Swiss pink gold watch by Vacheron & Constantin Circa 1898

Open faced gentleman’s pocket watch by Vacheron & Constantin
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A Swiss Vacheron Constantin chronometer with observatory bulletin and patented micrometric regulator, 18 Carat pink gold, circa 1898. Gilded brass movement, with going barrel, straight line equilibrated lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, adjusted by the precision timer C. Batifolier; patented index regulator.
White enamel dial with Roman numerals and Arabic outer, gold spade hands.
Open faced case, keyless wind, round shaped, pocket chronometer, hinged case back, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock. Movement based on the American invention patent no. 291 780, delivered on January 8, 1884, to Ernest-Jacques Roux and Louis-Uriel Fatio, Geneva, for a “watch regulator” (precision regulating device for fast/slow by means of a micrometric screw). Dial, Case and Movement signed.
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Diameter: 52.5 mm
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin à Genève
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Real scarcity of real chronometers By the end of the 19th century, the Swiss watch industry produced millions of watches. Each year, an infinitesimal part of them are especially manufactured and adjusted to be presented to the annual chronometrical contests of the observatories of Geneva or Neuchâtel. With the improvement of production techniques, the observatory regularly reinforces the rules of the contest; this competition becomes, every year, always more difficult. On the very small quantity of watches subjected to the rigorous and impartial control of the observatories, a good part is rejected; only the best pieces remain in the running. Winning a Bulletin de marche – especially one of “First Class” – allows watch manufacturers to prove their chronometry skills. The same applies to the distinctions obtained at industrial or artistic exhibitions, whether at regional, national or universal level. At a time when marketing and advertising do not exist, this is the only real way to promote a company to the public and potential customers. In 1898, in Geneva, only 26 pieces received a 1st Class Bulletin de marche (… on the millions of pieces produced by the entire Swiss watch industry; a large part of which is manufactured in the city at the end of the lake); this shows how a real “chronometer” with a Bulletin de marche is extremely rare! 
Original fitted box.