68 Vacheron Constantin Original and Unusual, Twenty Dollar Liberty “Coin”, Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Integrated Bracelet, Reference 6510

Estimate: € 8,000 –⁠ 16,000

Model: Twenty Dollar Liberty
Reference: 6510
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1970s
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 1003
Case N°: 443882, N° 1898
Movement N°: 614903
Dimensions: 35 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

It was 1850 when Vacheron Constantin for the first time received an order to create a watch placed within a Russian coin. The brand achieved this quest by using two identical coins, hollowing them out and placing an extra slim movement inside. From that moment on Vacheron Constantin has mastered the art of creating coin watches in either pocket or wrist watch form, using a huge variety of coins from around the globe. The lot here offered is housed in an American $20 gold coin from 1898 featuring an image of the iconic Lady Liberty, extremely beloved by Americans, surrounded by stars and wearing a coronet inscribed with the word “Liberty”. The bottom is engraved with the initials J.B.L. standing for James Barton Longacre, an American engraver and designer of many American coins in the late 19th century and early 20th century. On the back of the coin is pictured the American eagle holding in its claws an olive branch and arrows. On the right side of the case is located a pusher hat opens the lid and reveals the watch: located on hinges is interesting to notice that can be lifted and even used as a table clock. Housed within is Vacheron Constantin’s ultra-slim caliber 1003, launched in 1955 for the brand’s 200th anniversary, which at 1.64 mm. remains today the world’s thinnest manual wind movement.