It is no secret that I love all types of watches. 

Desk watches, travel alarm clocks, frame watches – I even have a lipstick watch by Cartier made for women in the 1940s. But my favourite portable type of watch (that is not a wristwatch) has to be the money clip watch. It is the perfect gentlemen accessory in my view. Discreet, sophisticated and extremely rare to find.

So, with this in mind, I thought of doing another type of PAK watch – that of a money clip watch. And I seemed to have found two incredible examples, both of which I would love to own myself one day.

(Main picture credit: Antiquorum).

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The first is my absolute favourite.

It seems to be a fine ‘Art deco’ type money clip watch by Omega probably 1920s /1930s. Made out of gold, it consists of a three part body. I find the design incredibly masculine. According to Antiquorum the movement is based on a cal. 14 and the movement has 15 jewels with a Breguet balance spring. Most importantly, the movement and case, as well as dial, is ALL signed Omega.

This incredible pocket watch money clip sold for HKD 33’040 which was $4’500 back in 2007 by Antiquorum.

It is the most masculine and beautiful money clip watch I have ever seen – it is a design masterpiece. I reached out to Omega to find out more about this watch, and if it was indeed recorded in their archives, but received no reply as of yet. I assume the watch to be genuine but I have no proof of that – as I would need an Omega extract of archives to be sure.

However, since the movement is signed and case (and obviously the dial) I would have to assume and give the benefit of the doubt that this is genuine and born this way (who would forge an Omega money clip anyway). At worst someone has restored parts of this watch and at best we are looking at one of the most beautiful and original objects ever made from the 1920s.

I have seen many money clip watches but none more beautiful and masculine as this one. This is a true statement piece and if Omega is reading this – feel free to reach out to me and provide me with more information.

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The second money clip watch is by Cartier and made in 1919.

According to Cartier and the Cartier archives, this watch was sold in 1930 and we can thus confirm it is authentic. It is interesting to note that this watch sat unsold for 11 year, as it was made in 1919. The watch itself is made out of bakelite and gold. The movement, as it often the case with early Cartier watches, is made by Jaeger and also signed.

The dial also reminds us of the fabulous Art Deco movement with Arabic numerals, which I find give it a very elegant appearance. Furthermore the dial is signed France as the watch was also sold in France according to the archives. The movement inside is a duoplan, 15 jewels and signed Jaeger.

This watch sold for a strong CHF 12’500 against an estimate of 4-6’000 CHF back in 2008 at Christies.

Why are both items PAK watches?

Well to start with, beautiful signed money clip watches are extremely rare. Many of them are just not authentic. Especially Cartier is a brand that is often faked as their money clip watches were made in form similar to other non-signed money clip watches. For example, this form shown here is often not authentic, as this style was made by other brands and the forgers simply put the Cartier name on the dial.

Secondly, both these money clip watches shown here – exhibit a beauty beyond words. Both made by leading brands with a great design from the 1920s. The last reason why the money clip is the ultimate trophy for a watch collector and in many ways a necessary luxury item, has to do with symbolism. There is a famous saying after all. 

‘Time is money’.

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A similar money clip watch, as the Cartier above, can be seen below and is the property of Benjamin Clymer. Also a Cartier, and signed by Jaeger, made out of horn.

A rare money clip watch from Omega that belongs to the author of this report.