Important Collectors’ Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Oct 14, 2007

LOT 517

?Papillon? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 485526, case No. 334130. Made circa 1955. Very fine and rare, rectangular, flared, 18K yellow gold wristwatch.

CHF 11,000 - 13,000

EUR 6,700 - 8,000 / USD 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 17,700

C. Two-body, solid, polished, flared and undercut sides, domed crystal. D. Guilloché silver with applied yellow gold pyramidal and baton indexes, subsidiary seconds dial. Yellow gold "baton" hands. M. Cal. 11??? 435/3C, tonneau-shaped, rhodium-plated, ?fausses côtes? decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws, adjusted to temperatures, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 27 x 38 mm. Thickness: 9 mm. From ?The Collection?


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-7-01

Good

Oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch is a perfect illustration of the influence of American automobile design on the decorative arts, including watches and other industrial objects, during the 1950s. Watch design followed automobile design, both in spirit and in actual fact. Numerous watches by Vacheron & Constantin and Patek Philippe bear testimony to this trend.