The Start of a Merry-Go-Round that takes Everyone with it; the Killer of All Debts, Public (!) & Private: The 1st Coin (top / left) Minted in the Ancient Kingdom Lydia from Electrum (natural alloy of Gold & Silver) approx 2'700y ago (<650BC). The 1st Coin (bottom / right) minted from Gold by the Lydian King Kroisos approx 550BC.

Not just gold; and not just a sign. Instead, the combination of a rare metal and the unique (ie. monopolistic) artistic further processing & minting (ie. signature) on the one side plus the Kings claims on the other side make it a desirable must-have (German: begehrenswert not wünschenswert) that everyone is reaching for; sound money with value.

This innovation entered the world-stage more than 2'500y ago and never really left it again.

And now, what is the parallel to watches here?