• circular nickel lever movement, 17 jewels • mother-of-pearl dial depicting a mythical dragon, serpentine hands • the bezel heightened by red enamel stylized Arabic numerals, the sides with geometric motif and basket-weave motif to the lobed corners, the coral crown at 12 o'clock, all surmounted upon a base of coral and onyx • movement signed Vacheron Constantin and Astral, inside of case back signed Verger France and stamped VF within a lozenge for Verger Frères, base signed Charlton & Co., dial signed VM for Vladimir Makovsky

Movement running at time of cataloging, however not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Case overall in excellent preserved condition with very little wear to the corners and edges. The band with some extremely light loss to the definition of the cross hatching detail, the inlaid onyx overall with light surface scratches and some pitting. The enamel numerals to the bezel in excellent condition, the four coral cabochons with some pitting to their undersides (not visible). The dial in excellent condition with light spotting and would benefit from a cleaning. No cracks or loss of material. The movement with light scratches and patina. Please note the present lot contains a species of Coral that may require is CITES and therefore is subject to strict restrictions on international export. The time frame for shipment outside the United States is approximately 6 months to a year.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Vacheron Constantin confirms the manufacture and sale of the movement only in 1926.

Beautifully encapsulating the Art Deco design spirit, the present lot draws inspiration from Chinese mythology and showcases the talents of some of the finest maisons of the era. In the rarefied world of 1920s desk timepieces, small objets d’art take on even greater charm as time-telling instruments. In this example, the case, dial and movement represent the work of some of the most important makers, culminating to create one of the most alluring examples of its type.

The movement is signed by Vacheron Constantin, whose work i🍬s found in some of the most celebrated pieces of this type. In creating these masterpieces, they worked in close collaboration with Verger Frères, a renowned French firm who was known to be the Paris representative of Vacheron Constantin between 1880 and 1930. In this partnership, Vacheron Constantin would create movements, and upon arrival in Paris, Verger Frères would case them in watch and clock cases. Additional items from this collaboration were also retailed in many of the other fine jewelry salons of the era, such as Tiffany & Co., Lacloche Frères, Ostertag, Black, Starr & Frost, and in the present example, Charlton & Co.

These pieces made brilliant use of carved hardstones, favoring Eastern-themed motifs, resembling Buddhist figures or exotic creatures such as elephants, gazelles, parrots and monkeys.  The present example represents the only known of its type to feature a dragon. Indeed, our research has uncovered o🌱nly one other dragon-themed piece by Vacheron Constantin from the era, a square-format pocket watch from 1923, illustrated in Lambelet, C. & Coen, L., The World of Vacheron Constantin, p. 336.

Vacheron Con🗹stantin revisited the dragon theme in𝔍 2009. Upon the opening of their Hong Kong boutique, they offered a very limited series in their vaunted ‘Metiers d’Art’ featuring enameled dragon dials. The modern rendition bears striking similarity to the present example; nearly a century later, the masterpiece is still an inspiration.

The intricately detailed mother-of-pearl dial is the work of Vladimir Makovsky, an artist whose works made frequent reference to the exotic land🌜s and faraway adventures after a lifetime of travels. His creations can be found on pieces made for Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpe🍌ls and Cartier, among others. 

Makovsky is known to have depicted a dragon in at least one other published example. In Hans Nadelhoffer's Cartier, a compact from 1927 is illustr𓄧ated featuring a stylistically very similar dragon, poised somewhat more aggressively than on the present example, on a remarkably similar background. Nadelhoffer notes that this compact was also made by Makovsky. 

In the present example, the figural representation of the dragon is exquisitely rendered. It is breathtaking to see such a juxtaposition of colors and textures in such 💃small format, from the scaled reptilian skin of the dragon, to🐠 the concentric circles and swirls of the clouds. The creature’s outline is traced in gold, glinting against the multicolored background hues.

For additional desk clocks made by Verger Frères for Vacheron Constantin, see Cologni, F., Secrets of Vacheron Constantin, p. 330-1. For pendant watches made by the two firms with chinoiserie motifs, see pages 286 and 302.  See also pieces on view in the summer 2011 exhibition 'Treasuresꦏ of Vacheron Constantin: A Legacy of Watchmaking since 1755', held at the National Museum of Singapore. These pieces are illustrated on pp. 179-181 of the exhibition catalogue.