The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 30

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 391683,case No. 6876 by Verger France, Paris, retailed by Maquet, Paris, circa 1921.Very fine 18K gold and enamel, square, keyless dress watch with matching gold coral and onyx chain, in original fitted box.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

C. Three piece square with shaped corners, black enamel band and bow, red enamelled bezel and back, gold stylised Chinese tree on the back centred over a black ground, the band with black champlevé decoration in a Chinese pattern, coral-set winding crown. D. Gold satiné with "Chinese" Arabic numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 16''', rhodium plated, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, eight adjustments, flat balance spring.Signed on the dial and movement, case with Verger Master mark. Box signed by Maquet.Dim. 43 x 43 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3 - 6 - 21
Movement: * 4 - 5
Dial: 4 - 5 - 01

Notes

Verger, ParisTwo generations of designers and case makers founded by Ferdinand Verger in 1872, Place des Victoires, Paris. Ferdinand Verger had two sons, Georges and Henri. In 1896 the trademark F.V. was registered. Ferdinand Verger bought from Roux, the firm of Lepine, Place des Victoires, in 1901, and in 1914 he liquidated the remaining stock to Louis Leroy but kept the trademark which was registrated again by him in 1917.Successors of their father in 1911, Georges and Henri settled at 51, rue Sainte Anne under the name of Verger France. The Mastermark became V.F..They were the agent in Paris for Vacheron & Constantin. Not only wholesalers but also designers and case makers. They produced cases for the finest jewellers of the world, including Boucheron, Mauboussin, Ostertag, Tiffany, La Cloche, Van Cleef & Arpels, Gübelin and even Hauser-Zivy y Cia., in Mexico.They employed up to 40 craftsmen in Paris, not only jewellers, to produce cases and to fit the movements, but also watchmakers for adjusting and after sale service of the movements.Some of their models are very original, such as the so-called Bras en l'air, made with a figure of Buddah, of a serpent charmer or of a Mandarin, the famous radiateur, often sold as a purse clasp, the montres à volet, produced for Ostertag, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Gübelin and Tiffany, and the celebrated Montre Cadenas, specially designed for Van Cleef & Arpels.The revival of the fashion for dials and cases with painted miniatures on ivory panels was one of their great success stories.They also were the creators of magnificent clocks with the dial in pietra dura and of the outstanding mystery clocks, pride of Vacheron & Constantin, made in the 1920's and 30's.Information kindly provided by M. Jean-Pierre Brun, Jeweller, in Paris.