Hi, it is quite technical but it is french and this manufacturer still exist at> www.vacheron-constantin.com

In french it reads " Echappement à cylindre 10 trous Vacheron genève" (You can see some pics on google with this word too)

The sentence [URL removed]
6347
Echappemente à Cylindre = escapement a chiming cylinder
10 troux = 10 cloudy

• and/ [URL removed]

The text is “Échappement à cylindres
10 trous
Vacheron – Genève”

The first sentence is the technical part. It is a technical particularity of this type of watch (in french this kind of watch is called “montre à gousset”)

The second sentence can be translated as “10 holes”

The third sentence is the manufacturer which is “Vacheron” (Vacheron Constantin) and then the city “Geneve” (Switzerland, where it has been made)….bye bye Monty

It’s in French. Echappement a Cylindre means “cylinder escapement”. I know an escapement is a watch part but you’ll have to ask a watch expert to explain how a cylinder one is special. Same with “trou” which means “hole”. Not sure what the significance of that is.

Vacheron would be the watchmaker and Geneve is Geneva, Switzerland.

One thing that concerns me is that some of those letters seem to be added (like the “e” at the end of “Enchappemente” and the “s” at the end of “trou”. It looks like it may have said “1 trou” or “one hole” and someone changed it to say “10 trous” or “10 holes”.

It’s all been said, Paula!
But thank you for your trust ;)

Vacheron Geneve seems to be a company name, Vacheron in Geneva, Switzerland. [URL removed] reveals “Vacheron Constantin holds the title of the oldest and longest lasting Swiss watch manufacturer, the year 2005 marked its 250th anniversary. The company’s history begins in 1755 when Jean-Marc Vacheron opened his workshop in Geneva. Since then the company has often been courted by Royalty and favored among watch connoisseurs as one of the top Swiss watch manufacturers. Many people consider preowned Vacheron Constantin watches, used Vacheron Constantin watches & second hand Vacheron Constantin watches all the same, but a Gray & Sons Vacheron Constantin watch is something different altogether. All our watches are serviced and polished to like new condition and come with our one year warranty and Like New for Life policy. Our after sales service commitment is second to none in the world. Check out our selection of fine refurbished & reconditioned Vacheron Constantin watches.” I can’t figure out what the “10” thingys are, I tried troub and trous. And 6347 would be a serial number for the watch. The writing under it I can’t figure out either except for the cylindre is a cylinder of course. Would love to see the front!!!

I wondered if it was French writing, as there is either German or French spoken in Austria. My little bit of knowledge about watches, gleaned from Antiques Roadshow mostly, is that watches have “jewels” which has something to do with how they perform. One will hear that a watch has XX amount of jewels. But 10 holes, makes no sense as far as watches go, it must be a “loose” translation that means something more. This is fun, I am enjoying the challenge!

ask Johanna of europeangoodies

Thank you all kindly for your answers! I know the watch is in ill repair, very dirty and the enamel face is cracked and flaked. The case is lovely tho. We may be taking it to a jeweler to find out what type of works are inside. After reading the answers here I realized that I have a book on watches and did look up this maker. Seems there are different mechanisms and that is one of the things that would determine value.

Thank you Paula for recommending Johanna, I was hoping she would pop in when I posted this. I see tho that we have many who can untangle this sort of thing!

Thank you Johanna for popping in and verifying what has been said!

Such a wonderful, helpful bunch on here!

Thank you! Will be posting more pics and will let you know what more, if anything, I learn.