CORUM ROMULUS

Maker: Corum
Model: United States Bicentennial $5 Gold Coin Mechanical
Year: 1990's
Serial: xxx
Material: 18k Gold
Dial: Gold $5 Coin from the United States Federal Reserve that is dated 1904. The coin is surrounded by approximately 224 factory-set Diamonds
Dimensions: 36mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Clasp: Gold plated Buckle Corum
Box & Papers: None

There are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that tell stories — long, golden, quietly powerful stories. The Corum United States Bicentennial $5 Gold Coin Mechanical is one such piece. Born from the marriage of horology and history, it is less a timepiece and more a relic, a whisper from the past wrapped around the wrist of the present.

In the mid-1990s, Corum — the Swiss brand known for daring elegance — released a strictly limited run of coin watches using actual $5 gold coins issued by the United States Federal Reserve, with just 75 examples crafted. This particular piece, serial number 24, carries a 1904 $5 Liberty Head coin at its heart — a moment in time captured beneath sapphire crystal, suspended forever in 18k gold.

At a glance, it feels like it shouldn't work — a watch embedded in a coin, a coin surrounded by 224 factory-set diamonds, glimmering like stars around a sun. But Corum never intended for this to be just a watch. This was a tribute. A miniature monument to a country, to craftsmanship, to quiet luxury. The case is just 36mm — modest by today's standards — but its presence is outsized, regal, and intentional.

The movement inside is mechanical, discreetly tucked behind a hidden hinge so seamless, so elegant, it takes a second glance to notice the watch at all. But that’s part of its magic — a secret only the wearer is truly in on.

Famously, this very model has graced the wrists of American power players and international icons alike. Ronald Reagan, never one to wear anything too loud, was said to favor a Corum Coin watch for its symbolism and subtlety. George H. W. Bush also wore a similar piece — a quiet nod to patriotism and taste. Even Andy Warhol, the maestro of pop culture and collector of curiosities, owned a Corum Coin Watch — a contradiction he found amusing: capitalism, minimalism, maximalism, and Americana all in one.

This example, however, stands apart. It has no box. No papers. But what it does carry is something rarer — provenance in emotion. The kind of piece passed from one generation to the next, not just because it’s valuable, but because it meant something.

It’s a reminder of a different pace of life — when time ticked slower, when watches had secrets, and when craftsmanship dared to be poetic.

This is not a watch for the masses. It never was.

This is for the collector who understands that a coin once carried in the pocket of a statesman can be reborn as a watch worn on the wrist of a dreamer.

The Gentleman in Repose — Saturday Brunch in the Garden District

Outfit: A cream linen camp-collar shirt worn open over a sand-hued silk tee, soft olive pleated trousers, and Belgian loafers in suede. Tortoiseshell sunglasses and a well-worn leather-bound notebook complete the look.

Occasion: A late-morning brunch at a friend’s brownstone, sunlight dappling through magnolia trees, the air warm with laughter and the smell of fresh espresso.

How the Watch Fits: This is where the Corum sings quietly. The warm tones of the gold case and dial blend seamlessly with the earth-toned palette, while the diamonds catch subtle glimpses of sun with each hand gesture over a cappuccino. The history of the coin—dated 1904—feels at home here, surrounded by architecture with a past, stories in the walls, and style that whispers rather than shouts. You’re not trying too hard. That’s the point.

The Boardroom Maverick — Midweek Strategy Session

Outfit: A charcoal grey double-breasted suit, peak lapels tailored to perfection, crisp white shirt with a subtle herringbone texture, and black wholecut oxfords. No tie. A single gold ring on the pinky.

Occasion: A decisive meeting where vision matters more than volume. You’re not just participating; you’re steering the ship.

How the Watch Fits: Amidst the sea of generic steel chronographs, the Corum makes its mark with quiet intensity. At 36mm, it doesn’t scream for attention—but those who know, know. The sapphire crystal catches just enough boardroom light, while the diamonds, discreetly sized, remind the room that confidence doesn’t require ostentation. There’s power in heritage, and wearing a watch fashioned from a gold coin once used as currency is the subtlest form of flex.

The After-Hours Collector — Evening at the Private Gallery Opening

Outfit: Midnight blue cashmere turtleneck, black velvet jacket, tailored black trousers with a satin stripe, and patent leather Chelsea boots. A silk pocket square in burgundy peeks out with a nonchalant fold.

Occasion: An intimate evening preview of contemporary works. Conversations swirl about light, texture, and the paradoxes of modernity, with champagne flutes in constant circulation.

How the Watch Fits: Here, the Corum transforms from heritage artifact to artistic statement. The dial—literally a piece of history—resonates against the cutting-edge surroundings. Its classical American motif, frozen in gold, becomes a counterpoint to the avant-garde. The diamonds glint like the spotlights on the canvases, and the gold buckle peeks from under the cuff with every raised glass or knowing gesture. In this crowd, the Corum is both an icebreaker and a time capsule.

Condition Report: Corum United States Bicentennial $5 Gold Coin Mechanical (1990s)
Serial 24 of 75

A rare tribute to American history, rendered in precious metal and diamonds, this Corum United States Bicentennial $5 Gold Coin watch is a compelling fusion of horology and numismatics. One of only 75 examples ever made, this piece stands as a miniature monument to the art of watchmaking and the symbolism of a nation's past.

Case
Crafted in solid 18k yellow gold, the 36mm case presents in gently worn condition, with light hairline marks consistent with careful, occasional wear—each a whisper of the decades it has quietly endured. The case retains excellent definition, with its fine coin-edged sides still crisp to the touch and visually sharp. The proportions feel both stately and discreet, a reminder that opulence doesn’t always demand volume.

Dial
The dial is undoubtedly the showstopper—an authentic $5 Liberty Head coin issued by the United States Federal Reserve and dated 1904. The intricate detail of Lady Liberty’s profile and the heraldic eagle on the reverse remain well-defined, protected over the years beneath a domed sapphire crystal. Encircling the coin are approximately 224 factory-set diamonds, forming a halo that elevates the piece from rare to radiant. These stones are well-matched and securely set, their brilliance unclouded by time.

Movement
Powering this horological artifact is a slender, manually wound mechanical movement—a technical feat given the slim dimensions imposed by the coin itself. The movement winds and sets smoothly, and remains in excellent running condition. As with many Corum coin watches, the case opens with a hinged mechanism, a feature still firm and precise, revealing the movement within like a secret.

Strap & Clasp
The watch is fitted with a lightly worn alligator leather strap that suits its vintage elegance. The gold-plated Corum buckle shows minor signs of wear on the plating, but remains structurally sound and functional. While not the original strap, it complements the overall aesthetic without distraction.

Box & Papers
This watch is offered without its original box and papers. However, with its striking rarity (serial 24 of 75), historic dial, and factory-set diamonds, it is a collector's piece that needs little else to tell its story.

Final Thoughts
This Corum Bicentennial Coin watch is not merely a timepiece—it is a historical statement, a wearable relic from the intersection of American legacy and Swiss precision. In a market often flooded with the ordinary, this is a piece that commands attention through quiet grandeur and restrained extravagance.

In terms of performance, the watch excels; it was tested for accuracy, demonstrating a seconds per day (s/d) deviation of 1, with an amplitude of 301—illustrative of its superb mechanical precision.

The price includes Swiss VAT of 8.1%, which can be directly deducted for export, and the shipping cost comes with full worldwide insurance. Please note that the customer will be responsible for paying any customs duties in their country.

If you desire a complete service, we can provide it at an additional cost, with a warranty of at least one year for precision and accuracy (not for waterproofness).