant to 30 meters and are finished with a textured rubber strap with leather look. They retail for $58,000.

The introduction of the Heritage Collection coin-inspired watches represents just one of many new projects the brand is embarking on since it was bought last year through a management-led buyout by a group of Swiss investors and its former International Sales Director, Haso Mehmedovic.

According to a statement issued in a Corum press release, Mehmedovic, now Corum Chairman and CEO, said, ““The Coin is far more than a Corum watch — it is a reflection of over sixty years of history and a bond woven with America. We wanted to create something unique, where each piece tells a different story.”