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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Coin watch

Vacheron Constantin Yellow Gold Commemorative Coin Watch, Movement No. 628'990

Partially verified

This yellow gold commemorative coin watch by Vacheron Constantin dates to circa 1967 and features manual-winding movement number 628'990. Measuring 31 mm in diameter, the timepiece is documented by the auction house as part of a special commission ordered by the Ministry of the Imperial Court of Iran commemorating the Shah's White Revolution. The front bezel exhibits raised star accents framing a gilt time-only dial, while the caseback is fitted with a commemorative medallion bearing relief portraits of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, and Queen Farah Pahlavi.

Front view of the yellow gold Vacheron Constantin coin watch showing the gilt dial and star-accented bezel
Front view of the yellow gold Vacheron Constantin coin watch showing the gilt dial and star-accented bezel — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Coin watch
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1967
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
628'990

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

Construction and Design

This Vacheron Constantin coin watch, measuring 31 mm in diameter, is constructed in yellow gold and features a reeded, coin-style outer case edge. The bezel is embellished with raised, five-pointed star accents paired at the cardinal orientations.

The gilt dial is signed 'VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE' with 'SWISS' marked at the 6 o'clock position. Applied baton indices show surface oxidation, complemented by matching baton hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 31 mm.”
  • “Gilt dial signed 'VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE' and marked 'SWISS' at 6 o'clock”
  • “Reeded coin-style outer case edge”
  • “Outer bezel adorned with raised five-pointed star accents, paired at the cardinal orientations”

Commemorative and Historical Claims

The watch is associated by the source with a commission by the Ministry of the Imperial Court of Iran to commemorate the 'White Revolution' program. The caseback is reported to be fitted with a medallion bearing relief portraits of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, and Queen Farah Pahlavi.

The medallion is described as including Persian inscriptions and a date corresponding to October–November 1967.

Evidence for this section
  • “case back with commemorative medallion depicting Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and Queen Farah Pahlavi”
  • “accompanied by Persian inscriptions and a date corresponding to October–November 1967.”
  • “The watch itself formed part of a special commission ordered by the Ministry of the Imperial Court of Iran to commemorate the Shah’s White Revolution”

Technical Status and Documentation

The movement, numbered 628'990, is a manual-winding mechanism. As of the cataloguing date, the movement was ticking, though the source recommends a service.

Vacheron Constantin has indicated it cannot issue an Extract from the Archives for this item due to the absence of a recorded case number.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual”
  • “MOVEMENT NO. 628'990”
  • “Please note that Vacheron Constantin cannot issue an Extract from the Archives due to the absence of case number.”
  • “The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing; however, a service is recommended.”

Open research questions

  • Are there other verified examples of this specific 1967 Ministry of the Imperial Court commission that contain case numbers?
  • Does the absence of a case number represent a standard manufacturing deviation for this specific series of commemorative watches?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vacheron Constantin Yellow Gold Commemorative Coin Watch, Movement No. 628'990
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number628'990“MOVEMENT NO. 628'990”
Circa Date1967“CIRCA: 1967”
Case MaterialYellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
Case Diameter31 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 31 mm.”
DialGilt“DIAL: Gilt”
Movement TypeManual“MOVEMENT: Manual”
ProvenancePresented to Laura Louise Barkley MacArthur“It was presented to Laura Louise Barkley MacArthur, wife of Douglas MacArthur II”

Visible details

  • Arched top bow framing a fluted winding crown
  • Gilt dial signed 'VACHERON & CONSTANTIN GENÈVE' and marked 'SWISS' at 6 o'clock
  • Applied baton indices exhibiting surface oxidation and matching baton hands
  • Reeded coin-style outer case edge
  • Outer bezel adorned with raised five-pointed star accents, paired at the cardinal orientations

Research qualifications

  • The reverse medallion depicting the Iranian Imperial family is described by the source but is not visible in this photograph.
  • The source notes that an Extract from the Archives cannot be issued due to the absence of a case number.

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

Consulted source

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, YELLOW GOLD COMMEMORATIVE COIN WATCH, MADE FOR THE SHAH OF IRAN, MOVEMENT NO. 628'990 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record ad8668758a

Terms in this record

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

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