French gold coin of 1911 fitted with concealed watch Circa 1930

Gold lever coin watch
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A very fine and extremely rare French, George V five-pound gold coin of 1911 fitted with a concealed watch, circa 1930. Accompanied by the original Cartier red Morocco fitted box. St. George slaying the dragon on one side, the reverse with the profile of King George V, hinged cover with concealed catch, the interior with engraved presentation inscription, recessed telescopic winding crown, polished bezel with three screws on an engine-turned surround. Matte silver dial with radial black Roman numerals, outer minute track and blued steel Breguet hands. A rhodium-plated, Geneva striping decoration, 19 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with eight adjustments, flat blued steel balance spring, index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered.
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Diameter: 36 mm
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Signed: Cartier  Paris
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The 1911 gold five-pound coin was issued in a proof version only and was only available as part of the long gold proof set of 12 coins, the short set being only from sovereign downwards. The mintage figure was much lower than for Queen Victoria’s five-pound coins in 1889 and 1893 as well as Edward VII’s in 1902. This coin watch would have required the use of two 1911 five-pound coins in its manufacture making it particularly expensive to create. The original fitted Cartier box is a rare survival.