Antiquorum Auctioneers since 1974

Geneva, May 10, 2026

LOT 386

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, SWITZERLAND, DECK CHRONOMETER GUILLAUME BALANCE MADE FOR THE BRITISH HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE, SILVER

CHF 2,500 - 4,500

HKD 24,800 - 44,700 / USD 3,200 - 5,700 / EUR 2,800 - 4,900 / JPY 510,000 - 910,000

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 2,250

A fine, large and rare, silver, manual wind open face, keyless deck and pocket lever Chronometer navigation watch with indirect center seconds and Guillaume balance. Brushed silver dial with champleve Arabic numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions and Arabic five minute/second numerals. Blued steel spade hands.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-6

Good

Slightly oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Brand Vacheron Constantin, Switzerland

Year Circa 1945

Movement No. 454940

Case No. 286353

Caliber Cal. 166, gilt brass, "fausses côtes" decoration, 21 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, anibal-brass Guillaume balance with gold timing screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometric regulator.

Diameter 60 mm.

Signature Dial, case and movement

Notes

back of the case engraved H.S.- 2 54940

An excellent example of a Vacheron Constantin deck chronometer made for the British Hydrographic Service, excellently finished and in very good condition. The worldwide pre-eminence of the Royal Navy in the 19th century meant that Admiralty charts became the global standard for all ships, whether warships or merchantmen. The Hydrographic Service was the surveying arm of the Royal Navy. In the early 19th century, Navy Hydrographer Thomas Hurd persuaded the Admiralty that surveys at sea would best be carried out by Royal Navy ships. For surveying purposes, the Service needed top quality timekeepers, such as the present lot.