Mens 1913 VACHERON & CONSTANTIN Vintage Watch GENEVE PRISTINE & ORIGINAL, PORCELAIN DIAL,HIGH GRADE MOVEMENT Start Price USD 0.50 Current Price USD 2,020.00 Time Left - Bid Count 30 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, October 11, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Location Kiev See more about 'Mens 1913 VACHERON & CONSTANTIN Vintage Watch GENEVE' Description VACHERON & CONSTANTINGENEVE UNIQUE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF WRISTWATCHVERY BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE WATCH 1913VERY BEAUTIFUL MECHANICAL WORK If you have been collecting watches for a while I think you’re going to appreciate the following timepiece. One could argue that the word “RARE” gets tossed around a bit too easily on eBay but I think this is one case where the moniker is well deserved. I am pleased to offer for sale this 1913 timepiece. “VACHERON & CONSTANTIN” sold to GEORGE H. SQUIRE, NEW YORK (Member of a Maiden Lane Jewelry Firm) a company that was the official supplier to the American market.     The history of Vacheron Constantin The Once and Future King   One of the greatest names in Swiss watchmaking, Vacheron & Constantin is the archetype of the Prestige Swiss Watch Company. Vacheron & Constantin, along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, make up the classic Trinity of 20th century Swiss watch brands. With a customer list in their Golden Book that reads like a veritable World Who's Who of the past two and a half centuries, Vacheron and Constantin's pedigree and recognized brand cachet is without question. That they have maintained their position at the apex of the watchmaking firmament throughout their existence, across the years and spanning the generations, makes their reputation all the more impressive.   To understand the glory that is Vacheron & Constantin, knowledge of their history and past achievements is necessary. Since their earliest days, the Vacheron name has been synonymous with fine watchmaking. The name has been well regarded by the cognoscenti and the industry insiders, always spoken with a degree of reverence and respect.   Set amidst the backdrop of the European Age of Enlightenment, Revolution, and the chaos of social and political upheaval, Vacheron & Constantin's story parallels that of the history of the modern Western World. It is an interesting and worthy history indeed. Watchmaker's Workshop in 18th Century Geneva Christophe De Ziegler, Geneva Kunsthistorisches Museum    Vacheron and Constantin's origins can be honestly traced back to 1755, when the 24 year old Jean-Marc Vacheron joined the ranks of the Cabinotier of Geneva. Cultured, well read, and a respected member of the intelligentsia of the time, young Jean-Marc quickly established a reputation for producing timepieces of the highest grade. Vacheron's reputation extended to the Royal Courts of Europe, where their creations impressed even the Court Timekeeper and Royal Watchmakers. One of the great seeming contradictions of Haute Horlogerie is the worship of hand craftsmanship, the mystique of the human touch, in an endeavour that is often better served by mechanized production. In an ironic way, this same paradox partially accounts for the renaissance of the mechanical watch in the last two decades of the 20th century. In an age of virtual reality and digital paradigms, the sensual image of human hands polishing and adjusting a complicated movement, hearing the soft tic-tic-tic of the escapement, precise and reliable beyond all other complex mechanical systems, is somehow soothing and lends some degree of comfort to humans that are, after all, inherently part of the analog, physical world.   Chronology of The House of Vacheron Constantin   1755 Foundation by Jean-Marc Vacheron. 1819 François Constantin joins the company. 1839 Hired as a production engineer, Georges-Auguste Leschot revolutionised watchmaking techniques by inventing the pantograph. 1880 Appearance of the “Maltese Cross” in the Vacheron Constantin logotype, based on a movement part fixed to the barrel and which made it possible to limit the degree of winding required for the latter. 1906 Inauguration of the very first Vacheron Constantin boutique, which is still located today on Quai de l’Ile in Geneva. 1935 Creation of one of the most complex pocket-watches ever made by Vacheron Constantin. Ordered by King Farouk of Egypt, this masterpiece took five years to create. 1955 200th anniversary and launch of the Patrimony, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch. 1979 Carved directly from a one-kilo solid gold ingot, the Kallista is set with 118 diamonds totalling 130 carats - five years of patient work. At the time, this was the most expensive watch ever sold. 1996 Vacheron Constantin joins the Richemont Group. 2004 Opening of the new head office and the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva and renovation of the brand’s historic head office: “La Maison Vacheron Constantin”, including an exclusive Boutique, a heritage center and the “Métiers d’Art” workshops. 2005 250th anniversary of the brand. 2005 Creation of the Tour de l’Ile, the world’s most complicated watch with double-faced display featuring an unprecedented combination of 16 horological complications and astronomical indications, and the Saint Gervais, a watch combining for the very first time a perpetual calendar, a tourbillon and over ten days’ power reserve. 2006 Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to the most noble, rare and precious of metals with the Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine This timepiece features a handsome ORIGINAL white porcelain enamel dial. It features a 60 minute checkered outer track border with RED numbering, elegant enamel painted Arabic numerals, original gold Spade-style hands and “sweep” gold seconds hand and 60 second outer chapter. Signed GEORGE H. SQUIRE in black enamel lettering below the 12 and further signed NEW YORK. It is a registered design model that features a three piece steel case that provides with glass cover of back lid.   Peeking inside via the glass lid I find a spotless and high quality, 15 Jewel manual wind nickel plated lever escapement movement with red Ruby jewel settings. The movement signed VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, GENEVE, SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS, ADJUSTED TO THREE POSITIONS, SWISS, GEORGE H. SQUIRE, NEW YORK. Also it signed movement serial number 346206. This serial number corresponds to the 1913 production date as per published records. This beautiful wristwatch has the original movement in an excellent status which was very well saved, considering age of this watch.   It is fitted on a new 18mm black oil strap with chrome gold buckle that is vintage style and goes great with this wonderful watch. Diameter (with crown):        49.00 mmDiameter (without crown):   45.00 mmWatch crystal diameter:      37.00 mmThickness:                          15.00 mm This rare watch winds and set smoothly while keeping very good, accurate time.   Always an EXTRA FINE watches at a no Reserve Price!!! If you like unique and minty vintage wristwatches (or just enjoy learning about all the different watch makers and models) I suggest you bookmark this page or add me to your "Favorite Sellers" list. I always have beautiful timepieces for sale ending Monday. Recommendations for the owner of antiquarian watches: - All Antique watches are mechanical. Many repairs will not be cheap, as most likely they will require replacement of non-standard parts (unlike most late model watches). - Antique watches should not be beaten or dropped - because repairs may be expensive. - Antique watches are generally NOT waterproof. This is because waterproofing was not in general production until the middle of the 20th century for most watches. Therefore you should protect your antique watch from exposure to moisture. - If your watch becomes wet it should be dried off quickly. Carefully open all covers and use a hair drier to blow dry the movement, dial, covers, crown. This will reduce the amount of rust. - If your watch becomes wet with any kind of salt water you should immediately immerse or spray your watch with fresh (no-salt) water to remove all the salt from the works before drying the watch completely. Any salt left in the watch will combine with moisture in the air to rust metal components of the movement, case etc. - Winding any mechanical watch tight may break the mainspring. If you can avoid it do not wind the watch hard. - When adjusting the hands of your watch, move them in a clockwise direction only. Counter-clockwise adjustments may damage the movement. - If you must adjust counter-clockwise make it for small adjustments only (i.e. for minutes, NOT hours). - Be careful and gentle when adjusting the movement speed (faster or slower). Don't make sharp movements, and don't touch other components in the movement especially the pendulum mechanism. - Every 2-3 years it is necessary to service and oil vintage watches. - IF the watch is dirty - allow the watch to run down, don't wind it again until you have it serviced by a qualified watch repair expert. Dust will absorb and remove important lubricants and cause the movement pieces to wear down. - To clean the case, dial and crystal you should use a cloth that does NOT leave fibers as these may get caught up in the movement. Check with your Watch repair expert to get an appropriate cloth. - Keep your antiques watch away from magnets. Strong magnetic fields may affect the accuracy of your watch since some vintage watches were made with iron based components in the movement. - Most Cases and Covers are fine components and will not handle abuse well. The watch should not be shaken, beaten, or stressed. - Antique watches generally experience an error of up to 5-7 minutes a day. Any accuracy of +- 5 minutes is very good. It will make a great addition to any collection. Payment must be received by seller within 7 days of the close of this auction. Zero feedback and negative feedback bidders must first email me so that I am assured You understand the auction rules and if You win, You will be able to pay for the item according to my terms and conditions. Email with questions BEFORE bidding.Winner adds funds for shipping worldwide by Air Mail (shipping and handling to all locations in the world is US$14.00). The watch in pictures is the actual watch that You will receive. Supplied without box and sold as seen. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BIDDING! Please note:Vintage watches are very delicate and I package to the highest degree to prevent damage.High altitude flights can be hard on watches due to extreme temperature changes. This can cause the oil viscosity to decrease (gum up) and prevent a watch from ticking (the balance moving freely etc.). It may need to be oiled when it arrives regardless of its recent servicing (if applicable). Although this is only a very slight possibility it can occasionally happen.Please bear in mind that you are buying a used watch and it will require service at some point in time.If You have any questions after reading the description or viewing the pictures please email me prior to bidding. RETURN POLICY:If You are not satisfied by Your purchase, please communicate with me, and we together it is obligatory to discuss and we shall resolve any created situation. I always reach a consensus with buyers who communicate with me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Email me with questions about the item.THANK YOU FOR LOOKING!Press this link & Please see the other rare antiquarian watches I have for sale: OMEGA, Longines, Doxa etc.     Powered by eBay Turbo ListerThe free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!