Today's offering showcases this uncommon and very elegant "ultra thin" platinum pocket watch strongly attributed to Vacheron & Constantin.

Produced circa 1914, this timepiece captures the refinement of La Belle Époque and the final years of Europe’s great prewar elegance—just before the world, and watchmaking itself, would change forever.

Housed in a fairly heavy platinum case bearing the markings of the prestigious Merimont Watch Co. of New York, this piece offers more than just utility or refined style—it serves as a surviving artifact of cross-Atlantic sophisticated luxury at a time when personal timekeeping was undergoing a quiet revolution.

It has the uncommon and pleasing combination of platinum with 18K rose gold accenting the dial and used for all of the hands..

Its extremely high-grade, ultra-thin Vacheron & Constantin.movement is signed Merimont. Despite its extremely thin size, it has eight adjustments - five for chronometer positions and three for heat, cold, and even isochronism. Isochronism is the amount of wind left in the movement. Most watches slow down slightly as their power reserve moves toward empty. That is not the case with this watch - it is very high-grade.

The Merimont Watch Co. name was first registered in 1917 in Geneva, then registered under American Watch Case Co of New York in 1918, and finally registered under vacheron & Constantin in 1928.

An ad in the Jeweler's Circular of May 4, 1921, shows ladies' platinum and diamond bracelet watches, the cases made by American Watch Case Co, and the movements by Merimont Watch Co, with the byline "Every merimont Movement enshrines a century and a half of experience," a reference to the beginnings of vacheron & Constantin in 1775.

The present movement's serial number represents a simple addition of a leading "3" digit as prefix to Vacheron & Constantin's typical serial sequence, and this is consistent with other merimont Watch Co. marked watches we have encountered.

* Geneva’s Finest, Hidden in Plain Sight:
The dial carries a cartouche-like plaque that doesn't bear a retailer's name. Although unsigned on the dial the serial number 377,868 corresponds precisely with Vacheron & Constantin’s documented output in the early 1910s. It was not uncommon for elite American retailers like Merimont to commission unsigned pieces for branding and tax reasons—a practice seen with retailers like Tiffany & Co., Bailey Banks & Biddle, and Cartier.

* A Watch Born into a Shifting World:
When this watch was made, Vacheron & Constantin had already celebrated 150 years of uninterrupted production. Meanwhile, the world teetered unknowingly on the brink of war. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson took office, the Ford Model T was rolling off assembly lines, and the first whispers of wristwatches were beginning to challenge the dominance of the pocket watch.

* Metal Prestige:
Platinum was—and still is—the most exclusive of precious metals, reserved only for a fraction of watch cases produced. Its use here confirms this was no ordinary piece, but one destined for a client of refined and likely affluent taste.

* Merimont Watch Co. – A Hidden Gem in American Horology:
Though lesser known today, Merimont was a high-end retailer based in New York and counted among the elite jewelers of its day. Their commissions were uncommon, often private-label pieces featuring top-tier Swiss movements from houses like Vacheron, Longines, and Patek Philippe. Surviving examples are few and far between, particularly in platinum.

We were fortunate to acquire it with all of its original parts. Its platinum case presents beautifully. The back has light rippling and a pin prick indention near its Art Deco styled rose gold initials. Its dial, which may have had a very high quality refinishing done in vintage times, presents in excellent condition.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled its high-grade ultra thin movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It is keeping very accurate time.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

Pre-WWI platinum Vacheron pieces are very uncommon, and those retailed by American jewelers add a layer of transatlantic intrigue.

From the collection of Ethan Lipsig.

Vacheron & Constantin

As the world's oldest watchmaker, Vacheron & Constantin certainly sets the bar for what constitutes a world-class timepiece. Prized by royalty, heads of state, and prominent public figures, their timepieces rank in the top tier of the most exclusive and expensive in the world.

Since the early 1800's, the elite Swiss firm Vacheron & Constantin has had as it's motto "Do better if possible... and that's always possible."

In contrast to modern Vacheron & Constantin watches that can be purchased at various jewelry boutiques around the world, their vintage pieces are fairly scarce. Vacheron & Constantin's attention to detail and strict quality standards limited their production capacity in the 1930's to only twenty to thirty timepieces per day.

Manufacturer: Vacheron & Constantin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Serial no.: 3,377,868 - Vacheron serial number 377,868
Year built: c. 1914
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subidiary Seconds
Designed for: Men
Case style: Open face
Setting type: Stem set
Case material: Platinum
Case condition: Presents beautifully. The back has light rippling and a pin prick indention near its Art Deco styled rose gold initials.
Bow condition: Excellent
Dial: Silver with 18K rose gold Roman numerals, outer minute track, possibly very well-refinished in vintage times, presents in excellent condition
Hands: 18K rose gold, original, Art Deco styled
Movement type: Extremely high grade keyless pocket chronometer, signed Vacheron & Constantin, rhodium plated, extra flat, 8 adjustments, index regulator
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping very accurate time.
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled its high-grade ultra thin movement down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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