Favre-Leuba Gold Coin Watch, ca. 1930
Watch
APPRAISER:
Don, where did you get this now?
GUEST:
It was given to me out of my uncle's estate, and many years ago, he bought that for my aunt as a gift.
APPRAISER:
It's great, and when people look at this, what you see right away is you see a Saint-Gaudens $20 gold piece with the eagle on it-- one of the most beautiful U.S. coins ever made. And on the front, you see Walking Liberty, and most people will leave it at that and say "gold coin." However, you know the little secret that it opens up, and inside is a little watch. Now, these watches were made by a few companies. This one is made by a company called Favre-Leuba. They're in Switzerland. They were one of the finest watchmakers for making wristwatches and watches like this. And what's interesting about these watches, you had to ruin two coins to make one piece because of the milling to make the door and the bottom plate. You have an idea what you think it may be worth?
GUEST:
Have no idea.
APPRAISER:
Never thought about it?
GUEST:
No.
APPRAISER:
Well, as a coin, it's worth maybe $400, $500, and remember, they ruined the coin. But as a watch, about $5,000.
GUEST:
Oh, my goodness!
APPRAISER:
Yeah, and I think that's a very fair market value.
GUEST:
Oh, my! Had no idea.
Appraisal Details
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