I did, I did enjoy this history lesson.

Dec 06, 2011,11:46 AM
 

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) (see the thread below) and JLC's role in developing the movement and how the companies were related over the years. This is fascinating stuff. 

By the way, did the chronograph pushers vary on the different models of this pocketwatch. I have typically seen a small "button" to the left of the main crown on the Corps of Engineer pocket chronographs, but were there any that did not have this extra "button" ( I am not sure that it is a pusher to activate the chrono -- I have a feeling it is not) but just had the pusher as part of the crown? Or was the pusher only located in the main crown?  And did this variation if it existed correspond to the several different movements that illustrate your post? I recently saw a photo of one of these pieces without that small "button" to the left of the crown and I wondered if it was "correct" or not. 

Best,

respo

This message has been edited by respo on 2011-12-06 11:57:54

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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 ...  

That's some fine detective work! [nt]

 
 By: aaronm : December 6th, 2011-11:03
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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... 

Very nice investigationa work

 
 By: Watchlover78 : December 21st, 2011-06:47
Thank you for letting us know! Best regards, Baxter