The most complicated watch ever made by Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 415810, case No. 258597, manufactured between 1930 and 1935, purchased by His Excellency Boulent Raoul and presented to His Majesty King Farouk of Egypt. Unique extra large, 18 ct. gold, keyless minute repeating "Grande and Petite sonnerie" moon phase astronomical clock-watch with perpetual calendar, split seconds chronograph with 30 minute instantaneous recorder and alarm, with power reserve indicators for both the going and the striking trains, in original mahogany fitted box. | The Art Of Vacheron Constantin | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 13th November 1994

The Art Of Vacheron Constantin

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1994

LOT 111

The most complicated watch ever made by Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 415810, case No. 258597, manufactured between 1930 and 1935, purchased by His Excellency Boulent Raoul and presented to His Majesty King Farouk of Egypt. Unique extra large, 18 ct. gold, keyless minute repeating "Grande and Petite sonnerie" moon phase astronomical clock-watch with perpetual calendar, split seconds chronograph with 30 minute instantaneous recorder and alarm, with power reserve indicators for both the going and the striking trains, in original mahogany fitted box.

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Sold: CHF 1,158,500

C. Four body, massive, "pomme et grande gouge", polished. Gold cuvette. D. Gold, frosted and gilt with Breguet numerals, outer chronograph ring, subsidiary dials for days of the week with inner 30 hour striking train upand-down scale, minute register with sunk inner leap-year cycle, the months with inner 30 hour going train up-and-down scale, the dates with inner moon phase aperture and running seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 23"', rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, three trains with differential winding, the alarm train wound by means of a slide in the band, 55 jewels, straight line lever escapement, brass-invar Guillaume balance, Breguet balance spring with special micrometric index, Swiss patent No. 101562. Striking and repeating on gongs, the repeating detent in the band, "Grande/Petite sonnerie" and Strike/Silent" nibs in the band. Split seconds chronograph with visible work, button on the winding crown and push piece in the band. Signed on the dial, case and movement. In perfect condition. Diam. 80 mm.

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Previously in the collection of His Majesty King Farouk of Egypt, this watch was sold in March 1954 in the Cairo Sale of The Palace Collection, lot No. 450. This unique watch is illustrated in l'Univers de Vacheron Constantin, Genève, p. 400. It is also illustrated, nu ch enlarged, in the saine book p. 274 and its movement p. 275-279. If you have had the diligence to read the "Saga of Vacheron Constantin" which is an unusual introduction for an auction catalogue, you will understand why it was essential for us to tell you about the creative spirit of Vacheron's founders. These men, besides being ingenious mechanics, clever businessmen and refined vendors, had artistic minds and eclectic culture. In order to conceive and manufacture such a technological work of art as this watch, it is not sufficient simply to have good watchmakers, casemakers or vendors. But what is necessary, above all, is to possess the spirit and the tradition of "savoir-faire". As J. Constantin said, "Do better if possible, which is always possible". This royal watch, made especially for King Farouk of Egypt, is composed of 820 parts, including 55 jewels. It required five years to complete this masterpiece using the most skilled and capable wachmakers within the company. Farouk or Faruq Cairo 1920, Rome 1965 . King of Egypt from 1937 to 1952. Son of and successor to Fù'ad I, Farouk abdicated in 1952 after the coup of Neguib and Nasser. Under his reign, the Muslim nationalist movement gained strength.