Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch

Vacheron & Constantin Chronomètre Royal Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Vacheron & Constantin 'Chronomètre Royal' pocket watch, bearing movement serial number 371554 and case number 271425, was produced in 1941. The timepiece is housed in a large, four-body, sterling silver 'bassine' style case featuring a hinged cuvette. The white enamel dial displays bold, painted upright Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a sunk subsidiary seconds dial, complemented by blued steel spade hands. Powering the watch is a frosted gilt bridge caliber movement (Cal. 22??? 73-2 P.R.C) with 17 jewels. Technical specifications include a straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance equipped with gold screws, a Breguet balance-spring, and a swan-neck micrometer regulator. The case, dial, and movement are signed by the manufacturer.

The obverse showing the white enamel dial, and the reverse displaying the frosted gilt movement and silver case.
The obverse showing the white enamel dial, and the reverse displaying the frosted gilt movement and silver case. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron & Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
58
Source-reported date
1941
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
371554

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 timepiece is contained within a four-body, 'bassine' case crafted from sterling silver. A notable feature is the inclusion of a hinged sterling silver cuvette, which protects the movement. The overall diameter of the watch is 59 mm, a size identified as large for this period.

The dial is executed in white enamel and features bold, upright Arabic numerals painted in black. The design includes an outer minute track and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom of the face. Time is indicated by a pair of blued steel spade-style hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, "bassine", solid, hinged sterling silver cuvette.”
  • “White enamel with painted upright Arabicnumerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands.”

Movement and Technical Features

The movement is a Caliber 22??? 73-2 P.R.C, constructed as a bridge caliber with a frosted gilt finish. It is jeweled with 17 stones and incorporates a straight-line lever escapement. The oscillator consists of a cut bimetallic compensation balance fitted with gold adjustment screws and a Breguet-style balance-spring.

Fine adjustment of the timing is managed through a swan-neck micrometer regulator, which is mounted on the balance bridge.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 22??? 73-2 P.R.C,frosted gilt, bridge caliber, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement”
  • “cut bimetallic compensation balance withgold screws, Breguet balance-spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator.”

Condition and Rarity

The auction house provides a condition report for the watch, assigning a grade of 'AA' for overall condition. The individual components are rated as 'Good', with specific grades of 3 for the case and 3* for the movement.

According to the provided notes, the silver configuration of this Chronomètre Royal is highly unusual.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”
  • “It is very rare to find ?Chronomètre Royal? watches in silver; most were made in gold”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific variations in size and metal composition mentioned in Chapter VII?
  • Does the serial number 371554 correspond with specific production batch records held by the Vacheron Constantin archive?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron & Constantin Chronomètre Royal Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVacheron & Constantin“Vacheron & Constantin, Genève”
Movement Number371554“No. 371554”
Case Number271425“case No. 271425”
Year of Manufacture1941“Made in 1941”
Diameter59 mm“Diam. 59 mm.”
EscapementStraight-line lever“straight line lever escapement”
BalanceCut bimetallic compensation balance“cut bimetallic compensation balance withgold screws”

Visible details

  • Large sterling silver case with four-body construction
  • Frosted gilt bridge caliber movement with 17 jewels
  • Swan-neck micrometer regulator for balance adjustment
  • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds at six o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Condition grading reports indicate the need for a movement overhaul
  • The auction house notes that silver versions of this model are significantly rarer than gold

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

Consulted source

'Bold Arabic Numerals' Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, 'Chronomètre Royal', No. 371554, case No. 271425. Made in 1941. Fine and very rare, large keyless sterling silver pocket watch. Accom-panied by a Certficate of Authenticity.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3330b59839

Terms in this record

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

Other keyless pocket watch records