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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Chronograph pocket watch

Vacheron & Constantin 18K Gold Chronograph Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This keyless dress watch was manufactured by Vacheron & Constantin in 1912 and is housed in an 18K yellow gold four-body "bassine" case. The watch features a white enamel dial with painted Breguet numerals, an outer minute track with chronograph divisions, and Arabic five-minute or seconds markers. Time is indicated by spade-shaped yellow gold hands, with a subsidiary seconds dial located at the bottom. The interior cuvette is engraved with a dedication to Emile Chollet, who served as the Director of the Compagnie Genevoise de Sétif. Internally, the watch is powered by an 18-ligne frosted gilt movement featuring 18 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic compensation balance with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming its production date.

Front view of the Vacheron & Constantin keyless chronograph pocket watch in 18K yellow gold.
Front view of the Vacheron & Constantin keyless chronograph pocket watch in 18K yellow gold. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Chronograph pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron & Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
446
Source-reported date
1912
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
355083

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch is encased in a polished four-body 18K yellow gold "bassine" housing. The interior cuvette displays a formal engraving identifying the original recipient as Emile Chollet, Director of the Compagnie Genevoise de Sétif, dated 1912. The case back features a personalized monogram.

The dial is constructed of white enamel and features painted Breguet-style numerals. The outer perimeter of the dial includes a dedicated minute track for the chronograph functions, supplemented by Arabic numerals at five-unit intervals. The watch is equipped with spade-shaped hands fashioned from yellow gold, which correspond to the material of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, "bassine", polished, engraved on the cuvette: "Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, à Emile Chollet,Directeur de la Compagnie Genevoise de Sétif, 1912", monogram on the case back.”
  • “White enamel withpainted Breguet numerals, outer minute track with chronograph divisions, Arabic five minute/seconds markers.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is driven by an 18-ligne frosted gilt movement. The architecture incorporates 18 jewels and utilizes a straight-line lever escapement mechanism.

To ensure timing precision, the movement is fitted with a cut bimetallic compensation balance, paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. According to the auction description, the movement is signed by the manufacturer, consistent with the dial and case inscriptions.

Evidence for this section
  • “18''', frosted gilt, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic com-pensationbalance, blued steel Breguet balance spring.”
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”

Condition and Documentation

The auction description provides a grade of AA for the watch, noting that while the case and movement are considered to be in good condition, a service is recommended for the movement. The dial is listed with a condition code of 3-14-01.

The object is sold alongside an Extract from the Archives provided by the manufacturer, which serves as historical verification of the production year and watch details.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3 - 14 - 01”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the Compagnie Genevoise de Sétif in 1912?
  • Has the monogram on the case back been formally identified as belonging to Emile Chollet?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron & Constantin 18K Gold Chronograph Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVacheron & Constantin“Vacheron & Constantin, Genève”
Serial Number355083“No. 355083”
Case Number222551“case No. 222551”
Date1912“Made in 1912”
Jewel Count18“18 jewels”
Case Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold”
Diameter51 mm“Diam. 51 mm”

Visible details

  • Spade-shaped yellow gold hands
  • Enamel dial with Breguet numerals
  • Chronograph seconds track with Arabic markers
  • Cuvette inscription present

Research qualifications

  • Movement requires maintenance
  • Condition grading reported by auction house

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 355083, case No. 222551. Made in 1912. Very fine and rare, keyless, 18K yellow gold dress watch with chronograph. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 620f036bfb

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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