Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Mar 10, 2010

LOT 231

VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, DIAMOND-SET NAPOLEONIC THEMED POCKET WATCH Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 341423, case No. 208054. Made circa 1910. Very fine and exceptionally rare 18K gold open face pocket watch with solid relief portrait of Napoleon to the reverse set with diamonds, the case further set with a total 36 diamonds, the winding crown set with a significant diamond.

USD 6,000 - 8,000

EUR 4,500 - 5,800 / CHF 6,500 - 8,500

Sold: USD 6,600

C. Four body, hinged, satin finished, reeded band, the reverse with central relief portrait of Napoleon set with diamonds, two concentric outer wreath pattern rings each set with 12 diamonds, the bezel with matching wreath pattern set 12 diamonds, wreath design bow, the winding crown set with a single diamond plain gold cuvette. D. Silver with central guilloche pattern, Breguet numerals on a plain reserve with outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Gold spade hands. M. Cal 17"', rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic adjusted balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-31

Very good

Transformations
Movement: 3**

Good

Repair required, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-7-01

Good

Oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

According to the owner this watch originally belonged to New York financier and philanthropist James Brady, more commonly known as "Diamond Jim Brady". Purchased from the estate after his death in 1917 by Jim Brady?s childhood friend Jules Weiss, it was gifted to the current owner in 1928 and has remained, unused, in the family's possession ever since.
The Vacheron Archives state that the watch was manu-factured with a plain gold case.