The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 201

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 413336, case No. 306394, Ref. 4414. Made in 1949. Very fine and extremely rare, slim, 18K yellow gold keyless ?World Time? dress watch, finished by Louis Cottier. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

EUR 45,000 - 60,000 / USD 60,000 - 75,000

Sold: CHF 126,500

C. Three-body, solid, ?couteau?, polished with satiné back. D. Matte silvered with applied gold faceted, star, andArabic hours, outer revolving two-tone gray Arabic chapter ring for 24-hour day/night indication, outermost worldtime chapter, bearing the names of 41 global locations. Gold ?bâton? hands. M. Cal. 17???15/12?, rhodium plated,?fausses côtes? decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance witheight adjustments, flat balance spring, index regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 45 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Vacheron Constantin made only a few very small series - of 6 to 7 pierces each - employing the World Time system. The present watxh was finished by the distinguished inventor of the World Time system, Louis Cottier. The "World Time" system It was invented around 1935 by Louis Cottier (1894-1966), the famous independent watch-maker in Geneva. Considered by many to be the most practical and important inventions of modern horology, his "World Time" patents were used by Agassiz and other major manufacturers in the Swiss watch industry, including Patek Philippe, Rolex and Vacheron & Constantin.