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Vacheron Constantin Corps of Engineers RA19/20"' Rare

Oct 31, 2021,17:16 PM
 

Sharing a wonderful update. I was able to get my VC 1918 Corps of Engineers Pocket Watch overhauled. This is what was done: Chronograph movement service (cleaned, oiled, regulated): made a new new stem to fit the watch perfectly and fitted a crown (not an original crown, I like the contrast, the crown is from 1910-1920) replaced and fitted (made a custom ferrule) chronograph sweep hand; case hand polished and ultrasonically cleaned. 


I want to personally thank "Tik Talk" for all his guidance and research regarding this pocket watch. The movement is not a typical movement found in other VC Corps of Engineers Pocket Watch, still researching to see if there is another VC Corps with the same movement. The Caliber is RA19/20''' which is a complicated chronograph movement, enjoy the pictures and the watch is keep great time. Based on the research by Tik Talk the ebhauche can be attributed to Louis-Elysee Piguet who are still in with us today as Frederick Piguet specialist movement maker. 

The only other time I have seen this caliber was in a VC gold cased  Chronograph that was sold at auction via Antiquorum

Enjoy the pictures!

Best,

FrankD











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Comments: view entire thread 

Thanks

 
By: Laser01 : November 1st, 2021-01:06
Thank you, I truly love this watch and will use it for Special events.

OMG what an absolute beauty

 
By: Jurry : November 1st, 2021-09:11
The history, the dial etc are great. But that movement is awesome. Just out of curiosity (as I don’t know that much about movements), what’s the function of that thin metal wire on the right side that goes south to north on the first movement picture? I o... 

Movement

 
By: Laser01 : November 1st, 2021-12:13
Jurry, I have no idea I am basically am new to pocket watches. Hopefully someone with more knowledge that me can help answer your great question. I am researching as much that I can about this watch. Bets, Frank

Are you are referring to

 
By: Tick Talk : November 1st, 2021-13:31
the ratchet wheel click spring? This spring provides tension to the ratchet wheel click by pressing against a stud just visible in the highlighted area. ...  

VC Corps in Leather Strap

 
By: Laser01 : November 1st, 2021-12:38
I have a reproduction WW1 leather strap for the Pocket Watch. This was as a display, not going to wear it with the strap, to risky leaving the crown exposed like that and hit it with something. Enjoy the picture. ...  

Nice touch!

 
By: Tick Talk : November 1st, 2021-13:22
The restorations went well, glad it is functional and that you are enjoying it so much. This calibre was first used by V&C some 15 years prior. Economic crisis and war dried up orders for gold-cased chronographs so the Corps order was salvation for the Ma... 

Great Incormation

 
By: Laser01 : November 1st, 2021-20:14
Thank you for all the wonderful information you have provided. So now it is time that I begin thinking about my next Pocket Watch to buy. I am leaning to a Railroad Grade Pocket watch made in the USA or search for the private label VC movement that the Ba... 

Question about caliber name

 
By: japonetc : March 29th, 2024-09:17
Can someone explane what the letters "RA" mean in the name of the caliber? Thanks.