Rare Gold Coin And Pocket Watch - Keep Together?

I don't get the connection between the watch and the coin. Without some meaningful connection between them I don't think anyone will appreciate their value as a lot. Just my Two Cents.

True enough. The people who will most connect with the provenance will be people who connect with the story. That would most likely be Spanish speaking or of Spanish heritage. The connection between the watch and the coin is the same as if Charlie Chaplin's Hat and Cane were offered at auction. They have value together or separately. But for many each piece maintains greater value in respect to provenance if kept together.

On the other hand, the story is provocative. In his day Juan Aparicio was a Captain of Industry in Guatemala in the same manner as John D. Rockefeller was in the United States. He was an important figure in commerce having vast holdings and great wealth. One of his positions was as Director of the Bank of the West, a Blue-blood (his family lineage traced from the Conquistadors), he had political influence and yet in spite of his position and wealth a man for the people. He was jailed by the newly elected President when the candidate whose campaign he financed lost. His wife went to plead his case. The president promised to release him, but the Minister of Interior intercepted the message of amnesty and Juan Aparicio was shot. The reason, years earlier a servant who worked for the Aparicio family was accused of stealing flatware and jailed. When the son of this servant became Minister of Interior, he saw his opportunity for revenge. There is obviously more to the story and many more dynamics involved, but this at least touches on enough of his history to offer a glimps. But imagine his wealth. The family used 18kt gold flatware as well as sterling, and the watch is ostentatious enough, but to use a rare coin (it was rare even in his day), and use it as a watch fob.

At any rate, I've been trying to accrue insight from both watch and coin forums alike. I think I've finally figured out what I will do. The market will ultimately rise to make the call. Anyone purchasing the set might well break it up. But if offered individually at the "same auction," each apprising bidders of the connection between them, anyone purchasing one would want the other in order to preserve provenance and add value to the other. If that call is not made, then whoever would have purchased the set would have most probably broken it up anyway. So in my mind, I can still accrue the maximum potential remuneration while making available the option to anyone interested in preserving provenance. I see it as a brilliant idea offered by Peter T. Davis. Thank you Peter. This option at least offers me some alleviation of conscience.

Absolutely sage advice sel_691. Thank you. Proving provenance will be my next project. It shouldn't be too difficult considering it has both his name and initials on it, it was made during his lifetime, it was given to my grandfather who was an avid collector of watches and coins, and an attorney for the Aparicio family beginning around the 1930's. When he passed away among his collection he left the watch, coin, and two books written by Edgar Juan Aparicio y Aparicio (grandson). The books are written about the lineage of notable Spanish families (among them the Aparicios), traced from the time of the Conquistadors. The titles are:
1. Conquistadores de Guatemala y Fundadores de Familias Guatemaltecas
2. Los Gutierrez Marroquin y Sus Descendientes

Each book also includes a handwritten note to my grandfather signed by the author in recognition of their friendship.