Horological Meandering

quattro · 2025-09-22T20:38:46Z

Explore the history of "bras-en-l'air" watches by Vacheron Constantin, featuring stunning human figure designs from the 18th to 20th century.

‘Bras-en-l'air’

Since my double thread dedicated to the double retrograde complication (Part 1 & Part 2), I've been wanting to highlight its ‘bras-en-l'air’ (‘arms up’ or ‘arms in the air’) variant, where hours and minutes are indicated by each arm of a human figure.

The earliest examples of ‘bras-en-l'air’ pocket watches date from the end of the 18th century and, in the 20th century, Vacheron Constantin produced several quite remarkable examples (their first ‘arms up’ movement for a Verger frères pocket watch was created in 1929).

Sometimes, as you will see below, the human figure and its arms have been replaced by other various elements.

The ‘bras-en-l'air’ double retrograde display has also been featured on some wrist watches, but I decided to stick to pocket watches here.

Best, Emmanuel

A/ EARLY EXAMPLES (circa 1790-1820)

1/ Chopard Manufacture Museum, Fleurier

2/ Musée des Arts Précieux Paul Dupuy, Toulouse

3/ Circa 1790, enamel dial, sold by Antiquorum

credit: Antiquorum

4/ Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds

credit: @iamcasa

5/ British Museum No. 1958,1201.1797, Anonymous, Swiss, c.1790

B/ 20th CENTURY EXAMPLES WITH HUMAN FIGURE

1/ Buddha

Verger Frères, made for Grogan Co.

Verger Frères, Retailed By J. E. Caldwell & Co. & Verger France

Verger Frères, Retailed By J. E. Caldwell & Co.

Verger France

credit: Christie's (1 & 3), @roni_m_29 (2) & Ethan Lipsig

2/ Chinese mandarin (Vacheron Constantin)

credit: @thehourlounge & Sjx

3/ Fakir or snake charmer (Vacheron & Constantin, No. 412694, case by Verger Frères, Paris)

credit: Antiquorum

4/ Indian magician or Guru with surahi (Vacheron & Constantin, Ref.11886, No. 412697, case No. 12854, case made by Verger, France. Made circa 1930)

credit: Antiquorum

5/ Joueurs de volant (shuttlecock players) - Vacheron Constantin, Ref. Inv. 10667, 1960

Note that here the two arms belong to two separate people

credit: alain2701 on montresmecaniques.forumactif (1), @thehourlounge (2-3) & iwatchome (4)

C/ 20th CENTURY EXAMPLES WITHOUT A HUMAN FIGURE

1/ Eagle (Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, movement no. 412691, case stamped VF for Verger Frères, no. 12317, retailed by Charlton & Co., circa 1930)

credit: antiquorum (1 & 3), alain2701 on montresmecaniques.forumactif (2), Vacheron Constantin (4) & @Tone_SA_ on reddit

2/ The Fox & the Crow (Patek Philippe ref. 784 conceived and created by Louis Cottier in 1958)

This particular dial is based on Aesop’ fable, later reinterpreted by Jean de La Fontaine. The fox raises its right paw to indicate the hour which is shown on the left-hand sector. Simultaneously, the crow opens its beak, dropping the precious cheese, made in platinum, which in falling indicates the minutes on the right-hand sector.