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WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Vacheron Constantin

An update re chronometer

 

You may recall I was seeking an explanation for the engraved "CHRONOMETRE" on the cuvette of this Chronometre Royal Chronographo. The usual venue that V&C submitted watches for chronometer testing was the Observatoire de Geneve and they were in Covid closure at the time of writing this article so I submitted the serial number and waited. I have recently received official notice that this watch does not appear in the registers :-(
Others that have researched chronometers at the Geneva Observatory may be as surprised as I was in also receiving a bill for CHF 50 along with their negative report. Seems they have taken to charging for a search in addition to the previous fee to obtain an Extract. I predict this will reduce the number of enquires dramatically, which may end the service altogether. If they are so intent on killing their goose that lays golden eggs, hopefully they will then do the responsible thing and simply make all records available online for manual searching.

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CHRONOMÈTRE ROYAL; Caramba! Chronomètre Royal Chronographo

 
By: Tick Talk : April 19th, 2020-11:12
Tick Talk © 19 April 2020 If you believe auction house notes, there were only twenty-five Chronometro Gondolo Chronographo watches produced for Gondolo & Labouriau; most being one-minute chronographs and six with 30-minute registers. They were advertised ...  

It would be a very enjoyable discussion

 
By: Tick Talk : April 19th, 2020-12:34
to "skylark" about such a timepiece. An enamel dial with the distinctive Chronomètre Royal arcing banner, monopoussoir button in crown, two sub-dials dials arranged one on top of the other, with the top being 30-minute totalizer in homage to the original,... 

So where have all the vintage enthusiasts gone?

 
By: Tick Talk : April 20th, 2020-10:43
We used to have more robust discussions about V&C history and vintage watches. I wonder if pocket watch collecting has gone the way of clock collecting; too niche to matter?

No, but

 
By: Tick Talk : April 20th, 2020-15:34
we discussed once before here: . I did an article on the old THL forum, too, called "AUF/AB - What is it good for?"

Gondolos chronometers are still around

 
By: Indigo : April 21st, 2020-06:52
There are quite a few in MercadoLivre Brazil in excellent condition, some even with the original box.

Is that a safe site?

 
By: Tick Talk : April 21st, 2020-07:22
Some time ago I registered on Mercado Livre and within 15 minutes got spoof email, so I assumed the platform was corrupted.

MercadoLivre is an eBay company

 
By: Indigo : April 21st, 2020-13:33
So the same rules apply to eBay - buy the seller, research, etc etc etc.

An artsy collage

 
By: Tick Talk : April 21st, 2020-13:17
I was feeling playful so created this image of the Chronomètre Royal Chronographo. Since posting this I also heard from someone with great experience that a few other chronographs have surfaced over the years in the Chronomètre Royal family, and versions ...  

most certainly :-)

 
By: Tick Talk : April 21st, 2020-15:44
I assume you are asking about the chronograph? I don't have any images of the winding indicator watch. ...  

Informative and food for thought

 
By: Rosneathian : July 19th, 2020-09:59
Hello. I'm returning the compliment that you posted on another forum to say, Thank You, for these excellent investigations. Much appreciated.

These are enjoyable reads

 
By: Rosneathian : July 19th, 2020-10:00
Hello. I'm returning the compliment that you posted on another forum to say, Thank You, for these excellent investigations. Much appreciated.

An update re chronometer

 
By: Tick Talk : July 19th, 2020-11:30
You may recall I was seeking an explanation for the engraved "CHRONOMETRE" on the cuvette of this Chronometre Royal Chronographo. The usual venue that V&C submitted watches for chronometer testing was the Observatoire de Geneve and they were in Covid clos... 

Late response sorry

 
By: Jurry : July 21st, 2020-12:05
But magnificent read. Thank you so much for sharing

Thoroughly enjoyable and insightful

 
By: Rosneathian : September 16th, 2020-21:44
Thank you for these three articles. They are rich in detail and colourful in interpretation. As others have remarked, the documentary sources are fascinating, and bring to life Brazil's commercial, economic and social life at the turn of the last century....