The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 120

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Chronomètre?, case and movement No. 189920, made in 1900. Very fine and rare astronomical 18K pink gold, hunting-cased, keyless minute-repeating pocket lever chronometer with perpetual calendar, chronograph and phases and age of the moon. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 40,000 - 50,000 / USD 50,000 - 70,000

Sold: CHF 97,750

C. Four-body, massive, "bassine et filets", polished, the cover with an engraved monogram ?V P?, hinged goldcuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute and chronograph tracks, subsidiarydials for the days of the week, the months of the leap year cycle, the dates and the seconds with inner moonphase aperture and lunar age sector. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. Cal. R.A. 19???, rhodium plated, "faussescôtes" decoration, 35 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguetbalance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Repeating on gongs via a slide in the band.Case and movement signed.Diam. 58 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 17 - 01

Notes

The more complicated a timepiece is, the more difficult it is to adjust, particularly as concerns complications such as a chronograph, split-seconds function, and/or a register. The additional wheelwork affects the timepiece's functioning - because of the amount of energy required - but often only sporadically, when, for example, the chronograph is in use - and because of the friction to which the moving parts of the mechanism - levers, springs, etc. - are subjected. It is therefore exceptional to find a timepiece with so many complications and which were submitted to Observatory control.