Large Swiss silver keyless lever deck chronometer Circa 1942

Silver deck watch by Vacheron & Constantin
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A very fine, rare and large Swiss silver keyless lever deck and pocket chronometer made for the British Hydrographic Service, circa 1942. Rhodium-plated movement, Geneva striping and oeil-deperdrix decoration, 19 jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, straight line lever escapement, anibal brass Guillaume balance with gold timing screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometre regulator. Hinged silver cuvette. White enamel dial with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds, numbered 9537 and with the broad arrow mark, original blued steel spade hands. Polished case, the back engraved with the Admiralty broad arrow mark and H.S.2. Two tier wooden box with brass bowl and bexel. Dial, case and movement signed, bowl signed Dennison, British Made, case numbered. Accompanied by the original Dennison wooden deck box with issue labels from The Royal Greenwich Observatory, Chronometer Department at Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex and H.M. Chronometer Depot, Bradford-on-Avon, dated September 20, 1944.
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Length: 121 mm
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Width: 98 mm
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Height: 65 mm
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin Genève
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This watch is one of a series of 150 pocket lever chronometers made by Vacheron & Constantin in the 1940s. The British Hydrographic Service was established in 1795. The worldwide pre-eminence of the Royal Navy in the 19th century meant that Admiralty charts became the global standard for all ships, whether warships or merchantmen. The Service was the surveying arm of the Royal Navy. It acquired top level recognition early in the 19th century, when the Hydrographer of the Navy, Thomas Hurd, persuaded the Admiralty that their charts should go on general sale and that surveys at sea would best be carried out by Royal Navy ships.