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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Vacheron & Constantin Gold Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the source, this Swiss open-face pocket watch dates to circa 1840 and is signed by Vacheron & Constantin, Geneva. The 42 mm 18-carat gold case features an engine-turned back centered on a vacant shield cartouche, framed by chased foliate bezels, a push pendant, and an engraved bow. Internally, the watch is reported to house a keywind gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel, cylinder escapement, and a quarter repeating mechanism chiming on two polished steel gongs. It is accompanied by an unusual winding key fashioned in the shape of a mortice lock key.

Rear view of an engine-turned gold pocket watch case showing chased bezels and an accompanying mortice-form key
Rear view of an engine-turned gold pocket watch case showing chased bezels and an accompanying mortice-form key — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron & Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Circa 1840
Country
Switzerland

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

Visible Case Decoration and Accompanying Key

In the provided rear photograph, the open-face case exterior displays fine engine-turned guilloché decoration centered on an unengraved shield cartouche with chased floral borders. The case rim and bezel are embellished with high-relief chased foliate and floral motifs.

Positioned alongside the pocket watch is an accompanying winding key shaped like a traditional mortice key, constructed with a trefoil bow and a steel winding pipe. The pendant assembly features an engraved or chased bow and a push piece.

Evidence for this section
  • “The closed case back displays fine engine-turned guilloché centering an unengraved shield cartouche with chased floral borders.”
  • “The case rim and bezel are embellished with high-relief chased foliate and floral motifs.”
  • “A winding key shaped like a traditional mortice key with a trefoil bow and steel winding pipe is positioned beside the watch.”

Reported Movement and Dial Specifications

According to the seller's cataloguing, the 18-carat gold case measures 42 mm in diameter and houses a keywind gilt bar movement. The movement is reported to feature a suspended going barrel, a plain balance cock with a blued steel regulator, a plain three-arm gilt balance with a blued steel spiral hairspring, and a polished steel cylinder with a matching escape wheel. The quarter repeating mechanism is described as operating via the push pendant, chiming on two polished steel gongs.

The listing further reports an engine-turned silver dial with Roman numerals, gold Breguet hands, and an offset subsidiary seconds display positioned at four o'clock. An inner gold cuvette signed with movement details is stated to provide access for key winding and setting.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch features a keywind gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel and a plain cock with a blue steel regulator.”
  • “The engine turned silver dial showcases Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds offset at four o'clock.”
  • “signed gold cuvette which displays details of the movement”

Attribution, Documentation, and Observational Constraints

The listing signs the timepiece to 'Vacheron & Constantin' with a stated origin of Geneva and assigns an approximate manufacture date of circa 1840. The piece is also noted to include a small horn presentation case marked 'E.L - 14 Feb 1882', though the seller's suggestion that it was a Valentine's Day gift is unverified conjecture.

Direct visual observation is limited strictly to the exterior case back, bezel edge, and the mortice-form key. Internal components—including the dial, hands, cylinder escapement, gongs, bar movement, and cuvette inscriptions—are not visible in the provided image and rely entirely on vendor claims. Specific serial numbers, reference markings, or casemaker hallmarks are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed Vacheron & Constantin”
  • “Date of Manufacture: Circa 1840”
  • “accompanied by a small horn presentation case, marked "E.L - 14 Feb 1882."”

Open research questions

  • What specific text, movement numbers, and hallmarks are engraved on the inner cuvette and inside the case covers?
  • Do movement inspection and archival records from Vacheron & Constantin corroborate the circa 1840 attribution and cylinder repeater calibre?
  • Can the provenance of the horn presentation case marked 'E.L - 14 Feb 1882' be identified?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron & Constantin Gold Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureVacheron & Constantin“Signed Vacheron & Constantin”
Date of ManufactureCirca 1840“Date of Manufacture: Circa 1840”
Place of OriginGeneva“Place of Origin: Geneve”
Case Diameter42 mm“Diameter: 42 mm”
Case Material18 carat gold“Encased in an 18 carat gold open face case”
EscapementCylinder“Swiss quarter repeating cylinder watch”
ComplicationPush pendant quarter repeating“push pendant quarter repeating mechanism, which chimes on two polished steel gongs”
Dial Material and LayoutEngine-turned silver dial with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds offset at 4 o'clock“The engine turned silver dial showcases Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds offset at four o'clock.”
Accompanying Presentation CaseSmall horn presentation case marked 'E.L - 14 Feb 1882'“accompanied by a small horn presentation case, marked "E.L - 14 Feb 1882."”
Accompanying KeyGold key configured in the form of a mortice lock key“unusual gold key in the form of a mortice lock key”

Visible details

  • The closed case back displays fine engine-turned guilloché centering an unengraved shield cartouche with chased floral borders.
  • The case rim and bezel are embellished with high-relief chased foliate and floral motifs.
  • A winding key shaped like a traditional mortice key with a trefoil bow and steel winding pipe is positioned beside the watch.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and dial features are not visible in the photograph and rely entirely on dealer statements.
  • The source title contains a typographical error ('Vachron & Constantin'), but the listing text cites 'Vacheron & Constantin'.

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

Consulted source

Gold Quarter Repeater By Vachron & Constantin - Circa 1840 » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 13d4c5c42c

Terms in this record

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

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