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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Gimballed marine chronometer

Vacheron Constantin Marine Chronometer with Detent Escapement

Partially verified

Dating to circa 1918 according to the cataloguing and an accompanying archive extract, this Vacheron Constantin marine chronometer features a brass bowl suspended within a brass gimbal system inside a wooden deck box. The white dial displays Roman hour numerals, blued hands, an up-and-down power reserve sector beneath 12 o'clock, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The instrument is documented as housing the manual-wind caliber RA 30''' with a spring detent escapement and a spring barrel with stop-work in place of a fusée. The brass bowl measures 83 mm in diameter within a fitted transport box with brass corner reinforcements.

Oblique high-angle view of the Vacheron Constantin marine chronometer in its gimballed wooden box with lid raised
Oblique high-angle view of the Vacheron Constantin marine chronometer in its gimballed wooden box with lid raised — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Gimballed marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
222
Source-reported date
Circa 1918
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
379'718

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

Object Identity and Documentation

This navigational timepiece is catalogued as a Vacheron Constantin "Marine Chronometer with Detent Escapement", described as a gimballed two-day marine chronometer with detent escapement and up-and-down indicator. It bears movement number 379'718 and case number 236'498.

The cataloguing dates the chronometer to circa 1918. It is accompanied by a Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1918, along with a gimballed wooden case featuring a brass plaque, and a key. Both the movement and dial are recorded as signed by the maker.

Evidence for this section
  • “222 Vacheron Constantin "Marine Chronometer with Detent Escapement" A very fine and extremely rare gimballed two-day marine chronometer with detent escapement and up-and-down indicator”
  • “Year Circa 1918”
  • “Movement No 379'718”
  • “Case No 236'498”
  • “Signed Movement and dial signed”
  • “Accompanied by gimballed wooden case with brass plaque and key and Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture in 1918”

Housing and Physical Construction

The chronometer's case is constructed of brass, catalogued at 83 mm in diameter within an outer case measuring 133 mm by 133 mm by 130 mm.

Visual observations record the instrument housed in a brass gimbal mount inside an open wooden box with reinforced brass corner brackets. A brass plaque is mounted beneath the keyhole on the exterior of the wooden box.

Evidence for this section
  • “Material Brass”
  • “Dimensions 83mm diameter in a case measuring 133mm x 133mm x 130mm”
  • “Housed in a brass gimbal mount inside an open wooden box with reinforced brass corner brackets.”
  • “Brass plaque mounted beneath the keyhole on the exterior of the wooden box.”

Dial Configuration and Movement Architecture

Observation of the face shows a white dial with black Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock, and an up-and-down power reserve indicator located below 12 o'clock.

According to the lot specifications, the movement is a manual-wind, jeweled caliber designated as cal. RA 30". The catalog essay notes that the caliber features a slim architecture in which the conventional fusée is replaced by a spring barrel with stop-work, paired with a spring detent escapement mounted directly on the bottom plate between the bridges.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and an up-and-down reserve indicator below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Calibre Manual, cal. RA 30", jeweled”
  • “the conventional fusée replaced by a spring barrel with stop-work, while a refined spring detent escapement is mounted directly on the bottom plate between the bridges.”

Open research questions

  • What specific text or numbering is engraved on the exterior brass plaque mounted below the box's keyhole?
  • What are the specific jewel count, balance spring material, and finishing marks visible on caliber RA 30" when the bowl is opened?
  • Does the Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives specify the original client, naval registry, or observatory testing results for movement 379'718?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron Constantin Marine Chronometer with Detent Escapement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number379'718“Movement No 379'718”
Case Number236'498“Case No 236'498”
CalibreManual, cal. RA 30", jeweled“Calibre Manual, cal. RA 30", jeweled”
Dimensions83mm diameter in a case measuring 133mm x 133mm x 130mm“Dimensions 83mm diameter in a case measuring 133mm x 133mm x 130mm”
Case MaterialBrass“Material Brass”
SignaturesMovement and dial signed“Signed Movement and dial signed”
Accompanying AccessoriesGimballed wooden case with brass plaque and key, and Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives“Accompanied by gimballed wooden case with brass plaque and key and Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture in 1918”
Auction ResultSold for CHF 190,500 against an estimate of CHF 20,000–40,000“Estimate CHF20,000–40,000 €21,700–43,500 $25,400–50,800 Sold For CHF190,500”

Visible details

  • Housed in a brass gimbal mount inside an open wooden box with reinforced brass corner brackets.
  • White dial with black Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and an up-and-down reserve indicator below 12 o'clock.
  • Brass plaque mounted beneath the keyhole on the exterior of the wooden box.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement architecture is not visible in the photograph.
  • Reverse and base of the brass bowl are not visible.

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

Consulted source

Vacheron Constantin The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIII

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8a2ccc8f12

Terms in this record

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

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