Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Mar 05, 2009

LOT 396

Ref. 4072, Yellow Gold Chronograph With Pulsometer Scale Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 466813, case No. 344571, Ref. 4072. Made circa 1953, sold Sept. 13, 1955. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register and pulsometer. Accompanied by the certificate of origin and original sales receipt.

USD 18,000 - 22,000

EUR 14,000 - 17,000 / CHF 21,000 - 26,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, concave lugs. D. Satiné silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials, outer seconds and fifths of a second divisions, outermost pulsometer scale. Applied yellow gold Arabic numerals. Yellow gold baton hands. M. Cal. 492, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 19 jewels, straight ine lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws adjusted to temperature, self-compensating Breguet balancespring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness: 12 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

Oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

This reference 4072 has remained in spectacular original condition, still exhibiting a strong hallmark to the lug as well as a two-digit number that matches the case number. Interestingly, the accompanying certificate of origin indicates that the dial should be the more common silvered dial with applied baton indexes and Arabic numerals. However, the watch is fitted with the much rarer dial with pulsometer scale. It is more than likely that after having initially ordered his chronograph, the owner decided that he desired to use his watch at work as a doctor and ordered the pulsometer dial. The original bill of sale, dated 1955, indicates a sale price of $ 319.