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Lot Essay
According to the Archives of Vacheron Constantin, the present chronomètre was manufactured in 1917.
With photocopies of the Kew A Report, the Geneva Observatory Bulletin and the listing of the chronometers having successfully participated at the 1917 Geneva contest. Furthermore delivered with a later Vacheron Constantin presentation box.
The present watch is one of the exceedingly rare Observatory watches made by the renowned manufacturer to appear at auction. It was awarded the highest distinctions available, a "Class A especially good Kew Certificate" with 91.9 marks in 1917 and a First Class Observatory Bulletin and 1st prize with 808 points at the Geneva Observatory contest in the same year. Its movement of superior technical design and finish is crowned with a high precision balance, constructed on the principles of Dr. Charles Guillaume's invention usually reserved for precision competitions at Observatories.
Precision timekeeping has always been vital to the scientific community, and in 1873, the first annual chronometer competition was held at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory. Rigorous quantitative internationally recognized testing standards were established. The testing, which initially lasted for 45 days, consisted of placing the watches in various positions and temperature conditions. The most precise precision timekeepers, such as the present watch, were awarded honours for the year.
Competition timepieces were taken care of by a small number of gifted and prominent precision adjusters such as C. Batifolier, M. Favre, J. Golay-Audemars, F. Modoux, E. Olivier, H. Wehrli and A. Zibach. The movement of the present watch had been prepared by François Moudoux.
With photocopies of the Kew A Report, the Geneva Observatory Bulletin and the listing of the chronometers having successfully participated at the 1917 Geneva contest. Furthermore delivered with a later Vacheron Constantin presentation box.
The present watch is one of the exceedingly rare Observatory watches made by the renowned manufacturer to appear at auction. It was awarded the highest distinctions available, a "Class A especially good Kew Certificate" with 91.9 marks in 1917 and a First Class Observatory Bulletin and 1st prize with 808 points at the Geneva Observatory contest in the same year. Its movement of superior technical design and finish is crowned with a high precision balance, constructed on the principles of Dr. Charles Guillaume's invention usually reserved for precision competitions at Observatories.
Precision timekeeping has always been vital to the scientific community, and in 1873, the first annual chronometer competition was held at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory. Rigorous quantitative internationally recognized testing standards were established. The testing, which initially lasted for 45 days, consisted of placing the watches in various positions and temperature conditions. The most precise precision timekeepers, such as the present watch, were awarded honours for the year.
Competition timepieces were taken care of by a small number of gifted and prominent precision adjusters such as C. Batifolier, M. Favre, J. Golay-Audemars, F. Modoux, E. Olivier, H. Wehrli and A. Zibach. The movement of the present watch had been prepared by François Moudoux.