Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 07, 2005

LOT 176

Lot of 2 dress watches
a. Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 263812, case No. 152722. Made circa 1900. Fine, keyless, silver dress watch with vermicelli case.

USD 2,000 - 3,000

EUR 1,700 - 2,500

Sold: USD 2,530

C. Four-body, "bassine", solid, entirely ?vermicelli?-decorated, front with blank gold shield, hinged silver cuvette with inscribed technical details. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds dial. Pink gold "spade" hands. M. Cal. 18???, gilt brass, 15 jewels, straight line counterpoised lever escapement, cut bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 49 mm.

b. Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Demi-Chronomètre?, No. 279400, case No. 168912. Made circa 1900. Fine and rare, keyless, 18K pink gold pocket lever chronometer.

C. Four-body, "bassine", solid, polished, hinged gold cuvette with inscribed technical details. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds dial. Pink gold "spade" hands. M. Cal. 18???, gilt brass, 17 jewels, straight line counterpoised lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 48 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-12

Good

Worn
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-01

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

The name ?Demi-Chronomètre? was used by Vacheron Constantin to indicate that the movement was sent to the Observatory for chronometric control, but that for commercial reasons, it did not remain long enough to complete the entire course of testing. To our knowledge, only two Genevan firms employed the denomination ?Demi-Chronomètre?: Vacheron Constantin and Henry Capt.