Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 265

Vacheron & Constantin Chronometre Royal Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Chronomètre Royal?, No. 368504, case No. 228837. Sold in 1918. Very fine and rare, large, keyless, 18K yellow gold pocket lever chronometer.

CHF 2,500 - 4,000

USD 2,400 - 3,800 / EUR 1,800 - 2,800

Sold: CHF 5,280

C. Four-body, "bassine", polished with ?sunray? engineturned case back. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with bold upright Arabic numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds. Gold spade hands. M. Cal. 21??? 2 PRC, frosted gilt, 18 jewels, wolf?s tooth winding, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial, case, cuvette and movement signed. Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

(lot 265) The name ?Chronomètre Royal? was registered on May 28, 1907, under the number 22193. The ?Royal Chronometer? name, for the English-speaking market, was registered on May 8 1908, under the number 23872. The first of these were a series of pocket watches delivered to Brazil. A certain A. Campos, one of Vacheron & Constantin?s agents, had organized a lottery system in which subscribers would pay 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, and rarely in silver ones.