Vacheron Constantin

• 19''' rhodium plated 'German silver' lever movement with one-minute tourbillon carriage in polished steel cage, 21 jewels, guillaume balance, adjusted to temperature and 5 positions, wolf's tooth winding • white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, gold hands, subsidiary seconds • signed yellow gold cuvette with dated dedication and engraved "1er Prix Au Concours de L'Observatoire Astronomique de Genève", substantial plain polished case • case, dial, cuvette and movement signed • Bulletin Extract from the Geneva Observatory, Vacheron Constantin illustrated Certificate

The present watch is listed in Meis, R., Das Tourbillon, p.355

Movement running while cataloguing, an overhaul would be recommended. Case and dial in very good condition. Overall this rediscovered watch with tourbillon is one of the most interesting examples to appear lately on the auction market.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This recently re-discovered Vacheron Constantin tourbillon watch is one of the most important manufactured by the celebrated Geneva based watchmaker. Of the small number of tourbillons made by Vacheron, very few appear to have been cased and completed during the period in which the movements were made; indeed, most that have appeared at auction were cased relatively recently. It is especially rare, therefore, to find such an exceptional example as the present watch bearing an original period case.

The accompanying Bulletin Extract from the Geneva Observatory confirms that the present watch was submitted for rigorous testing at the Geneva Observatory in 1931 where it obtained the highly prestigious First Prize. The watch was prepared for the contest by one of the most famous precision watch adjusters, E. Olivier. In 1944 the watch was again adjusted by Olivier and tested once more at the Geneva Observatory. Following these final tests, the engraving to the cuvette indicates that the watch was presented to C.D. Wales in 1946.

Accuracy in timekeeping has been critical to advances in Science and, in 1873, the Observatory in Geneva held its first annual chronometer competition. Watchmakers competed with one another to attain the coveted first prize, only awarded by the Observatory to a very small number of the most exceptional timekeepers.