The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 817

Ref. 4737, So-Called ?White Cioccolatone? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, ?Automatic?, No. 505636, case No. 343243, Ref. 4737. Made in 1954 in two examples. Extremely fine and exceptionally rare, large, curved, "carré", center-seconds, self-winding, 18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch with white gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box and Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 100,000 - 140,000

EUR 65,000 - 90,000 / USD 80,000 - 110,000

Sold: CHF 146,750

C. Two-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel, rounded lugs, domed thick crystal. D. Satiné silver with applied white gold pyramid and triangular indexes. White gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. P 499, rhodium-plated, ?fausses-côtes? decoration, 21 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws, adjusted to temperatures, shock-absorber, selfcompensating Breguet balance-spring, swan neck micrometer regulator, heavy metal rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 36 x 43 mm. Thickness. 12 mm To be sold without reserve


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch was made in only two examples. The first is in the Vacheron Constantin Museum; the second is the present watch. Ref. 4737 is called ?cioccolatone? by Italian collectors due to its shape. Several variations exist: the selfwinding 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 clearly 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?. The present watch was sold by Antiquorum Geneva, in the ??Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Constantin? sale on 3 April 2005 as lot 130.