Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 181

VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, REF. 6694, WHITE GOLD ?ROYAL CHRONOMETER AUTOMATIC? DIAMOND MALTESE CROSS Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Royal Chronometer Automatic?, movement No. 582310, case No. 406882, Ref. 6694. Made circa 1968. Very fine and extremely rare, water-resistant, self-winding, center-seconds, 18K white gold chronometer wristwatch with diamond Maltese Cross, date and an 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin buckle.

CHF 8,000 - 12,000

USD 8,500 - 13,000 / EUR 6,500 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 11,250

C. Two-body, solid, polished, screwed-down case back, horn lugs. D. Brushed silver with applied white gold and black lapidated indexes, white gold-rimmed aperture for the date, applied black Maltese Cross below 12 set with a single diamond. White gold ?Dauphine? hands. M. Cal. 12??? K1072, rhodium-plated, stamped with the Seal of Geneva, oeil-de-perdrix and fausses côtes decoration, 18K gold edged rotor, 29 jewels,straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and fi ve positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial, case, and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness: 11 mm. Property of a Dutch collector


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The white gold cased Royal Chronometer is the rarest and most desirable of the Royal Chronometer wristwatches. The present watch is in exceptional condition with perfect dial. The contrast of the brushed silvered dial and the black indexes and Maltese Cross is particularly attractive. To date only three other examples in white gold have appeared at auction and only one other example with the diamond-set Maltese Cross is known to have been sold publicly. That watch was sold by Antiquorum, Hong Kong, April 23, 2006, lot 262.