Swiss 18K gold, enamel and diamond set lever Circa 1871

Gold decorative hunting cased keyless watch
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A fine Swiss 18 carat gold, enamel and diamond set hunting cased keyless pocket watch made by Charles Vacheron & Cie in Geneva, circa 1871. The nickel finished jewelled lever movement with a bimetallic compensation balance and wolf’s tooth winding. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute track, sunken subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and gilt hands. The translucent green enamelled case with a black enamel scallop edge featuring a gilt floral motif, the front with a central diamond set floral design, the hinged back cover with a gilt and diamond set motif in the center, an engraved geometric design to the edges, band and bow, and a gold cuvette. Cuvette, dial and movement signed, cuvette and case signed.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Signed: Charles Vacheron & Cie
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Charles Vacheron & Cie was the official name of the legendary Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron & Constantin between 1869 and 1870.
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In 1869, Charles Vacheron took over the management of the company from his father, César Vacheron, and changed its name to Charles Vacheron & Cie. Just a year to a year and a half later, in April 1870, Charles died unexpectedly at the young age of 25.
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He left no heirs, so the business passed to the family’s widows: his mother, Laure Vacheron-Pernessin and his 80 year old grandmother, Catherine-Etienne Vacheron.
The company was soon renamed Veuve C. Vacheron et Cie, until 1877, when it finally reclaimed its historic and current name: Vacheron & Constantin.