Importantes Montres de Collection
Geneva, May 15, 2011
LOT 579
Vacheron & Constantin ? A Unique Art Deco Masterwork ? 30-Day Duration Clock with Constant Force Escapement Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve, Suisse, ?30 Days, Force Constant?, No. 418068. Made in 1933. Exceptional and unique, Art Deco, rock crystal and chrome, 30-day going, two-train, skeletonized clock with Philippe René Jaccard?s Swiss patent No. 142508 constant force escapement of 1930. Accompanied by photographs of Jaccard?s designs for the escapement.
CHF 70,000 - 120,000
USD 77,000 - 130,000 / EUR 53,000 - 90,000
Sold: CHF 242,500
C. Multi-piece, transparent, faceted rock crystal within a chrome framework, black lacquered base with chromed feet. D. Skeletonized, brushed steel with radial Arabic numerals. Matte baton hands. M. Matte and polished silvered skeletonized plates in four graduated tiers, 18 pillars with polished steel screws, twin brass going barrels, wheels with five crossings, 27 jewels, Philippe René Jaccard?s constant force lever escapement with spring remontoire, large diameter cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature adjustment screws, adjusted to temperature, blued steel balance spring with double overcoil, index regulator. Movement signed. Dim. 19 x 18 x 6 cm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Literature: The original 1933 photograph of this clock is illustrated in "The World of Vacheron Constantin", Geneva, Lambelet & Coen, 1992, p. 399.
This unique clock is not only a very beautiful and great example of the Art Deco style, it is in addition a highly visual masterwork of haute horology. A long duration of running of 30 days in a single winding is very unusual in a clock of this size, or indeed in any clock. To provide the power, two mainspring barrels are used. One of the difficulties encountered in long duration clocks is that the timekeeping is affected during the course of unwinding. In this clock this effect is counteracted by the use of the constant force escapement. The constant force escapement is designed to give exact measured impulses to the balance, and thus to avoid changes in rate caused by variations in the energy provided by the mainspring through the course of unwinding. This is achieved by the constant "reloading" of a small spring or remontoire behind an additional wheel in the escapement giving consistent impulse to the escape wheel. The constant force escapement is very rare, and this clock, unique in the output of Vacheron & Constantin, is also almost certainly unique in the Art Deco period as well, for its use of the constant force escapement