Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, Nov 13, 2010

LOT 188

Vacheron & Constantin "American Calendar" Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 412569, case No. 257285, Made in 1936. Very elegant and extremely rare, 18K white and pink gold, thin, keyless, Art Deco dress watch with digital triple date calendar.

CHF 18,000 - 24,000

USD 18,000 - 24,000 / EUR 14,000 - 18,000

Sold: CHF 21,250

c. Three-body, two-tone, polished bezel and brushed back, couteau band. D. Matte silver, with Breguet chapter ring at 12, above the linear aperture for day, date and month, subsidiary seconds at 6. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 37 mm (16 ½ ???), fausses cotes decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with 8 adjustments, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 44.8 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The digital watch, better than any other, captured the innovative spirit of Art Deco, in that all superfluous ornaments are eliminated. It is an example of the freedom of vision tied to the purity of line and a new state of mind. The outpouring of new ideas that transformed architecture, fashion, costume, and the life-style of millions of people, left its mark on horology as well. It is true, without a doubt, that the most beautiful and elegant examples come from the Art Deco period. Even the means of reading the hour was revised, as designers and stylists, in search of extreme elegance, replaced hands and dials with small windows through which appeared the hours and minutes. The present watch takes this vision one step further, with the additional complication of the in-line digital calendar.