Service Repair and sales of Wrist and Pocket Watches. All work carried out by graduate certified watchmaker.
Vacheron & Constantin (Bigelow, Kennard PL) : Circa 1916. 18k yellow gold hidden-hinge open face original Bigelow & Kennard signed hinged back and bezel case, #385.574. 49mm. SW/SS. Highest quality observatory quality timepiece. Fully capped lever escapement with Guillaume balance bearing gold and platinum timing screws, the center bridge marked Integral Balance, 21 jewel, raised and screwed gold jewel settings including full gold cap escutcheons on the cock, pallet and escape, 1904 patent micrometer regulator of fine design, gold train, fausses-cotes damascene,07. The serial number was engraved on the dial plate next to the balance to prepare the watch for submission to observatory trials, ca 1916. This watch is significant for a number of reasons;
Vacheron & Constantin observatory quality timepieces are rare compared to other watches with Guillaume type compound balance; the mark ‘Integral Balance’ is not typically seen on the few Vacheron-Guillaume watches that do come to market, and rarely is any balance reference seen on other Guillaume balance watches regardless of maker; the use of full gold jewel settings and gold train is seldom seen on Vacheron watches of even the best quality, and must have been ordered specifically for the US market; in typical Swiss market grades the watch would be 20J, but in this case the center wheel was jeweled on the dial plate; the purpose of the Guillaume type compound balance was to eliminate middle temperature error by use of a balance of specific form with Invar alloy interior to the bimetallic strip, thus the watch would keep excellent time no matter what the normal ambient temperature fluctuations; the dial-plate numbering on any observatory submission from any maker was a specific rule which one can find, for example, in any certificate of the Geneva Observatory. A fine rarity in excellent condition, triple signed for Bigelow & Kennard, signed Vacheron & Constantin on mvt as well. Case weight with crystal 32.3 Dwt 18K Serviced by Abell Watchmakers
Vacheron & Constantin observatory quality timepieces are rare compared to other watches with Guillaume type compound balance; the mark ‘Integral Balance’ is not typically seen on the few Vacheron-Guillaume watches that do come to market, and rarely is any balance reference seen on other Guillaume balance watches regardless of maker; the use of full gold jewel settings and gold train is seldom seen on Vacheron watches of even the best quality, and must have been ordered specifically for the US market; in typical Swiss market grades the watch would be 20J, but in this case the center wheel was jeweled on the dial plate; the purpose of the Guillaume type compound balance was to eliminate middle temperature error by use of a balance of specific form with Invar alloy interior to the bimetallic strip, thus the watch would keep excellent time no matter what the normal ambient temperature fluctuations; the dial-plate numbering on any observatory submission from any maker was a specific rule which one can find, for example, in any certificate of the Geneva Observatory. A fine rarity in excellent condition, triple signed for Bigelow & Kennard, signed Vacheron & Constantin on mvt as well. Case weight with crystal 32.3 Dwt 18K Serviced by Abell Watchmakers
