Swiss silver open faced lever observation watch Circa 1924

Silver chronograph
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A rare Swiss silver open faced observation pocket watch with chronograph made for the U.S. Corps of Engineers by Vacheron Constantin SA in Geneva, circa 1924. The 2/3 plate movement with a lever escapement and screw compensation balance. White enamel dial with large luminous Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track with fifth of a second divisions and red Arabic five minute markers, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and open work kite hands. The plain case with a gold crown, the reverse engraved Corps of Engineers U.S.A. No. 2774. Dial and cuvette signed, movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 104 g
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Signed: Corps of Engineers U.S.A. Vacheron & Constantin Genève
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U.S. Corps of Engineers
The history of the U.S. Corps of Engineers dates back to June 16th, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress created an Army command with a chief engineer and two staff members. The first chief engineer under General George Washington was Colonel Richard Gridley. It was not until 1779 that Congress created an independent corps of engineers. Since then, this so-called Corps of Engineers has been involved in all military actions by the United States. Its operations range from the American Revolution, where it took part in the decisive battles of Saratoga and Yorktown with the support of some French officers, to operations in Iraq.
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Since its founding, the Corps of Engineers has been mandated by Congress to provide its services to civil construction and work. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Corps oversaw the construction of coastal fortifications, lighthouses, dams and other large projects, as well as numerous port facilities. Likewise, the Corps of Engineers led the way in the 19th century. They took almost the entire mapping of the American West and American shipping routes upon themselves.
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The command’s operations required a robust and precise chronograph that could meet all demands. Therefore, the commander in chief of the American troops abroad in Bern commissioned Vacheron Constantin SA to develop a prototype for use in the field. The watch should have a silver case, a white dial with luminous Arabic numerals and hands, and a simple chronograph movement without a counter. Vacheron Constantin manufactured two prototypes, which were delivered on May 8th, 1918. An order for the delivery of 5,000 watches was placed on the same day. This order stipulated the delivery of lots of 100 watches per month. If available, 150 to 200 pieces could also be delivered. From July 1918 to the end of 1919, a total of 3,289 watches were delivered, meaning the contract was considered fulfilled. Vacheron Constantin’s archives indicate that a number of wristwatches with silver cases and gold clasps were also made for the corps.