Horological Meandering

If only my watch could collect Air Miles. I picked-up this Chronometre Royal as a non-runner, which is a situation I generally recommend others avoid. But I knew a secret about the watch and it was just too much to resist. So it crossed the Atlantic for t...  

It also serves to remind one that these companies are honestly not into supporting service, and are truly after new watch sales. I can only imagine what the VC bill estimate was... I'd like to see a big brand dedicate a portion of their capital to service... 

You are describing a situation like Mercedes-Benz Master Upfitter Program which certifies qualified independent shops to modify vehicles from stock while still retaining the factory warranty. They wisely recognized this market segment was better handled b... 

Sometimes I am tempted by the thought of owning & wearing a pocket watch... If you are willing to share the info, could I PM you to ask about your watch restorer?

but I lack the equipment to measure

Wonderful to see such beauty been put back to life! Best Blomman

Thanks Leaving it as a non-runner was never an option.

The CR really looks fantastic, and it is inspiring to hear how accurate it remains after so many years. Congratulations! Robert

Thanks my friend. Another almost forgotten name, Batafolier was the regleur for this watch and also assembled the escapement. He mostly worked for V&C, but not exclusively, and won V&C a First Prize for Manufactures in 1895. It wasn't until the 1930s that... 

for the engraver to chisel the entire case. On average there appears to be nine cuts for each "feather" (I believe it is described as Ostrich Feather pattern). A nice touch is the decoration on the bow.

You did a great thing having this important watch restored. Thanks for sharing the story and images! Enjoy it! Best, Brandon

I probably won't wear it much. Aside from the lack of a suitable chain, the real problem is size! I have several other pocket watches that carry well in a vest or pocket, but these bigger pieces couldn't have been practical for daily wear, even back in th... 

Beautiful piece of Royal History .

The archives at VC are in the process of being digitized so hopefully enthusiasts will benefit more in the future from their treasure trove of information.

and congrats on finding it! About the balance - are you sure about the details ? I'm asking because, at least to my knowledge, there is quite a difference betwenn a Guillaume balance and a Crausaz type. Do you have a picture of your CR not running, i.e. t... 

Could you elaborate a bit more on the two balance types? Quite fascinating given the controversy in the past. Cheers and thanks, Magnus

Sorry Tick-Talk, found the first page you posted somewhere else - still I'd be interested to see a picture of the balance wheel stopped Best Suitbert

Here are close-ups of both a Crausaz (top, pre-restoration picture so a bit grim) and Guillaume (V&C cal. 162). I've had VCs Heritage Dept ask the same question, but alas there is no way other than metallurgical to distinguish between the two. The go-...  

And thanks for the details! You're right about the problem of terminology in that regard - I could imagine there are some more or less hidden details between a nickel-steel /brass balance wheel from Crausaz or other suppliers. I also believe there were mo... 

I could go on and on about Constant Crausaz. He exhibited at the 1878 Paris Exposition as a maker of compensation balances, with a shop on the rue Berthelier in Geneva. During the same period he instructed on their manufacture at the Ecole d'Horlogerie, a...