Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Mar 10, 2011

LOT 120

Vacheron & Constantin Chronomètre Royal Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Chronomètre Royal?, No.344728, case No. 211261. Made circa 1915. Very fine and rare, large, keyless, 18K yellow gold pocketlever chronometer accompanied by original box and certificate.

USD 5,500 - 8,500

CHF 5,500 - 8,500 / EUR 4,000 - 6,200

Sold: USD 7,500

C. Four-body, "bassine", polished with guilloche case back featuring an enamel monogram DJD. 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: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The name ?Chronomètre Royal? was registered on May 28, 1907. The ?Royal Chronometer? name, for the English-speaking market, was registered on May 8, 1908. The first of these were a series of pocket watches delivered to Brazil. Mr. A. Campos, a Vacheron & Constantin agents, had organized a lottery system in which subscribers paid 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, more rarely in silver ones.