Movement ID

[Paraiba]

I have a 12 size pocket watch, in a Jas. Boss 20yr gold-filled case with dust cover,
Identified by a C H (or H C) monogram, also on the dial face, “made specially in Geneva”, and the number 2S75563.
The movement looks like a Vacheron & Constantin piece, and I know that they exported movements to the US between 1900 and 1935, which fits with the case, numbered 321158, that I believe is from around the turn of the 19th century, but the monogram and the “S” in the serial no of the works have me stumped.
I have two photos to help ID, but no idea how to include in this posting!
Can anyone help trace this piece?
Gratefully,
Paraiba

[Paraiba]

I have a 12 size pocket watch, in a Jas. Boss 20yr gold-filled case with dust cover,
Identified by a C H (or H C) monogram, also on the dial face, “made specially in Geneva”, and the number 2S75563.
The movement looks like a Vacheron & Constantin piece, and I know that they exported movements to the US between 1900 and 1935, which fits with the case, numbered 321158, that I believe is from around the turn of the 19th century, but the monogram and the “S” in the serial no of the works have me stumped.
I have two photos to help ID, but no idea how to include in this posting!
Can anyone help trace this piece?
Gratefully,
Paraiba

[doug sinclair]

Paraiba,

Go to the CLOCKS section and look for this<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Moderator:Phil Schilke



Topic Topic Starter Replies Views Last Post
Posting photos now made VERY easy. Viv Rose 30 1219 August 15, 2005 12:59
by Viv Rose
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you don't have websapce to upload your pitures to, then this will help you open a flickr account.

[Kent]

Hi Paraiba:

Welcome to the NAWCC Pocket Watch Message Board!

To expand on the good suggestion by Doug:

Currently, Tom Chaudoir, the NAWCC Message Board Administrator, is recommending that those who do not have web space in which to post pictures register for a free account at flickr.com (http://flickr.com/register.gne). Their menu-driven procedure for loading pictures is about as easy as it gets. After you enlarge the picture, using flickr's magnifying glass icon (the magnifying glass icon appears in a toolbar above the loaded & saved picture once you've clicked on the picture), scroll down below the picture to find the field labeled "1. Grab the photo's URL:" The link in that field is the one to post on the NAWCC Pocket Watch Message Board. The process is explained in detail in this Viv Rose old ref::NAWCC Clock Message Board Thread.

If you have a problem posting the picture(s), you can attach it (them) to an e-mail to me (you can get my email address by clicking on my name in the upper left-hand corner of this post and viewing my Public Profile) and I'll post it (them) for you.

Its also helpful if you can post all the markings that are on the movement (the "works") in case they can't be seen in the picture(s).

Good luck,

[Paraiba]

Here, I hope are the photos of the watch I want to ID.
My Thanks to Doug and Kent.

http://photos30.flickr.com/37391455_44d4b62f2f.jpg

http://photos26.flickr.com/37391453_4f71fb4675.jpg

http://photos28.flickr.com/37391454_47f7fbf234.jpg

If anyone has problems finding them, pls let me know.
Paraiba

[Jeff Hess]

I was skeptical at first but yes this DOES look like a V&C. Do the case screws match up?

Jeff

[Paraiba]

Jeff,
Thanks for the reply.
The stem of the crown is integral to the movement, and fits in a square socket on the crown. It only has one additional screw at 8 o'clock, that does match not only the case, but a notch in the circular dust cover engraved Jas. Boss Pat(ent)
I know what I paid for this watch, back in '92,
and I am not selling it, so I am as skeptical as you, but if you look at the 40mm movement in Shugart's section on V & C you'll see why I made that wild claim on the origin of the movement.
Any further thoughts?

[Jerry Treiman]

I am pretty sure this is a Vacheron & Constantin movement. The plates have all of the V&C characteristics and finish. I have recorded another early example with a 2S xxxxx serial number. It was a ladies pendant watch marked for Bigelow, Kennard & Co.

[Dr. Jon]

My vote too is for V&C. I have seen several where the serial number is changed. I had once with several extra digits. Mine was signed under the dial and I expect yours is too. On mine the correct serial number was also uner the dial.

V&C made many watches for the US market to fit standard cases

[rrwatch]

I have seen a number of these V&C movements with an extra "S" between the 1st and 2nd digit of the serial number. We do not know what the "S" signifies, but one possiblity is Special, as in having a private label name on the movement. All the "S" movements that I can recall were private label (and sized to fit standard American cases), but most of the US case sized private label movements do not have the "S", so until additional information is uncovered, this is pure speculation.

[Paraiba]

My thanks to Ed, Dr. Jon and Jerry for their interest!
To address Dr. Jon's comment, the same "S" serial number is reproduced under the dial, but no V&C signature. The dial side of the pillar plate, however, is very impressively damaschened, the dial feet are tapped for screws through the plate, and the dial is set with a separate undercut seconds dial. I wish I had taken pics when I had it taken appart.

Paraiba

[mch]

The tapped dial feet are classic V&C.

Mike