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Vacheron Constantin

Movement Finish

 

Hi Bill.  We know this order by the Corps of Engineers taxed V&C's abilities to deliver the required numbers, and in fact they did not succeed!  I'd speculate that they began with movements assembled from parts in stock, then moved to regular production.  At the time a gilt finish was typical for this grade of chronograph, however, we know the mercury vapor deposit process was a specialized skill that was slower than the nickel-plating process.  I'd suggest that they proceeded with both methods simultaniously to maximize production.  Just a guess however.  There are also movements with a mix of both types of finishes but that may have been from field repairs by the Quartermaster Corps.  These watches were also frequently re-cased by returning soldiers who wished to convert them for civilian use.

Here is the only photo I've come across of an original gold-cased production version:




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The Watch That Went to War

 
By: Tick Talk : December 28th, 2009-09:59
Vacheron Constantin: The Watch That Went to War U.S. Army Corps of Enginers Description Case: four-body bassine case of polished 0.900 silver, hinged inner cuvette engraved ‘VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE’, back engraved ‘CORPS OF ENGINEERS U.S.A. No. 2407’...  

Time-only Version

 
By: Tick Talk : December 28th, 2009-10:18
Sorry for the wrong photo of a time-only 15 jewel Corps of Engineers watch. Here is the real thing from an unkown website. Note the field modification of 24hr time scale stamped onto dial....  

Will have to read it again, Tic Talk, BUT

 
By: amanico : December 28th, 2009-11:40
It is a very interesting post. It reminds me the Lecoultre Torpedo Boat Chronometer. Thanks a lot, your post, and the watch are both keepers! Best, Nicolas

Thank you for the detailed history, Dean....

 
By: WHL : December 28th, 2009-17:37
I've always been a bit fascinated by these watches which show up at auction a couple of times a year, though I've never gotten the nerve to acquire one because they are too distant from my collecting priorities. You mentioned that the movements were both ... 

Movement Finish

 
By: Tick Talk : December 29th, 2009-09:17
Hi Bill. We know this order by the Corps of Engineers taxed V&C's abilities to deliver the required numbers, and in fact they did not succeed! I'd speculate that they began with movements assembled from parts in stock, then moved to regular production...  

Stunning watch.

 
By: VMM : December 29th, 2009-09:35
Love the beautiful dial . Thanks for sharing. Vte

Great watch and article, but

 
By: =RWK= : December 29th, 2009-19:48
keep the dial and hands sealed at all times. The Radium decomposes into a fine powder, which will become air bourne in the slightest air current. It can then be breathed in, where it becomes trapped in one's lungs and causes trouble! Would love to see dia... 

Wonderful story & beautiful watch!

 
By: SteveG : December 31st, 2009-06:15
Thanks very much for the history lesson. I have several deck chronometers, but I think the nicest of the group is my V&C, this one from the British Hydrographic Service. Typical silver case, straightforward dial and blue hands, and with the expected fabul...  

OMG thats gorgeous!

 
By: Tick Talk : December 31st, 2009-14:50
Wonderful piece! I've admired it before...the hands are brilliant blue. Do you think that is the result of conventional bluing? Also, it looks like the dial is champleve enamel...yes? The wood case is British-made, was that typical for the Hydrographic Se... 

Another movement picture...

 
By: Tick Talk : January 4th, 2010-07:47
The quality invested in these timepieces was amazing, considering the time and purpose for which they were constructed. Much like the Rolls Royce armored cars in use during the period....  

Very nice indeed....

 
By: WHL : January 5th, 2010-18:03
and certainly beyond what one would expect in a tool watch such as this.

Correction to your misinformation!

 
By: papazulu : February 24th, 2012-11:09
A nice article, but... you wrote; The AEF order for Vacheron & Constantin was signed in May of 1918 for 5,000 pieces to be delivered in lots of at least 100 per month and 150-200 whenever possible. By the time deliveries concluded in 1920, a total of 3,28...  

Thanks for this additional information!

 
By: Tick Talk : February 24th, 2012-14:00
However, one letter doesn't capture the entire contract with V&C...the total figure of 5,000 ordered and 3,289 watches delivered was provided by Vacheron Constantin themselves. What you have is the order for the time-only, non-chronograph silver-cased C o... 

My apologies

 
By: papazulu : February 25th, 2012-07:56
I´m sorry if I came over in a rude fashion, It certainly wasn´t intended. You are right of course, it was the order for the "half chronographs" ... Best Regards

other caseback numbers

 
By: papazulu : February 25th, 2012-08:12
...and I have the No. 12569 in my collection, which is a Zenith! Also 1094 V & C, 10159 V & C, 9665 Ulysse Nardin, Best Regards