$299,500
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 464269, case No. 614921, This watch was awarded First Prize in The Neuchatel Observatory Timing contest in 1947. Cased and sold in 1989.An exceptional keyless, 18K pink gold pocket chronometer with one-minute tourbillon regulator and Guillaume balance, which obtained 922 points at the 1948 Neuchatel Observatory Timing Contest, adjusted by master adjuster Urbain Brahier. Accompanied by original leather fitted box. three-piece, stepped bezels, double reeded band. solid 18K pink gold, applied gold radial Roman numerals, engine turned center and outermost. Gold "Dauphine" hands. 50 mm (22’’’), pink gold gilt brass decorated with vermicelli pattern, going barrel with over-winding protection click, 20 jewels, tourbillon regulator with 3-arm equidistant carriage, lateral calibrated lever escapement, anibal-brass Guillaume compensation balance with special alloy Breguet balance spring, micrometric reguator with pin gap closing option.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 60 mm. Notes On March 27, 1930, the Horological School of Le Sentier registered specifications for a tourbillon regulator, which in time proved to be tremendously successful. Vacheron Constantin used this ebauche for their best tourbillons destined for Observatory trials.s.The design of this watch is very well thought-out: the arbor of the pallet fork is set outside the fourth wheel, allowing for a longer fork and facilitating manufacture. The entire carriage is very elegant,
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-12-02
