Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 11, 2012

LOT 158

VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, REF. 4178 CHRONOGRAPH WITH TWO-TONE CHAMPAGNE DIAL, PINK GOLD Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 431316, case No. 271245, Ref. 4178. Made circa 1941. Very fine and rare, 18K pink gold gentleman?s wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer and an 18K yellow gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

USD 16,000 - 22,000 / EUR 12,000 - 17,000

Sold: CHF 32,500

C. Three-body, solid, polished, rounded band, teardrop lugs. D. Two-tone champagne with applied pink gold dot indexes and Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials, outer telemeter graduation, concentric, 1/5th second scale. Pink gold baton hands. M. Cal. 13''', rhodium-plated, fausses-côtes decoration, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The Vacheron Constantin chronograph reference 4178, has to be one of the most attractive chronographs ever produced by the company. An extremely well proportioned design with large and thick fl are lugs contribute to giving it its strong and over-sized look. Combined with the fact that this current example (rarer of course in its pink gold version) has remained in the hands of the original family, its condition is truly amazing for its age. The case and lugs show almost no signs of polish with very strong hallmarks to the case and the inside caseback and even retaining its original engraving of the last three digits of the movement number on the case. The dial in perfect harmony with the rest of the watch, is in close to perfect condition, exhibiting beautiful depth and perfect aging to the two-tone champagne color. Finally, while most usually found with a combination of Roman and dot indexes, this example, never offered at auction before, features the great combination of Arabic and dot markers, contributing to its overall appeal.