Details
MANUFACTURED IN: 1926
CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold
DIAMETER: 57 mm. diam.
DIAL: Enamel
MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless
FUNCTIONS: Time only
WITH: Vacheron Constantin Chronomètre Royal presentation box

+ This lot is subject to standard Swiss VAT rules and 7.7% VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer’ and the ‘buyer’s premium’
Special notice
This lot is subject to standard Swiss VAT rules and 7.7% VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer’ and the ‘buyer’s premium’
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Lot Essay

According to the Archives of Vacheron Constantin, the present watch was manufactured in 1926.

Offered in superb condition and obviously hardly ever been used, the enamel dial is perfect and the case as sharp and crisp as the day it left the manufacture. For the collector, this is a superlative example of the iconic ‘Chronométre Royal’.

The cuvette is engraved with the following presentation inscription: “La Société Genevoise d’Instruments de Physique à Walter Meyer 1906-1926”.

Following its reputation as a precision timepiece maker, Vacheron Constantin decided to launch such watches not only destined for competition but also for actual use; consequently, in 1907, the Chronomètre Royal was born. The name was filed for trademark on 28 May of the same year and on 8 May 1908 trade mark protection was filed for its English translation ‘Royal Chronometer’.

The idea was simple: a precision instrument robust enough for everyday use and extremely legible. The Chronomètre Royal was not adorned with any frills or superlative movement finish, it was a technical watch and as such the movement had no high grade aesthetic finish typical of the Genevan style but a more simple gilt finish (as in the movements used in competition), the dial was white enamel (chosen as it does not oxidize) and the a gold case (with some rare models in silver) with a guilloché or engine-turned back cover.

The highly successful model remained in production until the early 1930s and was revived in 1958 with the launch of the legendary Chronomètre Royal wristwatch.

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