Vacheron & Constantin gold and enamel keyless dress watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1922
Maker / issuer
Vacheron ConstantinThis Vacheron & Constantin keyless dress watch, numbered 389238, was completed in September 1922 and sold on 7 September 1931. The three-body, bassine pincée case features bezels, a pendant, and a bow decorated with black champlevé enamel.
The case band and the spring-loaded back are engraved with scrolled foliage, with the coat of arms of Geneva engraved on the interior of the back. It is equipped with a 17-line gilt brass movement, which is fully engraved with foliage and features 18 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring. The two-tone silver dial includes applied gold Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds, and gold bâton hands.
The movement and case engraving are attributed to V. Martin. The object is referenced in L'Univers de Vacheron Constantin and La Montre Suisse 1945.
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
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Vacheron & Constantin
- Diameter
- 46 mm
- Engraver
- V. Martin
- Case Serial
- 245650
- Date of Sale
- 7 September 1931
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Serial
- 389238
- Date of Completion
- September 1922
- Maker / attribution
- Vacheron & Constantin
Design
- Visible features
- • Black champlevé enamel on bezel, pendant, and bow • Two-tone silver dial with applied gold numerals • Visible subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock • Intricately engraved case band with scrolled foliage
- Movement and Dial
- The timepiece features a 17-line gilt brass movement, which is fully decorated with floral-inspired foliage engraving. Technical specifications include 18 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic balance paired with a Breguet balance spring. The movement is numbered on the front plate beneath the dial. The dial is rendered in a two-tone silver finish with applied gold Arabic numerals and gold bâton hands. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark. The watch is signed on the dial and the case.
- Case and Enamel Decoration
- The watch is housed in a three-body case described as "bassine pincée." The external surfaces are detailed with black champlevé enamel, specifically applied to the bezels, the pendant, and the bow. In addition to the enamel work, the case band and the spring-loaded back feature detailed engravings of scrolled foliage. The interior of the case back bears an engraving of the coat of arms of Geneva. The case is completed by a gold glazed cuvette, protecting the movement within. The engraving work on the case is attributed to V. Martin.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The watch is formally documented in two horological publications. It appears in the book 'L'Univers de Vacheron Constantin', Geneva, specifically on pages 331 and 333. Additionally, it is illustrated by E. Jaquet and A. Chapuis in the 1945 publication 'La Montre Suisse', where it appears as plate 130. These records corroborate the production details, including the completion date of September 1922 and the sale date in 1931.
Identification
- Serial number
- 389238
- 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: The exact gold karat content is not specified in the source
- Research required: The source does not explicitly verify the material of the case beyond 'ct. gold'