Mauboussin 18k Gold Hidden Pocket Watch in Double Eagle 20 Dollar Liberty Coin, 1950 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: WatchMuseum.org shop · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: WatchMuseum.org shop · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Mauboussin 18k Gold Hidden Pocket Watch in Double Eagle 20 Dollar Liberty Coin, 1950

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Unrecorded in source
Date: 1950
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Pocket watch
Materials / technique: gold
Dealer: WatchMuseum.org shop
Stock no.: Product 2833
Credit line: Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2833)
Catalogue title (original): Mauboussin 18k Gold Hidden Pocket Watch in Double Eagle 20 Dollar Liberty Coin (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 2833), this is a pocket watch, dated 1950. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

The Mauboussin 18k Gold Hidden Pocket Watch in Double Eagle 20 Dollar Liberty Coin – 1950 is a captivating blend of artistry and precision, encapsulated within a solid 18k yellow gold 1904 Liberty coin case. Crafted in France by the renowned Mauboussin in collaboration with Trabert & Hoeffer, this vintage piece is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and engineering. The French-made movement is meticulously designed to wind, set, and run with impeccable accuracy, making it not only a beautiful piece but also a functional timekeeper. Despite its age, the watch remains in excellent condition, showcasing only minor wear that adds to its historical charm. The ingenious design of the case, which is remarkably thin and opens seamlessly, conceals the hidden watch in a manner that is virtually undetectable. This exquisite timepiece is a rare and valuable find, highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike for its unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless elegance. With a diameter of 34.3 mm and a weight of 40.4 grams, this 1950s-era watch is more than just a timepiece; it is a work of art that promises to be cherished for generations. This stunning hidden pocket watch is a true masterpiece, featuring a solid 18k yellow gold 1904 Liberty coin case crafted in France by Mauboussin in collaboration with Trabert & Hoeffer. The exceptional quality French-made movement winds, sets, and runs smoothly, keeping accurate time. Despite being a vintage piece, it remains in excellent physical condition, with only minor wear to the case that is consistent with its age and light use. The case is incredibly thin, and the way it opens and closes is simply brilliant, making it virtually impossible to tell that there is a hidden watch concealed within the coin. This watch is a true work of art, with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in every aspect of its design. The case is a beautiful example of the artistry of the time, and the movement is a stunning work of engineering that is both beautiful and functional. The watch is truly a one-of-a-kind piece that is sure to impress anyone who sees it. It is a rare and valuable item that is sure to be coveted by collectors, watch enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of fine craftsmanship. Overall, this hidden pocket watch is a truly remarkable piece, and one that is sure to be treasured for generations to come. Creator: Mauboussin Case Material: 18k Gold,Yellow Gold Weight: 40.4 g Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Diameter: 34.3 mm (1.36 in) Place of Origin: France Period: 1950-1959 Date of Manufacture: 1950 Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

After 1945 the pocket watch became a niche product — presentation and railway watches, inexpensive pin-lever watches, and commemorative pieces — while most innovation moved to the wrist.

Read the period in the timeline More pocket watches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Pocket watches

The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.

Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.

What to look for

The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.

Dating clues

Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

No escapement or complication is named in the source record. See the encyclopedia for how such pieces work.

Record completeness

Maker or attributionNot in source
DateRecorded
Place or countryNot in source
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: WatchMuseum.org shop (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © WatchMuseum.org — the publisher's own shop photographs (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Mauboussin 18k Gold Hidden Pocket Watch in Double Eagle 20 Dollar Liberty Coin, 1950." WatchMuseum.org shop, Product 2833. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/mauboussin-18k-gold-hidden-pocket-watch-in-double-eagle-20-dollar-libe-f3136f.