Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 338

Vacheron & Constantin ? The Unique Single-Handed Dress Watch with Diamond Dial ? The Only Watch with Single-Hand ever Made by Vacheron & Constantin Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve, movement No. 417554, case No. 314882, Ref. 4582. Sold to H. Thommeu, Bruxelles on February 7, 1950 for 2640 Francs. Exceptional, extremely fine and unique, large, 20K yellow gold, keyless dress watch with single hand and special champleve enamel and diamond-set dial. Accompanied by the original Vacheron & Constantin fitted box and copy of the Vacheron work ledger.

C. Three-body, bassine pincee, polished, the back with royal blue champleve enamel "C" and engraved "Encore un Instant et Tous T?Auront Oublié, Encore un Instant et Tu Auras Tout Oublié" hinged U-shaped bow, winding crown set with a cabochon sapphire. D. Brushed silver with royal blue champleve enamel chapter ring, brilliant-cut diamond-set hour indexes and baguette diamond quarter-hour indexes in platinum settings, inner engraved indexes and painted 10-minute divisions, inscribed "Utere Non Reditura". Single gold epee hand with ruby jewel center. M. Cal. 17??? ultra thin, rhodium plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 54 mm.