American coin watch fold out movement manual winding Circa 1955

Sovereign coin pocket watch
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A rare coin watch in 18 Carat gold, branded Sovereign and made by Benrus in New York, United States of America, circa 1955. This exquisite full hunter cased watch boasts a coin shaped case with a push button for the spring lid integrated into the coin edge. The gold plated dial is signed by Benrus, adding to the exclusivity of the timepiece. One of the unique features of this rare coin watch is the fold out movement with manual winding. This allows for easy access and servicing of the movement by simply folding it out of the case. This feature is highly sought after by collectors and watchmakers alike. The Sovereign brand is highly regarded among watch enthusiasts and collectors, and this rare coin watch is a testament to the brand’s legacy. The fact that it was made by Benrus, a renowned watchmaker from New York, only adds to its appeal.
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Diameter: 35.5 mm
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Weight: 41 g
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Signed: Benrus
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Benrus was an American watchmaker that was founded in 1921 by Benjamin Lazrus and his brothers, Ralph and Oscar. The name “Benrus” is derived from a combination of Benjamin’s first and last names. The company started as a small watch repair shop in New York City and gradually grew into a prominent watch manufacturing company. During World War II, Benrus became well-known for producing military watches for the U.S. Armed Forces. These watches were highly regarded for their accuracy, durability, and functionality. Benrus also produced timepieces for aviators, including the Sky Chief and the Citation models. In the post war era, Benrus continued to expand its product line and gained popularity among consumers. The brand became known for its innovative designs and high quality craftsmanship. Benrus watches were often characterized by their distinctive dials, which featured unique designs and colour combinations.
Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, Benrus enjoyed great success and became one of the leading watch brands in the United States. Benrus coined and trademarked the name Dial-O-Rama in 1956 and started production of this incredibly fun jump hour design. While the movement was not made by the brand, everything else about the watch exuded the forward and style conscious thinking Benrus exemplified. While there were around 5 or 6 different dials, the first and most sought after was the Chevron dial, which came to exemplify the model line. While the movement was derived from a jump hour design from the 30’s Benrus was one of the first to revive the format in the late 50’s through the 60’s in what is called a digital “actual number readout” format. Unlike competitors, Benrus housed the movement in its dust and waterproof housing making it not only fashionable but also more durable. It remains a collector favourite for its quirky style.
The company sponsored various sports events and teams, including the New York Yankees baseball team. However, like many other American watchmakers, Benrus faced challenges in the 1970’s due to the rise of quartz watches from Japan. The company struggled to adapt to the changing market and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1977. Since then, the Benrus brand has changed hands multiple times. It has been revived by different companies, but it has not regained its former prominence in the watch industry. Despite this, vintage Benrus watches from the mid 20^th century are still highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.