Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...
New York, Jun 15, 2005
LOT 114
"Two-Tone Dial" Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 427940, case No. 280800. Made circa 1940. Very fine and elegant, staybrite keyless dress pocket watch.
USD 2,300 - 3,300
EUR 1,800 - 2,500
Sold: USD 2,300
C. Three-body, polished, inclined stepped bezel, rectangular bow. D. Two-tone, silvered, applied gold bâtonindexes and Arabic quarter hour numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Pink gold "bâton" hands.M. Caliber 17''', rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cutbimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator.Dial and movement signed.Diam. 47 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3 - 6* |
|
Dial: 3 - 5 - 01 |
Notes
Staybrite Is the name of a steel alloy containing 0.2% carbon, 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It is a stainless material that takes a fine polish and is therefore often used for making watch cases. It is probably the type of stainless steel that has been most widely used by watch companies, from the 1930's onwards. For further examples of Vacheron & Constantin watches with Staybrite cases see: Antiquorum, "The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Constantin", Geneva, April 3, 2005, Chapter VI.