Only Online Auction

Hong Kong, Mar 09, 2022

LOT 267

Vacheron Constantin
Large pocket chronometer, so-called “Deck-Watch”; silver

HKD 22,200 - 39,900

EUR 2,500 - 4,500 / CHF 2,700 - 4,700 / USD 2,900 - 5,200

Silver (0.925), open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, large pocket chronometer, so-called “Deck-Watch”, silver dial with large suspended Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds at 6.

Movement 21’’’, lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws, index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Vacheron Constantin, Geneva

Model “Deck-Watch”

Year circa 1942-1943

Movement No. 444 775

Case No. 279 608 (by “FFBA”, Fédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent, S. Graber, Renan)

Material silver (0.925)

Diameter 60.3 mm.

Caliber 21’’’, cut bimetallic compensated balance, index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories dial, case and movement

Notes

“Deck-Watch”

A “deck-watch” is a precision watch used on the deck of boats for navigational purposes (point reading) to avoid disturbing the proper functioning of the marine chronometer, which remains in a specific area of the ship (chronometer room or captain’s cabin).

For more information on this type of time-keeper, now a collector’s item, see Norbert Eder’s reference book.

Bibliography
· Eder, Norbert, Beobachtungsuhren, Deck Watches und Chronomètres de bord, Munich, Callwey Verlag, 1987 (216 pp.; similar watch on the cover).
· The Art of Vacheron Constantin, An Important Collection of 286 Watches, Clocks and Wristwatches, Geneva, Antiquorum Editions, pp. 200-201.

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Guillaume Balance

The Guillaume balance is a compensated bimetallic balance, made of anibal (an alloy of steel and nickel) and brass, after the works of Dr Charles-Edouard Guillaume (1861-1938), with which the middle-temperature error is practically eliminated.

The middle-temperature error (or Dent’s anomaly), is the difference between the rate of a chronometer at the mean temperature and the average of the rates at extreme temperatures.

This type of balance was used by the horological manufactories since 1904.

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.