Vacheron & Constantin Deck Watch Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1942
Maker / issuer
Vacheron ConstantinThis open-face deck watch chronometer by Vacheron & Constantin is reported to date to circa 1942. The piece is housed in a 59 mm sterling silver case, with the dealer stating the case back bears Hydrographic Service markings HS 55076 and the dust cover bears serial number 286408.
The dial features a light silvered finish, Arabic numerals, outer minute and fifth-of-a-second track, and blued-steel hands with center seconds. The movement is reported by the seller as a 21-jewel caliber 166 full-bridge mechanical design fitted with a Guillaume alloy bimetallic split balance and swan's-neck regulator.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Pocket chronometer & deck watch
- Case diameter
- 59mm
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Service marking
- HS 55076
- Movement caliber
- Caliber 166
- Maker / attribution
- Vacheron & Constantin
- Regulator mechanism
- Swan's-neck regulator
- Internal hallmark and serial
- 0.925 silver, serial 286408
Design
- Visible features
- • Light silvered dial signed 'VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS' at 6 o'clock. • Blued-steel poire-style hour and minute hands accompanied by a slender blued center-seconds hand. • Black Arabic hour numerals with an outer track calibrated for minutes and fifths of a second. • Open-face silver case with a prominent fluted winding crown and top bow.
- Movement Specifications
- The movement is identified as a 21-jewel, 21-ligne (approx. 47 mm) Caliber 166. It is a full-bridge design equipped with a swan's-neck regulator, a Guillaume alloy bimetallic split balance, and an overcoil blued-steel hairspring. The mechanism uses an indirect center-seconds configuration, utilizing a cock on the main bridge to support the center-seconds jewel, with a spring intended to minimize hand wobble.
- Dial and Visual Features
- The dial has a brushed silvered finish with black Arabic numerals and a track calibrated for minutes and fifths of a second. Time is indicated by blued-steel poire-style hands for the hours and minutes, accompanied by a slender blued center-seconds hand.
- Case and External Identification
- The timepiece is housed in a 59 mm diameter open-face sterling silver case. The listing notes the case back bears an inscription for the Hydrographic Service, 'HS 55076'. A polished silver dust cover is located inside the case back, which is engraved with the manufacturer's name, '0.925' silver purity, and the serial number '286408'. The watch is described as including a fitted brass carrier and protective window with a screwed-in bezel.
Identification
- Reference
- 166
- Serial number
- 286408
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement specifications and case back markings (HS 55076, serial 286408) are source-reported and not visible in the primary photograph.
- Research required: The fitted brass transport carrier mentioned in the description is not shown in this image.