The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 1

Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve, No. 499038, case No. 324560, Ref. 4073. Made in 1952. Very fine and rare, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, with a stainless steel Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

EUR 3,300 - 4,500 / USD 4,300 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 8,280

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, concave lugs. D. Silvered with applied gold lapidated indexes and Arabicnumerals, subsidiary seconds. Yellow gold "bâton" hands. M. 12 1/2??? Cal. V453/3B, rhodium-plated, ?fausses-cotes?decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures,shock-absorber, free-sprung balance-spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 33 mm. Thickness: 8.9 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Vacheron Constantin stainless steel wristwatches are rare, the company having tended to produce cases in precious metals - 18K yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, and platinum , and are therefore much sought after by collectors. Cases in 14K gold and in stainless steel have been produced, but very rarely and in a very few examples. Stainless steel was preferred to Staybrite, but the steel has always been resistant to humidity, corrosion and rust.