The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 702

Ref. 4737, So-Called ?Yellow Cioccolatone? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 506118, case No. 343309, Ref. 4737. Made in 1953. Very fine and rare, large, square, center-seconds, self-winding, 18K yellow gold gentleman?s wristwatch with an 18K yellow gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box and a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 25,000 - 35,000

EUR 16,000 - 22,000 / USD 19,000 - 27,000

Sold: CHF 35,400

C. Two-body, curved, solid, polished, stepped bezel, rounded lugs, thick domed crystal. D. Matte gilt with applied yellow gold pyramidal and triangular indexes. Yellow gold "Bâton" hands. M. Cal. 12??? 499 aut., rhodium-plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 21 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws, adjusted to temperatures, shockabsorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 35 x 43 mm. Thickness. 12 mm. To be sold without reserve


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-28-01

Good

Replacements

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 4737 is called ?cioccolatone? by Italian collectors due to its shape. Several variations exist: the self-winding Ref. 4764 with calendar and moon phases; Ref. 6440 with center seconds; Ref. 6440Q, with date. These models are the most admired and sought-after wristwatches of the 1950s. Vacheron Constantin, always innovative, was ahead of its time in offering a model so unusual in size and shape. Particularly pleasing was the rounded outline of the case, with its superimposed ?levels?. At the time, it was made in yellow gold, more rarely in pink gold, and only two examples in white gold. It was reintroduced as of 2003 with a guilloché dial and a platinum case and was launched under the name ?Toledo?.