1890s early 14k Rose Gold Vacheron Constantin fob watch Conversion to wrist watch
This example would have seemingly started life as a fob watch, having been converted in the past to be a wristwatch. The front of the case measures 30mm x 30mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 33.5mm. It is made of 14k gold which has a rose gold tone.
The lugs are a good colour match but have been added later to accommodate a strap. The crown tube appears to have been cut down to suit a smaller crown. The case is in good condition with no dents and only surface scratching.
The outside of the case back has a personal engraving on it, with the initials SC. It has one scratch from near the top lug until the middle, which is just below surface. Otherwise, it only has light surface scratches.
The inside is signed with a squirrel is the symbol for 14k gold, which is shown as 0.585 purity. The smaller squirrel symbol indicates that the case was made for export. The crown symbol is the German Imperial Crown within a circle that represents the sun, indicating that the export destination was Germany.
The inner hinged back is in very good condition with only light surface scratching.
It has a double coin edge engraving which sandwhiches the engraved Vacheron & Constantin Geneve name. Within this is also an engraving for G.W. Rieber Strasbourg.
The dial is in average condition for it’s age. It is an enamel dial with a cool white tone.
The sub-second dial is inset, with the minute track running around the dial with Arabic numerals indicating the minutes outside of this. Inside of the track there are neat Roman numerals for the hour markers. The dial is signed Vacheron & Constantin Geneve underneath 12 o’clock. There are hairline fractures and a slight surface blemish, these are expanded upon in the condition report.
The hands are original. They are a rose gold tone to match the case which is an indicator of the quality, with this being notoriously difficult to achieve with thermal action.
The movement is a 15 jewel movement by Vacheron & Constantin, of beautiful quality. The bridge layout is very typically Vacheron of the turn of the 20th century, with the underslung ratchet wheel and finger bridge. The movement has been recently serviced.
The crystal has been replaced with a cut mineral crystal. This is in perfect condition.
The crown is a replacement at the time of conversion. It seems to be quite old itself.
The strap is a new 10mm Meyhofer strap from Germany. It is formed of a single piece.
Full condition report below.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in average condition for it’s age. It is an enamel dial with a cool white tone.
The sub-second dial is inset, with the minute track running around the dial with Arabic numerals indicating the minutes outside of this. Inside of the track there are neat Roman numerals for the hour markers. The dial is signed Vacheron & Constantin Geneve underneath 12 o’clock.
It has a hairline fracture stemming from 8 o’clock which travels up the dial and splits near 11 o’clock. The surface has a slight blemish here too. There is a very faint hairline fracture from the top of the sub-second dial up to the hands, which then travels diagonally up to 1 o’clock.
Hands:
The hands are original. They are a rose gold tone to match the case which is an indicator of the quality, with this being notoriously difficult to achieve with thermal action.
Glass:
The crystal has been replaced with a cut mineral crystal. This is in perfect condition.
Crown:
The crown is a replacement at the time of conversion. It seems to be quite old itself.
Case:
The front of the case is made of 14k gold. This example would have seemingly started life as a fob watch, having been converted in the past to be a wristwatch. The lugs are a good colour match but have been added later to accommodate a strap. The crown tube appears to have been cut down to suit a smaller crown. The case is in good condition with no dents and only surface scratching.
Caseback:
Outer hinged back:
The outside of the case back has a personal engraving on it, with the initials SC. It has one scratch from near the top lug until the middle, which is just below surface. Otherwise, it only has light surface scratches.
Inside of Outer hinged back:
The inside of the case back is signed with a crown symbol, a big and small squirrel symbol, 0.585 purity, Maltese cross symbol and the serial number 185390.
The squirrel is the symbol for 14k gold, which is shown as 0.585 purity. The smaller squirrel symbol indicates that the case was made for export. The crown symbol is the German Imperial Crown within a circle that represents the sun, indicating that the export destination was Germany.
Inner hinged back:
The inner hinged back is in very good condition with only light surface scratching.
It has a double coin edge engraving which sandwiches the engraved Vacheron & Constantin Geneve name. Within this is also an engraving for G.W. Rieber Strasbourg.
Inside of Inner hinged back:
This has the 0.585 purity mark alongside the squirrel for 14k and the smaller indicating export.
Hinge condition:
The hinges are delicate and loose, with the backs going beyond 45 degrees. They are still complete and work but needs to be opened with care.
Strap:
The strap is a new 10mm Meyhofer strap from Germany. It is formed of a single piece.
Movement:
The movement is a 15 jewel movement by Vacheron & Constantin, of beautiful quality. The bridge layout is very typically Vacheron of the turn of the 20th century, with the underslung ratchet wheel and finger bridge. It has the serial number 307493.
The movement has been recently serviced.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 30mm
Case width with crown: 32mm
Case length: 30mm
Case length lug to lug: 33.5mm
Lug width: 10mm
Case Depth: 9mm