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The Manual Wind: 50th Anniversary Corum Coin Watch

coin50dWatches are a form of currency. They are traded worldwide like commodity with no ticker.  A classic design produced by custom jewelers and a number of watch brands makes the watch a literal commodity; the coin watch.  There are two main designs of the coin watch.  One version is a coin cut in half that open to reveal a movement and dial.  The design which I prefer makes the coin both the case and dial.  Corum is the brand that made the coin watch for the masses.  They have recently updated this modern classic for its’ 50th anniversary.

To commemorate the first Corum coin watch, this anniversary limited edition comes in two variations just like the original.  One variation is that of a silver 1$ coin measuring 43mm in diameter, minted in 2014.  Inside this detailed classic coin is a Corum automatic movement with a 42 hour power reserve.  A small diamond caps off the crown.  The second variation makes a timepiece of a 50$ gold coin.  This coin is 36mm and 18kt yellow gold,  also minted in 2014.  Inside lies the same 42 hour power reserve movement.  To be sure you know what brand you are wearing, the Courm name is lasered onto the crystal to preserve the coin.  Black baton hands make for a good contrast and match the black crocodile strap the pieces are strapped to.

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The Courm coin watch is 50 years oldcoin50b but this design will never fade.  Combining the love of coins and watches was a genius idea back then, and it is still as classic today.  Limited to only 100 pieces of each, this is surely a timeless collectors piece.  It takes a precision watchmaker to take a coin and make it a functioning timepiece and Corum has proven it is certainly capable.

Ian Schwam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in… Read Full Bio
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