Hello All: I recently aquired an Observatory Chronometer and embarked on a research project to establish some history. What better place than the NAWCC website to record what I learned!
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This Vacheron & Constantin 18k yellow gold keyless pocket chronometer with Guillaume balance was awarded a “Bulletin de Iere Classe aux IIIeme Prix au Concours de Geneve” from the Geneva Observatory and a “Class A Chronometer Certificate” from the Kew Observatory.
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This particular movement, as adjusted by C. Batifolier, was tested from November 16 to December 30, 1912, at the Observatoire de Geneve and scored 733 points out of a possible 1000. This ranking achieved a 3rd Prize classification in the annual Concours. Mr. Batifolier was especially regarded at Vacheron & Constantin after obtaining 1st prize for the manufacturer at the Geneva trials of 1898.
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It was then sent by train to the Kew Observatory and again subject to rigorous testing from January 15 to February 28, 1913. Without a regleur in attendence, it scored 78.7 marks out of 100 and was awarded a Class A Chronometer certificate.
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In 1914, the competition movement and dial were enclosed in a 57mm 18k yellow gold bassine-style case and its awards were proudly engraved on the inner cuvette. It was then offered for private purchase and the new owner added the initials “MHL” to the back cover. I obtained the watch from an American source who could only reveal that it had been in the possession of an Indianapolis family for the past three generations.
The heart of this piece is the 20-ligne gilt brass competition movement, which featured the revolutionary Guillaume balance with gold and platinum poising screws, swan-neck micrometer regulator, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring with double overcoil.
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Charles-Edouard Guillaume was 50 years old when this watch competed with his Anibal composite balance wheel, which he referred to as a Balancier Integral or Integral Balance in English. In 1920, Guillaume received a Nobel Prize for his invention of Invar and Elinvar temperature-stable alloys which further improved timekeeping accuracy. The term “Guillaume balance” was commonly applied to the Integral Balance in recognition of his fame.
Remarkably, the Geneva Observatory can provide copies of the original test documents and a duplicate chronometer certificate (bulletin de marche) for a fee.
View attachment 3531
Kew Observatory records are now kept at the Greenwich Observatory Museum and they will provide copies of the test ledgers for free, but unfortunately cannot reissue certificates.
Best Regards, Dean
View attachment 3524
This Vacheron & Constantin 18k yellow gold keyless pocket chronometer with Guillaume balance was awarded a “Bulletin de Iere Classe aux IIIeme Prix au Concours de Geneve” from the Geneva Observatory and a “Class A Chronometer Certificate” from the Kew Observatory.
View attachment 3525
This particular movement, as adjusted by C. Batifolier, was tested from November 16 to December 30, 1912, at the Observatoire de Geneve and scored 733 points out of a possible 1000. This ranking achieved a 3rd Prize classification in the annual Concours. Mr. Batifolier was especially regarded at Vacheron & Constantin after obtaining 1st prize for the manufacturer at the Geneva trials of 1898.
View attachment 3526 View attachment 3527
It was then sent by train to the Kew Observatory and again subject to rigorous testing from January 15 to February 28, 1913. Without a regleur in attendence, it scored 78.7 marks out of 100 and was awarded a Class A Chronometer certificate.
View attachment 3528 View attachment 3529
In 1914, the competition movement and dial were enclosed in a 57mm 18k yellow gold bassine-style case and its awards were proudly engraved on the inner cuvette. It was then offered for private purchase and the new owner added the initials “MHL” to the back cover. I obtained the watch from an American source who could only reveal that it had been in the possession of an Indianapolis family for the past three generations.
The heart of this piece is the 20-ligne gilt brass competition movement, which featured the revolutionary Guillaume balance with gold and platinum poising screws, swan-neck micrometer regulator, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring with double overcoil.
View attachment 3530
Charles-Edouard Guillaume was 50 years old when this watch competed with his Anibal composite balance wheel, which he referred to as a Balancier Integral or Integral Balance in English. In 1920, Guillaume received a Nobel Prize for his invention of Invar and Elinvar temperature-stable alloys which further improved timekeeping accuracy. The term “Guillaume balance” was commonly applied to the Integral Balance in recognition of his fame.
Remarkably, the Geneva Observatory can provide copies of the original test documents and a duplicate chronometer certificate (bulletin de marche) for a fee.
View attachment 3531
Kew Observatory records are now kept at the Greenwich Observatory Museum and they will provide copies of the test ledgers for free, but unfortunately cannot reissue certificates.
Best Regards, Dean