Swiss 18 carat rose gold hunting cased keyless lever Circa 1890

Rose gold ladies’ watch
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A Swiss 18 carat rose gold hunting cased keyless pocket watch, demi chronomètre, made by Vacheron Constantin SA in Geneva, circa 1890. The jewelled movement with a lever escapement. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and blued alpha hands. The plain case with a monogram on the front, and a hinged back and cuvette, the cuvette engraved with the technical details. Cuvette signed and numbered twice, movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 37 mm
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin Genève
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The name demi chronomètre was used to indicate that the movement was sent to the Observatory for chronometric control, but was, for commercial reasons, withdrawn before one could finish all the required tests. It is assumed that only three Genevan firms employed the denomination ‘demi chronomètre’: Henry Capt, Vacheron & Constantin and Fritz Piguet.