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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunting-cased pocket watch

Vacheron & Constantin Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Vacheron & Constantin pocket watch, produced in 1913, is an 18K yellow gold hunting-cased, keyless-wound timepiece. The object features a five-body 'bassine' case with a polished band. The front cover is elaborately cast and chased with a depiction of a tower house within a landscape, framed by fruiting vines. The case back features a monogrammed finish. Internally, the watch contains a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement. The white enamel dial is accented with painted black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, completed with gold spade-style hands. The watch is signed by the maker on the dial, case, and movement. It is powered by a frosted gilt, bridge-caliber movement identified as Caliber R.A. 20, which utilizes wolf's-tooth winding and a straight-line lever escapement with 18 jewels, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and an index regulator.

Front view showing the white enamel dial and an angled view showing the relief-carved front cover.
Front view showing the white enamel dial and an angled view showing the relief-carved front cover. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Hunting-cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron & Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
133
Source-reported date
1913
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
365624

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 housed in a five-body 'bassine' case constructed from 18K yellow gold. The exterior exhibits high-relief decoration on the front cover, which features a landscape scene including a tower house surrounded by fruiting vines. The band is polished, and the back cover is monogrammed. A hinged gold cuvette protects the internal movement, and the case closure is of the hunting type.

The white enamel dial serves as a backdrop for painted Arabic numerals, which are positioned in a standard layout. The dial also features an outer minute track and a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial. Gold spade-style hands indicate the time. The dial is signed by Vacheron & Constantin.

Evidence for this section
  • “five-body, "bassine", solid, polished band, front covercast and chased with a tower house within a landscapesurrounded by fruiting vines, monogrammed case back”
  • “D. white enamel with painted Arabic numerals,outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade" hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece is driven by the Vacheron & Constantin Caliber R.A. 20, a bridge-caliber movement finished in frosted gilt. The winding mechanism utilizes the traditional wolf's-tooth gear design.

Technical regulation is managed via a cut bimetallic compensation balance and a blued steel Breguet balance-spring. An index regulator is employed to adjust the timing of the watch. The movement contains a total of 18 jewels. The movement is signed by the maker.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. R.A. 20., frosted gilt, bridge caliber, wolf'stooth winding, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguetbalance-spring, index regulator.”

Signatures and Condition

The watch is signed on the dial, the case, and the movement, confirming the integrity of the watch as a Vacheron & Constantin product. The movement number is 365624 and the case number is 220971.

The auction description reports the watch's condition using a numerical grading system. The case is evaluated as 3-8-10, the movement as 3-6, and the dial as 3-01.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3 - 8 - 10 Movement: 3 - 6* Dial: 3 - 01”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the 'R.A. 20' caliber in the Vacheron & Constantin production range during the 1910s?
  • Who was the original owner represented by the monogram on the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron & Constantin Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVacheron & Constantin“Vacheron & Constantin, Genève”
Date of manufacture1913“Made in 1913”
Serial number365624“No. 365624”
Case material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold pocket watch”
Movement caliberR.A. 20“M. Cal. R.A. 20.”
EscapementStraight line lever“straight line lever escapement”
Jewel count18“18 jewels”
Case styleBassine five-body“five-body, "bassine”

Visible details

  • Front cover depicts a tower house in relief
  • Case back surface appears monogrammed
  • Movement is bridge-type with frosted gilt finish
  • Watch features a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the monogram on the case back is not specified
  • The source does not provide details regarding the original owner or provenance history

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

Consulted source

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 365624, case No. 220971. Made in 1913. Fine, hunting-cased, keyless, 18K yellow gold pocket watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 99700d4a17

Terms in this record

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

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