Swiss 18K gold cylinder pocket watch with chatelaine Circa 1878

Gold, black enamelled and diamond set chatelaine watch
–
A fine Memento Mori chatelaine watch made by Vacheron & Constantin in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1878. The numbered open faced case of this mourning watch is crafted from 18 carat gold, has a back lid which is black enamelled and decorated with a rose cut diamond set monogram BH. The engine turned cuvette is inscribed Berthe Herluin 1878. The very fine white enamel Louis XV dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, Arabic five minute numerals and pink gold hands. The bar movement has a Vacheron & Constantin cylinder escapement and key winding. The watch comes with an original matching chatelaine and the original presentation box.
Movement signed.
–
Diameter: 31 mm
–
Weight: 24 g
–
Signed: Vacheron & Constantin Veuve Vacheron & Cie Succrs
–
The so-called Memento Mori jewellery was a central part of ritualized mourning at the time. They were mostly brooches or pendants, black enamelled and decorated with monograms. Precious chatelaine watches like this piece are extremely rare, especially when they were made by renowned Geneva manufacturers such as Patek Philippe or Vacheron & Constantin.