Refurbished Vintage Coach Saddle Colored Leather NYC Watermelon Satchel

The Watermelon Satchel is really a fantastic Cashin era piece, complete with the original, individual serial number and made in the original Coach factory in New York. This Satchel was a labor of love to restore, but was well worth it!  An iconic handbag, it was originally released in the 1970s when the front kisslock coin purse frame was left as metal and was called the Watermelon Tote. In the 1980s it was tweaked by covering the frame in leather and reborn as the Watermelon Satchel. Perfect for use on a daily basis; it easily holds an iPad plus all your day-to-day necessities.
 
~MEASUREMENTS:
13"L x 10"H x 3"D
4" Handle drop
 
~FEATURES:
Glove tanned full-grain Saddle colored leather
Brass hardware
Top handles
Brass Talon industrial top zipper with lozenge shaped leather zipper pull
Outside kiss lock leather lined coin purse
Inside slip pocket
Single sided hangtag with Ball Chain stamped clasp on brass chain
Individual serial number #164-2033 with stamping under glue-in serial number
Made in New York City
 
~CONDITION:
Very good overall vintage condition (taking in to account it is about 40 years old). There are no worn corners, popped stitches or dark stains. This Satchel came to us in pretty poor condition to the eye; it was COVERED in stains that looked like liquid spills and was SO dry. There was a beautiful vintage sheen patina that we really wanted to try to preserve because that is a badge of honor that only comes with time in leather like this.  You can follow the slow and meticulous refurbishing process on Instagram; it was a multi, multi step journey that had pretty good results.  The stains are still there but are quite faint; the one in the kisslock coin purse was kept as a reminder of how far she's come. The leather trim on the coin purse has been repaired, as it came to the Villa cut away and separated from the frame. After cleaning (and cleaning, and cleaning) the leather, it was conditioned between each cleaning so moisture was slowly restored to the leather. The brass has been polished, and now this glorious piece of Coach history is ready to head off on her next adventure!