DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, rare aluminum watch, 44mm, aluminum OF original Vacheron & Constantin case with "Presented to H.F. Jewell by Aluminum Company of Canada Ltd. in Recognition of 25 Years of Loyal Service 1949" engraved to rear, aluminum dial with applied numerals, SW-SS, lever escapement with capped escape wheel, 17J, aluminum mvt plates with fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#456287. Gross weight of assembled watch 12.8 dwt (19.9 g). A notably rare watch, this Vacheron & Constantin aluminum pocket watch was commissioned by Henry Birks of Montreal on behalf of the Aluminum Company of Canada as presentation pieces for their employees. The initial delivery of these watches occurred in 1938, and by April of 1950 a total of 271 examples were delivered. Based on observed examples, it appears a small but unknown number of additional examples were produced until at least 1955. These watches are a delight to hold in one's hand, as their remarkably light weight immediately grabs one's attention as these watches are well less than one-half the weight of most equal sized gold cased Vacheron & Constantin dress watches.
CONDITION:
Mvt: NR, fully wound, likely broken balance staff, overhaul needed, fine cosmetic mvt condition overall, numerous scattered fine to micro-fine scratches, small marring immediately around stem detent screw, case screws are missing; dial with scattered pinpoint surfaces spots, fine to micro-fine scratch inside 3; fair hands with nearly complete finish loss to minute and seconds-hand, finish loss to sizable portion of hour stem; case shows light wear, some scratches and mars around opening seam at lower rear, some scattered fine scratches elsewhere, good presentation engraving detail; bow pivots freely, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1400
-
$2800
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