Rare HS2 Chronometer by Vacheron and Constantin c1940

This is a rare timepiece made by the highly esteemed company of Vacheron and Constantin. The watch is much larger than usual and has a super high quality movement. I have taken a comparison image next to a regular watch which is 50mm wide. Look at the differences on the sub second dial.

It has a military arrow on the dial and was designated an HS2 status which was a numbered hydrographic service code used by the Royal Navy, 1939-1946 to identify the grade of a timepiece. Watches marked HS2 were a chronometer watch adjusted for isochronism in five positions

Movement – the superb nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator and is decorated with damascening. The movement also features wolf teeth winding wheels. The movement is signed “Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve, 439597” and is in 99% mint condition – a superb example

Case – the movement comes in a large silver open face case, which has a hinged inner, back and snap on bezel. The case is signed on the inside of the back cover “Vacheron & Constantin, Swiss”. The back cover is engraved HS2 with a military arrow. The rest of the case has a smooth plain finish and is in 95% mint condition

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve”. The dial is also numbered 9597 and has a military arrow

The dial is in 95% mint condition – a very faint forked hairline in the centre

The watch has a mineral glass

The watch measures 58.5mm wide x 16mm deep

The watch is stem wound / stem set