Delicate and divine, coin watches were highly coveted among the upper crust of society at the turn of the 20th century. A studied art form, the technique to place an ultra-thin movement hinged between two halves of a coin was developed by the salesman-turned-watchmaker, Joseph Vergely, who made his name at Cartier for exhibiting a special talent in moulding watches into charming novelty forms. This complex watchmaking process requires rigorous skills beyond the expertise normally needed of a case maker. Names such as Cartier, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex are among the most prominent makers of coin watches.

Although Rolex is most recognised for its robust sports watches, its catalogue is incredibly varied, and even includes a small collection of coin watches that are very rare and hardly ever appear on the market. The present ref. 3612 is a dainty timepiece, encased in a yellow gold twenty US dollar coin from 1900. The present example truly encapsulates the essence of the Rolex Cellini line with no intricate detail left unattended. Featuring a seamless button that reveals its dial with a single touch, the walls concealed within the watch are manually decorated with perlage finishes. Devoted to Benvenuto Cellini, a master goldsmith of the 16th century, the Cellini collection very much takes after his dedication to methods of engraving, casting metal and perfecting even the most minute details.

Offered in excellent overall condition, this is a rare collectable that will be a fantastic addition for both watches and coins collcetors.