Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 15, 2016

LOT 165

VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, POCKET CHRONOMETER WITH ONE MINUTE TOURBILLON GOLD Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, movemeny by Lecoultre, No. 464256. Made in 1945. Extremely rare and very important 18K gold, keyless pocket Chronometer with one minute tourbillon regulator. Accompanied by the extract from the Geneva observatory.

CHF 50,000 - 70,000

HKD 400,000 - 570,000 / USD 52,000 - 73,000

Sold: CHF 81,250

Double-body, "bassine", polished, with concealed hinges, glazed gold cuvette. Silver with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. 22''', by Lecoultre, rhodium-plated, going barrel with over-winding protection click, 20 jewels, tourbillon regulator with three-arm equidistant carriage, lateral calibrated lever escapement, anibal-brass Guillaume balance with gold timing screws, Breguet balance spring, micrometric reguator with pin gap closing option .


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Signed on the dial, case and movement. DIAM. 65 mm. THICKNESS 19 mm. The present watch, adjusted by U. BRAHIER (as well as the TOURBILLON NO. 464262, Lot 166) was submitted to the GENEVA OBSERVATORY in 1968. It was one of a special group of watches, all with tourbillon regulators, and all adjusted under the direction of master adjuster E. OLIVIER AND BRAHIER, for the 1946 and 1947 Geneva Timing Contest. The results surpassed all expectations: the first three places in 1947 were taken by VACHERON CONSTANTIN, and the alltime record was broken,with 883.8 points. In particular, the record that Patek Philippe had held for 13 years, since 1934, was broken. Out of the 30 first places, Vacheron Constantin took half the prizes. All the watches were identical - extremely high-grade tourbillon regulators, made entirely in the factory, superbly adjusted by Olivier or Brahier, aided by the skill acquired through years of experience. Provenance: Crott & Schmelzer, October 1980.