Specially made for J. E. Caldwell, one of Philadelphia's premier retailers at the turn of the century, it bears the prestigious name on the dial, movement, and case. The extremely high-grade movement with eight adjustments is also signed Vacheron & Constantin.
In vintage times, Vacheron & Constantin company enlisted the help of the one of the best American case manufacturers of the day, Cresarrow of New York, for certain watches intended for the U.S. market. Such is the case with this watch. Founded by Henry Blank in the late nineteenth century, Cresarrow contracted with Patek Philippe, Vacheron & Constantin, Tiffany, Cartier, and IWC among others to build some of the beautiful examples of their early wristwatch cases.
We were fortunate to acquire it with all of its original parts. It has a wonderful original 18K gold crown with cabochon sapphire.
Its 18K gold case with black tracery enamel case in is in beautiful condition, just short of mint. Its dial appears to have been refinished in vintage times, and is clean and presents very nicely.
One of our watchmakers has disassembled its high-grade ultra thin movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It is keeping accurate time. Photos of the inside available upon request.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.
Vacheron & Constantin
As the world's oldest watchmaker, Vacheron & Constantin certainly sets the bar for what constitutes a world-class timepiece. Prized by royalty, heads of state, and prominent public figures, their timepieces rank in the top tier of the most exclusive and expensive in the world.
Since the early 1800's, the elite Swiss firm Vacheron & Constantin has had as it's motto "Do better if possible... and that's always possible."
In contrast to modern Vacheron & Constantin watches that can be purchased at various jewelry boutiques around the world, their vintage pieces are fairly scarce. Vacheron & Constantin's attention to detail and strict quality standards limited their production capacity in the 1930's to only twenty to thirty timepieces per day.
- Manufacturer: Vacheron & Constantin
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Serial no.: 376,683
- Year built: c. 1915 - 1920
- Functions: Hours, Minutes
- Designed for: Men
- Case style: Open face
- Setting type: Stem set
- Case material: 14K Gold
- Case markings (inside): Cresarrow hallmark, 18K gold, 22909
- Case condition: Just short of mint with very light rippling to the back and very slight imperfections to the enamel
- Bow condition: Excellent
- Dial: Silver with Art Deco black painted Arabic numerals, outer minute track, refinished in vintage times, clean and presents very nicely with one small age spot
- Hands: Blue steel, original, "diamonds"
- Movement type: Extremely high grade keyless pocket chronometer, signed Vacheron & Constantin, rhodium plated, extra flat, 8 adjustments, index regulator
- Movement markings: Vacheron & Constantin, Swiss, 8 Adjustments, 18 Jewels, J.E. Caldwell Co., Philadelphia
- Crystal type: Mineral glass, excellent condition
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
