Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Vacheron Constantin Deck Watch

Partially verified

This large, open-face, keyless-winding pocket chronometer, described as a "Deck-Watch," was manufactured by Vacheron Constantin circa 1941 for the British hydrographic service. Measuring 59 mm in diameter, the watch features a silver dial with large Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. Both the dial and the silver case bear the British Ministry "H.S" (Hydrographic Service) mark, accompanied by the broad arrow insignia and the identification number 9616. The watch is powered by a 21-ligne caliber movement featuring a lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws, and an index regulator equipped with a swan-neck spring and micrometric screw. The silver case was produced by the Fédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent (FFBA) with the identification mark of S. Graber, Renan. The movement is signed on the dial, case, and movement components, reflecting the watch's specialized military instrument designation.

Front view of the Vacheron Constantin deck watch showing the silver dial with Arabic numerals and British military identification number 9616.
Front view of the Vacheron Constantin deck watch showing the silver dial with Arabic numerals and British military identification number 9616. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
456
Source-reported date
Circa 1941
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
439616

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 pocket watch features a large, round-shaped silver case measuring 59 mm in diameter. The case back is engraved with the military designation "H.S" followed by the broad arrow symbol and the number 12. The case is constructed to a keyless-winding design, featuring a substantial pendant and crown. The case was manufactured by the Fédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent, specifically attributed to S. Graber of Renan.

The dial is silver in composition, configured with bold, large Arabic numerals for hour markers and a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position. The center of the dial displays the maker’s name, "Vacheron & Constantin," alongside the specific identification number "9616."

Evidence for this section
  • “round-shaped, large pocket chronometer”
  • “silver dial with large suspended Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds at 6”
  • “dial and case with British Ministry H.S ‘’broadarrow’’ mark number 9616”
  • “Case No. 278801 (by “FFBA”, Fédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent, S. Graber, Renan)”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a 21-ligne caliber, designed for precision timekeeping consistent with a deck watch. The movement is equipped with a lever escapement. The balance assembly utilizes a cut bimetallic compensated design, which incorporates gold poising screws to maintain rate stability across varying temperatures.

Adjustment is controlled by an index regulator, which includes a swan-neck spring and a micrometric screw for fine-tuning.

Evidence for this section
  • “Caliber 21’’’, lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws”
  • “index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Signatures and Attribution

The watch is signed by Vacheron Constantin across its primary components, specifically the dial, the case, and the movement. The serial number for the movement is recorded as 439616, while the case bears the number 278801. These signatures identify the object as a product of the Vacheron Constantin workshops, commissioned or supplied for the British hydrographic service.

The presence of the "H.S" and broad arrow marks on the dial and case serves as documentation of its official issue to the British hydrographic service.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signature Dial, case and movement”
  • “Made for the British hydrographic service, dial and case with British Ministry H.S ‘’broadarrow’’ mark number 9616”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical context of the 'H.S' 12 numbering compared to the '9616' number found on the dial?
  • Does the S. Graber signature on the case indicate this was a standard case supplier for Vacheron Constantin's military contracts in 1941?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron Constantin Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVacheron Constantin“VACHERON CONSTANTIN”
DateCirca 1941“Circa 1941”
Movement Number439616“439616”
Case Number278801“278801”
Case ManufacturerFédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent (S. Graber, Renan)“Fédération de Fabricants de Boîtes Argent, S. Graber, Renan”
Military MarkingsBritish Ministry H.S broad arrow mark number 9616“dial and case with British Ministry H.S ‘’broadarrow’’ mark number 9616”

Visible details

  • Large Arabic numerals on the white dial
  • Broad arrow military markings on the dial and case back
  • Subsidiary seconds register at the 6 o'clock position
  • Keyless winding crown with a large pendant bow

Research qualifications

  • The auction description reports that the movement requires an overhaul at the buyer's expense
  • The extent of wear on the silver case is noted as slightly scratched

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

Consulted source

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, LARGE HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE SILVER CHRONOMETER

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3d3ae99a8e

Terms in this record

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

Other deck watch records