Only Online Auction
Hong Kong, Mar 09, 2022
LOT 265
Vacheron Constantin
Pocket watch; “Chronomètre Royal”; 18K yellow gold
HKD 17,000 - 25,500
EUR 1,950 - 2,900 / CHF 2,000 - 3,000 / USD 2,200 - 3,300TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: HKD 30,000
18K yellow gold, open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6.
Case-back guilloché (engine-turned).
Silver guilloché (engine-turned) dial, with radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Breguet” hands.
Movement 19’’’, gilded brass, going barrel, gold screwed-chaton (setting) on the central wheel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, polished steel index-regulator (micrometric screw lacking).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-11-17 |
Good Slightly worn Slightly spotted |
Movement: 3-29* |
Good Lacking elements Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Vacheron Constantin, Geneva
Model “Chronomètre Royal”
Year circa 1905-1910
Movement No. 345 882
Case No. 211 916
Material 18K yellow gold
Diameter 52.6 mm.
Caliber 19’’’, straight-line lever escapement
Weight 92.2 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Vacheron Constantin, “Chronomètre Royal” (Royal Chronometer)
The name “Chronomètre Royal” was registered in Switzerland on May 28, 1907, under the No. 22 193. The “Royal Chronometer” name, for the English-speaking market, was registered in Switzerland on May 8, 1908, under the No. 23 872.
The first of these were a series of pocket watches delivered to Brazil. A certain Mr. A. Campos, one of Vacheron Constantin’s agents, had organized a lottery system in which subscribers would pay a monthly fee to take part in a series of draws. The holders of the winning tickets would be given a watch and the other subscribers would be entered into the next draw. This system proved to be so successful that A. Campos delivered a total of 3 022 watches between October 22, 1907, and December 31, 1911 – an amazing 80 % of the production of the “Chronomètre Royal”, utilising the Cal. RA 22’’’ 73 made during this period.
The “Chronomètre Royal” was made in several sizes, from 12 to 22 lines, and was housed mostly in gold cases, and rarely in silver ones. As we can read in the Vacheron Constantin Archives, this series of watches was especially made for the South American Market, especially to Argentina.
Later, in the 1960’s, the trademark was used for some high-quality self-winding wristwatches.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.