For Corum, Aleksey Saburov, a Russian engraver now living
in New York, diverts popular imagery to create watchmaking
works of art from authentic American 5-cent pieces in nickel
dating from the early twentieth century, known as “hobo coins”.
SPECIFICATIONS
REFERENCE
C082/03599 - 082.646.01/0251 HO01
MOVEMENT
Automatic CO 082, power reserve 42 hours
BRACELET/STRAP
Blue jeans
BUCKLE
Stainless steel, engraved CORUM logo
These impoverished vagrants used to hand-engrave these
modest coins in the hope of selling them at a price higher
than their face value. The theme of death – hence the skull,
surrounded here by snakes – was a natural choice, given their
extremely vulnerable living conditions.
Today, “hobo coins” have become a luxury. But death is still the
same.