Vacheron Constantin Chronometer
About the Item
- Creator:Vacheron Constantin (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Switzerland
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1929
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
Vacheron Constantin
Iconic Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin was among the first brands to embrace the Geneva Seal and is the oldest watch producer in the world that is still in operation. Vintage Vacheron Constantin watches continue to charm and captivate collectors near and far, and the manufacturer’s Maltese cross logo, adopted in 1877, is instantly recognizable as an emblem of luxurious design and enduring quality.
Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the son of a master weaver in Geneva who instilled in his children his belief that working with one’s hands is a noble endeavor. Jean-Marc took his father’s convictions to heart and opened his watchmaking workshop at the age of 24. The watchmaker made custom watches for royalty and flourished as an innovator in its field.
Vacheron Constantin functioned as a family business for several decades after Jean-Marc’s death. His grandson, Jacques-Barthélemy, took over the business in 1810 and promptly realized that he would need support in order to expand the company’s reach as well as oversee production. He searched for a partner who was versed in international business and who had a fondness for watches — and he found it in successful businessman François Constantin, who became his associate in 1819.
Constantin was born to a merchant in Geneva. From a young age, he traveled extensively and honed his business skills, fast becoming a venerable merchant himself. Shortly after joining Vacheron, Constantin coined the company's motto, "Do better if possible, and that is always possible." These words continue to guide the brand to this day.
Since becoming known as Vacheron & Constantin in 1819 — and later, Vacheron Constantin — the company has enjoyed international acclaim for everything from jewelry watches to provocative shaped designs, and its alluring timepieces are highly sought after by antique and vintage watch enthusiasts.
Widely loved models designed by Vacheron Constantin include the sporty Overseas and the Patrimony, while a number of Vacheron Constantin watches hold world records. A vintage pocket watch previously owned by King Fuad I of Egypt is one of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction. Another watch — the Reference 57260 pocket watch — has 57 complications and took eight years to build. In 2022 Vacheron Constantin exhibited a selection of its rarely seen mid-century watches in its New York City flagship store. Since the 1990s, the company has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group.
Find a range of Vacheron Constantin pocket watches, wristwatches and bracelets on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- French Musical Automaton Picture ClockLocated in New Orleans, LAOne of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Wall Clocks
MaterialsPaint
- French Musical Automation Picture ClockLocated in New Orleans, LAThis incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. A clock is integrated within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, and, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of these fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back and into the middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component, plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting -- a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Wall Clocks
MaterialsWood, Giltwood, Paint
- 19th Century Exhibition Model of Expanding Table by Samuel HawkinsBy Samuel HawkinsLocated in New Orleans, LAA masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...Category
Antique 19th Century English Other Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.By James WattLocated in New Orleans, LAConsidered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...Category
Antique 18th Century English Other Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsMahogany
- Regina Upright Music BoxBy Regina CompanyLocated in New Orleans, LAAn extraordinary and rare coin-operated Regina Sublima upright music box crafted by the Regina music box company, one of the most recognized music bo...Category
Antique 19th Century American Other Musical Instruments
MaterialsOak
- Swiss Station Cylinder Music BoxLocated in New Orleans, LATiny dancers twirl to the melodious tunes produced by this Swiss station cylinder music box. The cylinder is joined by a drum and bells that give richness and depth to the wonderful music the box creates. Music boxes were at the height of fashion in the late 19th century and served as a status symbol for the European gentry. Switzerland was the birthplace of cylinder music boxes and home to the great majority of the most renowned manufacturers. This example, in its finely crafted English walnut case, boasts two combs, allowing the box to play in harmony for a richer, more complex song. This particular style, commonly referred to as a “station” or “showcase” box, was used to entertain guests in hotel lobbies, train stations and other similar public places, and as such would have been coin-operated. This example, however, does not accept coins. This, combined with its overall quality, complexity and beauty, indicates it was made for a private household of significant means. Today, these ingenious musical masterpieces are highly sought-after by collectors of musical automata...Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
MaterialsBrass
- Vacheron Constantin 18k Square Gold Ladies WatchBy Vacheron ConstantinLocated in Van Nuys, CAOriginal mid-century 1950 Vacheron Constantin Square in solid 18K 0.750 gold watch with 18k gold wrist band. SIGNED "VACHERON CONSTANTIN SWISS" SIGNED: "VACHERON CONSTANTIN GENE...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Vacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, a very fine, unique 18K pink gold pocket watchBy Vacheron ConstantinLocated in London, GBVacheron Constantin Ref. 92115, an extremely fine and unique 18K pink gold pocket watch Swiss-made, October 2001, Height 9cm, width 6.5cm, depth 1.5cm Open: height 9cm, width 13cm, d...Category
Early 2000s Swiss Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Constantin Bookends, C by Colé ItaliaLocated in Geneve, CHConstantin Bookends by Colé Italia, C with Agustina Bottoni Dimensions: H.20 D.7 W.7 cm Materials: The body is a cube in Marquina black marble with white veins. The top is in solid...Category
2010s Italian Modern Books
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- A Rare 2 Day Marine Chronometer By George HedgerLocated in Lincolnshire, GBA fine example of a 2 day chronometer in the original 3 tier mahogany and brass bound case by William Hedger, the movement with the unusual layout is almost like an 8 day example mad...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Scientific Instruments
MaterialsBrass
- Two Day Marine Chronometer, G.H & C Gowland, Sunderland No.1931Located in Norwich, GBA fine two Day Marine Chronometer by G.H & C Gowland, Sunderland No. 1931 Two day marine chromometer by G.H & C Gowland housed in a beautiful three tier mahogany brass bound box...Category
Antique 1870s English Nautical Objects
MaterialsMahogany
- Two Day Marine Chronometer by Whyte, Thompson & Co, Glasgow and South SheildsLocated in Norwich, GBA fine two day Marine Chronometer By Whyte, Thompson & Co, Glasgow & South Shields Two day marine chromometer by Whyte, Thompson & Co housed in a beautiful three tier mahogany brass bound box...Category
Antique 1780s English Nautical Objects
MaterialsBrass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Diamond-Encrusted Vacheron Constantin Necklace Offers the Most Glamorous Way to Check the Time
Party like it’s 1979 with this glittering, one-of-a-kind sautoir.
How to Tell If a Watch Was Actually Made in Geneva
Just because the dial says Geneva — or the alluring French version of the city's name, Genève — it doesn’t mean your timepiece was crafted in the watchmaking capital.