The Art of Horology in Geneva

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999

LOT 32

Vacheron & Constantin à Genève, No. 408711,case No. 254274, circa 1928.Fine and almost certainly unique 18K gold, keyless watch striking one blow every 15 seconds.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 24,150

C. Three body, massive, demi-bassine, polished. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with bold Breguet numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 18''', rhodium plated,24 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, eight adjustments, Breguet balance spring with swan neck micrometric index. A small hammer, lifted by a ratchet wheel mounted onthe minute wheel arbor, strikes one blow every15 seconds, with bolt in the band.Signed on the dial, cuvette and movement.Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 3
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This watch was certainly made upon special request for an astronomer in order to be used as a journeyman clock, allowing to time special astronomical events during an observation by means of a telescope.