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A V&C Mini-Museum
The fad of mini-museums is growing; I've seen art displays inset into neighbourhood fences, bird houses, mail boxes, and other creative venues. Inspired by this trend (and a lack of space in the cabinet to showcase everything at once) I've attempted to create a mini-museum around a theme which I'm dubbing; "Chronometers of V & C, a Timely Reminder".
The heart of this arrangement are three observatory chronometers, bookended on one side by navigation chronometers and the other side with variations of V&C's own Chronometre Royal line. Thrown in the mix is a demi-chronometre and a chronograph just to keep you on your toes ;-)
I find the trials watches (each one also a prize winner) so interesting because they were intended for such different purposes. The elaborately decorated Chronometre Royal watch from 1910 was one of only a handful from that model line to be certified as a chronometer and undoubtedly was created as a halo piece to stimulate sales of the non-certified pieces; thus showing the commercial influence of the chronometer. The silver-cased deck watch holds a trials movement from 1927 which was retrieved from the shelves to help fill the rush orders that came with WWII. This watch represents the technical excellence of the chronometer and it's incontrovertible necessity as an aid for navigation. Finally, the presentation watch inscribed CHRONOMETRE on the cuvette, and also from 1910, was gifted from V&C's long-time bankers to a valued acquaintance; reflecting the prestige of the chronometer amongst connoisseurs.
I'll probably change it up after a month or so, but for now I hope you enjoy this rather amateurish but very enthusiastic mini-museum!
Congrats! I think you nailed it :)
I really like how you presented it. (Of course helped by the excellent pieces).
Fantastic "mini" museum, and also a fantastic idea!! I'd love to come to your town -- not just to see your museum, but to live there given how safe it must be!! :-)) Congrats again! :-) [nt]
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Stunning mini museum...
Actually I believe each piece would deserve a proper presentation with only few pieces per each thread. I would would have loved to leave close to you so as to be your official photographer and make a real photo shooting session as I am certain each deserves to be appreciated from many angles. But I am sure you will manage very well to do it very well on your own 😉. Big congrats on the idea and the superb collection it must be. We need more details to come now ! 
Many thanks for sharing,
Mike
True, each watch has a unique history
I could even say each one has its own life story, whether the drama of the observatory competitions or adventures on the high seas. The amazing thing is that most of this history is still available to researchers. One of the deck watches was on a submarine that escaped from the surrender at Singapore, another on a top-secret radar ship at the beaches of Normandy, yet another on a famous destroyer with an astonishing war record. The competition watches incorporated high-tech for the times guillaume and crausaz balances, meticulously assembled and adjusted by famous regleurs who were rockstars of their day. Better photographs are beyond my limited skillset but I'll spin a yarn for anyone who will listen...
Some have been covered on Purists before
Most recently the Chronometre Royal observatory watch here: www.watchprosite.com
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and the Chronometre Royal deck watch here: www.watchprosite.com
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plus tagged onto amanico's thread was this brief peek at another CR deck watch with gorgeous movement decoration and the CR helm-style desk watch here: www.watchprosite.com
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There is limited interest in pocket watches today so I'm not inclined to spend a great deal of time describing each piece unless it would address some specific point that comes up. LOL, one can generate more discussion on the color of a strap or dial than the history of V&C. Not the collector's fault, to be sure. With only an Instagram presence ever so feebly keeping the vintage candle lit, I wish the Manufacture would step up their game with more academically-inclined research and documentation.
True. I do know very little about Vacheron, and don't own any of their watches (I've been almost exclusively into Patek recently)...
... but given that Vacheron's history is arguably one of the most complex and fascinating of all watch brands, it does indeed sadden me to see the marginal attention it's receiving today from Vacheron itself and (therefore?) from its own collectors. Even from a simple marketing/monetary standpoint, which I'm sure is their main motive, not placing enough focus or resources into a 260+ year tradition is just, in my opinion, too shortsighted (and disrespectful) a strategy to ever succeed.
I confess I've been reading a few of your earlier posts since you shared this beautiful idea of the museum, and no need to tell you that your education and passion in this field are just impressive. Because of your work, I know more about Vacheron now, and I am much more interested in it than I was before --- hence, Thank-you! 
I'm frankly not sure how to define academic research in this context (though it's actually academic research (in abstract algebra!) that allows me to buy my Pateks!, but please do keep up your enviable, though time-consuming, work. For what's worth, I believe Vacheron should seriously consider facilitating, and perhaps financing, some of what you are doing --- and should start by offering help with this incredible "mini" museum that you've graciously chosen to share with other watch lovers.
I'm frankly not sure how to define academic research in this context (though it's actually academic research (in abstract algebra!) that allows me to buy my Pateks!, but please do keep up your enviable, though time-consuming, work. For what's worth, I believe Vacheron should seriously consider facilitating, and perhaps financing, some of what you are doing --- and should start by offering help with this incredible "mini" museum that you've graciously chosen to share with other watch lovers.For one, if you keep writing on this topic, you will have me among your faithful readers! Best wishes.
Best wishes.Thanks for your kind comments :-)
If I could be granted just one wish it would be for VC to publish the photo archives from 1938 where The World of Vacheron Constantin left off. Just another fifty years would be fine...
Thank you for sharing, Dean!
It looks fantastic!!
Probably once VC makes own museum...
WBR
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