Vacheron Constantin

Tick Talk
[Vacheron Moderator]
2191

• Show profile
• Show other posts

The Watch That Went to War, Part II

I'm pleased to introduce this example of a Vacheron & Constantin Corps of Engineers time-only pocket watch.

Case

In 0.900 silver, round, 52mm four-body “bassine” case, engraved on cuvette: “Vacheron & Constantin Geneve”.  Manufactured in 1918.  This example has the original case back inscriptions polished out.

Movement

Calibre R.A. 19’’’ 194 A.R.T., stem-winding, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with fine regulator, Breguet hairspring, gilt bridges and plates.

Dial

White enamel, luminescent Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds, blued steel luminescent cathedral hands.
 

As related my earlier review of the V&C Corps of Engineers chronograph watch; "The Watch That Went to War", at the beginning of World War I the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers used American-made Hamilton pocket watches.  Having adopted the General Railroad Timepiece Standards of 1893, the Corps required that each watch incorporate several technical features to ensure easy winding, legibility and accuracy to within 30 seconds a week.

The Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF) Quartermaster Corps decided to procure necessary replacement watches in Europe.  Zenith and Ulysse Nardin were contracted for time-only watches and Vacheron & Constantin mainly for chronograph watches.  These manufacturers often sub-contracted with others to meet their large orders.  Contracts for over 10,000 pocket watches were tendered to Swiss factories.

The AEF order for Vacheron & Constantin was for 5,000 watches.  By 1920, a total of 3,289 Vacheron & Constantin timepieces had been received by the Corps.  The great majority of these watches were single-button chronographs, while few time-only watches are known.

As historically interesting "tool" watches, acceptable collectors condition may include mildly dented cases and scratched movements as a result of being used and serviced in the field.  Undamaged dials with intact luminescence are always most desirable.  Many examples survive today as a result of being gifted to or purloined by soldiers and brought home for personal use.

Site Info.