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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Commemorative dress pocket watch

Vacheron Constantin Ref. 7945 Commemorative Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This reference 7945 open-face pocket watch by Vacheron Constantin dates to circa 1967. Housed in a 32 mm 18k yellow gold case fabricated by Guillod & Cie, the design features a coin-edge caseband and a broad bezel decorated with applied gold stars. The gilt dial displays baton hour markers and simple baton hands. According to the auction notes, the watch was commissioned by the Iranian Ministry of Imperial Court to commemorate the White Revolution and bears a relief medallion on the reverse with Persian inscriptions and royal portraits. It is driven by the manual-wind 17-jewel calibre K1014.

Dial and bezel view of the 18k yellow gold Vacheron Constantin reference 7945 pocket watch
Dial and bezel view of the 18k yellow gold Vacheron Constantin reference 7945 pocket watch — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Commemorative dress pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin
Reference
7945
Catalogue / lot identifier
127
Source-reported date
circa 1967
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
630900

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

Physical Configuration and Case Construction

The pocket watch features a 32 mm 18k yellow gold case with a coin-edge caseband. The bezel is decorated with applied star motifs.

The internal caseback contains a gold hallmark and the casemaker’s mark for Guillod & Cie, identified by the “121” hammer stamp. The exterior of the caseback bears a relief medallion with Persian text and portraits.

Evidence for this section
  • “18k yellow gold, coin edge caseband”
  • “DIAMETER: 32 mm.”
  • “Stamped with a “121” hammer, identifying Guillod & Cie as the case maker”
  • “Gold hallmark and casemaker key visible on the inside caseback”
  • “caseback medallion carries an engraving in relief and text in Persian”

Dial and Mechanism

The watch is equipped with a gilt dial featuring applied baton indexes and slender baton hands. The dial is signed "VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE" at the 12 o'clock position and "SWISS" at the 6 o'clock position.

It is powered by the manual-winding 17-jewel calibre K1014 movement. The movement was reported to be ticking at the time of cataloguing, though it has not been tested for timekeeping accuracy.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: GILT”
  • “Gilt sunburst dial with applied baton indexes and slender baton hands”
  • “CALIBRE. K1014, manual-winding, 17 jewels”
  • “Ticking at the time of cataloguing. However, we do not test the movement for accuracy.”

Provenance and Historical Context

According to the source, this watch was part of a set ordered by the Iranian Ministry of Imperial Court to commemorate the 1963 'White Revolution'. The caseback medallion includes the date corresponding to October-November 1967.

The watch was reportedly presented to Abdul-Monem Rifai, a former Jordanian Ambassador to Iran and Prime Minister of Jordan. It is consigned by his granddaughter and accompanied by a personal letter from the consignor.

Evidence for this section
  • “part of a set of timepieces ordered by the Ministry of Imperial Court commemorating the Iranian 'White Revolution'”
  • “date Aban Mah 1346 ‘Month of Aban 1346 [October-November 1967]’”
  • “presented to Mr. Abdul-Monem Rifai, the then Jordanian Ambassador to Iran”
  • “consigned by the grand-daughter of the original owner. This lot is accompanied by a personal letter from the consignor.”

Open research questions

  • What is the total number of pocket watches commissioned for this commemorative set?
  • Are there other known examples of the Ref. 7945 bearing similar commemorative royal inscriptions?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron Constantin Ref. 7945 Commemorative Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference7945“VACHERON CONSTANTIN, REF. 7945”
Movement Number630'900“MOVEMENT NUMBER: 630'900”
Case Material18k yellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold, coin edge caseband”
Diameter32 mm“DIAMETER: 32 mm.”
CalibreK1014“CALIBRE. K1014, manual-winding, 17 jewels”
Casemaker MarkGuillod & Cie (Key 121)“Stamped with a “121” hammer, identifying Guillod & Cie as the case maker”
Estimated Datecirca 1967“CIRCA: 1967”
Movement Serial Number630'900“MOVEMENT NUMBER: 630'900”

Visible details

  • Wide brushed yellow gold bezel applied with star motifs at cardinal and intermediate positions
  • Gilt sunburst dial with applied baton indexes and slender baton hands
  • Coin-edge caseband with arched bow and fluted winding crown at 12 o'clock
  • Signed 'VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock and 'SWISS' at 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The caseback engraving with Persian text and portraits described in the catalogue is not visible in this dial-side photograph
  • Movement condition reported as ticking at cataloguing but untested for timekeeping accuracy

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

Consulted source

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, REF. 7945, A RARE VINTAGE POCKETWATCH MADE FOR THE SHAH OF IRAN, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 630'900 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record a1efe179e6

Terms in this record

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