VACHERON CONSTANTIN, GENÈVE | A VERY FINE TWO-COLOUR GOLD JUMP HOUR KEYLESS LEVER WATCH 1930, CHRONOSCOPE, NO. 414999

• Movement: cal. RA 17''' PC damascened, lever escapement, 18 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, signed and numbered Vacheron & Constantin Genève, 414999 and with patent number 130191• Dial: silvered engine turned dial, centre with lower silvered banner signed Vacheron & Constantin, tapered aperture for jumping hours, outer long apertures following dial circumference with triangular-shaped ruby indicating minutes to a flat white gold bezel• Case: 18ct white and yellow gold, the white gold calibrated bezel with yellow gold chamfered outer edge, white gold case band, white gold snap-on back with yellow gold chamfered bezel, yellow gold pendant and shaped white gold bow, case signed and numbered Vacheron & Constantin Genève 257528

Dial: In good condition with some tarnishing to silvering of outer aperture. Case: In lovely condition retaining good definition to its angles and edges, light scuffs. Crystal is slightly loose. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good condition, would probably benefit from a service.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Accompanied by an Extract from the Vacheron Constantin Archives confirming date of manufacture in 1930. In 1925 the watchmaker Robert Cart created a unique complication which he called, the ‘Jumping Hour’ or ‘chronoscope,’ under patent number 130191. This was a brilliant system of jumping hours and wandering minute indication.

Breguet and Vacheron & Constantin were particularly keen to adopt the mechanism, of which there were two types. Breguet tended to use the first example with the wandering hours, and Vacheron the second type with the fixed indication aperture at 12, as we see in the present watch.

This example is a particularly fine and unusual one as it features not only a two-tone case in beautiful condition, but also a triangular tipped revolving ruby minute indicator