Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 28, 2019

LOT 447

VACHERON CONSTANTIN POCKET WATCH WITH DEAD INDEPENDENT SECONDS; 18K PINK GOLD

HKD 100,000 - 125,000

CHF 12,850 - 15,800 / USD 13,000 - 16,000

18K pink gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with two horological complications: - Dead independent seconds (exterior graduation with central hand; activated by the olive-shaped push-piece located on the case-band, at 12 o'clock) - Two barrels with differential gears and bidirectional-winding inspired by Sylvain Mairet's (1805-1890) works (1850 / 1855)


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Brand Vacheron Constantin

Year finished in 1930

Movement No. 369 153

Calibre  19''', base on Victorin Piguet (Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux) ebauche (No. 12 323) from 1913, nickel plated, with two going barrels, straight-line equilibrated lever escapement, compensated balance and Palladium hairspring with terminal curve

Case No.  228 176 and 12 323

Material 18K pink gold

Caliber 19''', base on Victorin Piguet (Le Sentier, Vallée de Joux) ebauche (No. 12 323) from 1913, nickel plated, with two going barrels, straight-line equilibrated lever escapement, compensated balance and Palladium hairspring with terminal curve

Dimensions Ø 52 mm.

Signature case and movement

Accessories Extract from the Archives

Notes

The Extract from the Archives, dated March 15 2019, mentioned that this watch was manufactured in 1930. Piguet, Victorin-Emile (1850-1937) A legendary maker of complicated ebauches. His ebauches were used by Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, etc., for their special projects, including ultra-complicated watches. Victorin Piguet is the son of Henri-Daniel Piguet (1817-1892), watchmaker, and his second spouse, Louise-Françoise LeCoultre. He works with his brothers, William Piguet (1846-?), Henri-Julien Piguet (1852-1936), Alfred-William Piguet (1859-1917), starting a workshop in Geneva in 1880, under the name “V. Piguet et Frères”. Three years later, he returned to his native Vallée de Joux. It’s extremely rare to find pieces signed by him. His workshop, “Victorin Piguet & Cie”, is continued by his sons (including Jean-Victorin Piguet) who work closely with Patek Philippe; house that will buy the workshop in the 1980’s.