Tick Talk[Vacheron Moderator]
1988
Pin-Set Movement
Dec 06, 2011,12:25 PM
All of the V&C chronographs were "pin-set", which identifies the little button you noticed to the left of the crown. Normal winding was accomplished with the crown but setting the time required that you first depress the pin which engaged the hands to be set through the crown. Chrono was start/stop/reset using the crown button.
Initially I thought the movement with "brevet" markings was a franken, as you will notice its layout is reversed and not completely identical to the other, more typical, 381xxx movement. Then I came across another with similar markings and examined these more closely. After researching the previous articles on Corps of Engineers watches, I now believe that initially Ulysse Nardin was contracted to supply chronograph ebauches conforming with V&C design specs, however, with their lagging deliveries I believe they granted UN permission to also use their own stocks which were appropriately re-branded for V&C.
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A brief study of the Corps of Engineers pocket chronographs
By: Tick Talk : December 6th, 2011-10:17
With the creation of the American Heritage Project in support of VC’s newly opened New York Boutique, there has been renewed interest in historic timepieces with American connections. Most ubiquitous perhaps are the Corps of Engineers silver-cased pocket ...
I did, I did enjoy this history lesson.
By: respo : December 6th, 2011-11:46
This is great stuff. Thank you for this update and for your detective work. As you stated, "The intricate relationship between Swiss manufactures is always fascinating." The same could be said about the development of the cal. 1003 (VC) and cal. 2003 (AP)...
Pin-Set Movement
By: Tick Talk : December 6th, 2011-12:25
All of the V&C chronographs were "pin-set", which identifies the little button you noticed to the left of the crown. Normal winding was accomplished with the crown but setting the time required that you first depress the pin which engaged the hands to...
Really neat detective work.
By: grigo : December 6th, 2011-11:52
I found this little history lesson very interesting. It was a lot of fun to read. Best regards, George
"Examined By Vacheron & Constantin"
By: Tick Talk : December 20th, 2011-07:39
To conclude this examination of the Corps of Engineers pocket chronographs, I'd like to address a semi-ersatz version marked on the cuvette as "Examined By Vacheron & Constantin Gen è ve ". As previously discussed, the delivery order for pocket chronograp...
More pictures
By: Tick Talk : December 20th, 2011-07:42
Sorry, I was premature in hitting the "insert" button!...
I just had that same watch delivered!
By: papazulu : January 30th, 2012-15:16
Looks like I fell for the oldest trick, bad pictures and not looking properly. I´ve just bought that watch! The seconds hand has been replaced in the meantime. It´s clearly not as stated, a Vacheron & Constantin watch! Vacheron & Constantin 250968073590 R...
Ouch...I think you can make a case
By: Tick Talk : January 30th, 2012-17:41
with the seller or fleabay to return the watch for being "not as described". Too bad you didn't see this post first :-(
Eyes wide shut would be the correct definition
By: papazulu : January 31st, 2012-04:41
At the moment, i don´t know what to do, on one hand the watch is rare, maybe even rarer than the watches with original V&C movements, yet on the other hand I do feel like I´ve been "taken for a ride". What would Vacheron & Constantin say...
