One of the things that has fascinated me most since the beginning of my journey into the world of watchmaking is the constant discovery of something new. There is always something left to explore, whether it is an unusual complication, an obscure reference or a watch that has somehow escaped the attention of collectors for decades. More often than not, auctions are the perfect place for these discoveries, bringing forgotten, overlooked or exceptionally rare pieces back into the spotlight.
Over the years, I have had the chance to handle some pretty unusual watches myself, but while browsing the catalogue for Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo’s upcoming auction on October 23 (here the full catalougue), one particular lot caught my attention. Lot 66 is not your typical Patek Philippe pocket watch. In fact, at first glance, you might not even realise that you are looking at a watch at all.
Patek Philippe Ref. 808: A Five-Pound Coin with a Secret
The lot in question is a Patek Philippe reference 808, an unusual coin watch inspired by the British gold five-pound coin issued in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
Crafted from 22-carat yellow gold, the original coin celebrates the Queen’s 50th year on the throne, while the watchmaking elements are housed in 18-carat yellow gold. The result is a fascinating combination of Victorian history and Swiss watchmaking savoir-faire.
The coin itself is a remarkable piece of British numismatic history. Its obverse features the celebrated Jubilee Head portrait of Queen Victoria, designed by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, while the reverse showcases Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic depiction of Saint George slaying the dragon. The latter became one of the most recognisable designs in British coinage, symbolising the triumph of good over evil and remaining closely associated with the country’s gold sovereigns.
What makes this particular object so interesting, however, is the way Patek Philippe transformed a historical coin into a discreet timepiece without compromising its original appearance. At first glance, it looks like a gold five-pound coin from the late Victorian era, but a closer look reveals that there is much more going on beneath the surface.
A Hidden Dial and Traditional Watchmaking
The magic happens when you press a small button, seamlessly integrated into the coin’s design. The case opens to reveal a golden dial with elegant Breguet numerals, offering a striking contrast to the historical exterior. Inside, a manual-winding mechanical movement powers the watch, bringing a touch of traditional horology to an object that already has plenty of character.
The watch is also accompanied by its original Patek Philippe box and warranty, details that add further interest to an already unusual collector’s piece.
Coin watches occupy a rather special place in Patek Philippe’s history. They represent a different side of the manufacture, one that moves away from the more familiar complications and conventional case designs that collectors tend to associate with the brand. Instead, these creations demonstrate how watchmaking can be combined with objects of historical and artistic significance, turning something that was never originally intended to tell the time into a fully functional mechanical watch.
An Unusual Patek Philippe Worth Watching
Objects like this rarely come to market, and that is precisely what makes them so fascinating. They are different from what we are used to seeing, yet they possess the kind of character that can make a collector stop scrolling through an auction catalogue and take a closer look.
The reference 808 also feels quite distant from the design language most enthusiasts associate with Patek Philippe during this period. That contrast is part of its appeal: it offers a glimpse into a less familiar side of the manufacture, where creativity and craftsmanship meet in an unexpected format.
I would not be surprised if, over time, collectors began to pay greater attention to these unconventional Patek Philippe creations. The market for rare and historically significant watches has already shown how rewarding it can be to look beyond the usual suspects, and coin watches have all the ingredients to attract growing interest. Their rarity, distinctive design and unusual combination of horology and history make them particularly compelling, especially when opportunities to acquire them are so limited.
For now, the Patek Philippe reference 808 will be offered as Lot 66 at Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo on October 23, with an estimate of €15,000–30,000. Whether you collect Patek Philippe, historical timepieces or simply objects that sit outside the ordinary, this is certainly one to keep an eye on.
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