Geneva, May 12, 2024

LOT 346

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, SWITZERLAND, CHRONOMETRE ROYAL, ROMAN NUMERALS, 18K YELLOW GOLD

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

HKD 34,700 - 52,000 / USD 4,500 - 6,700 / EUR 4,100 - 6,200

Sold: CHF 10,000

A very fine and large, 18k gold, manual wind open-face, keyless-winding, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6. Case-back guilloché engine-turned.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-11

Good

Slightly worn
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Vacheron Constantin, Switzerland

Model CHRONOMETRE ROYAL

Year Circa 1910

Movement No. 354101

Case No. 218430

Diameter 57 mm.

Caliber 22’’’ gilded brass, with going barrel, gold screwed chaton (setting) on the central wheel, straight-line lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw

Signature Dial, case and movement

Notes

The name ‘’Chronomètre Royal’’ was registered on May 28, 1907. The ‘’Royal Chronometer’’ name, for the English-speaking market, was registered on May 8, 1908. The first of these were a series of pocket watches delivered to Brazil. Mr. A. Campos, a Vacheron & Constantin agents, had organized a lottery system in which subscribers paid 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 3022 watches between 22 October 1907 and 31 December 1911 - an amazing 80% of the production of the Chronomètre Royal, utilizing the caliber RA22’’’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, more rarely in silver ones.