Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Antique. No box or papers but a Passions box or pouch will be given.

Dating to late World War One, this is perhaps one of the most important military watch made by Vacheron & Constantin and issued to the United States Army, Corps of Engineers. The watch was purpose made, signed on the white enamel dial with corresponding military marks engraved on the back cover and engraved with issue numbers. This watch is tripled signed by VC on the dial, movement and the 0.900 silver case by the Swiss factory so it is properly stamped and signed throughout.

According to official archives. In the early spring of 1918, the quartermaster of AEF (American Expeditionary Force) set up an order for 10,000 pocket watches designated for the Corps of Engineers to be used mainly for the supervision of railroad operations in the European war campaign. Zenith, Ulysse Nardin plus Vacheron & Constantin were selected to provide time only watches that must be easy to read, simple to operate and accuracy of within 30 seconds a week. However only Vacheron & Constantin, one of the most respected Swiss watch maker was engaged for this chronograph. A contract was signed with VC for the order of 5,000 watches. However, this was a tall order even for the firm and the contract was never fulfilled. By the end of the deployment in 1920, only 3,289 had been delivered including few hundreds of time-only watches so there were only over 2000 of these chronographs. They were tool watches that saw uses in military operations and many would've been perished or lost over time with surviving examples often with damages so good examples like this is highly cherished.

The silver case shows the usual patina (left unpolished on purpose) and the double hinges on the back cover and inner cuvette are tight and so is the bow-ring around the crown which shows little use over the past century and the case has no traces of major dents nor deep scratches. The white enamel dial is flawless and radium removed for safety reason while those on the hands are likely of later addition some decades ago. This is a mono-pusher chronograph with no minute counter, it simply starts, stops and reset the main sweep-center seconds hand so would be used for calculations to 60 seconds. The movement presents in mint condition and shine like new with no hint of rust nor abuse by poor maintenance.

All functions work and time well. A desirable chronograph by one of the most prestigious Swiss watch maker with military service and most importantly in remarkable condition. With careful use, this watch will continue to serve you well for generations to come.

It takes about 20 winds on the crown to full power reserve & this watch has been in our collection for 15yrs. A historically important watch and cherished example for military watch collectors.

The history of United States Army Corps of Engineers can be traced back to 1775 during the revolutionary era under the Continental Congress when they saw a need to fortifications at Bunker Hill in Boston. Help was sought from the King Louis XI of France and many of the engineers then were French officers. It has since become a formation of the US Army.

It is interesting to note the Vacheron & Constantin was founded in 1755, some twenty years before and today known as Vacheron Constantin SA owned by the Richemont group.