The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 234

So-called ?Malta? Vacheron & Constantin, Geneve, No. 510262, case No. 343393, Ref. 4716. Made in 1954. Fine and rare, oversized, center-seconds 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with a yellow gold Vacheron Constantin buckle. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 6,000 - 9,000

EUR 4,000 - 6,000 / USD 5,000 - 8,000

Sold: CHF 7,130

C. Three-body, solid, polished, faceted flared lugs, concave bezel. D. Guilloché silver with applied yellow gold dartand Arabic indexes, gold dot minute divisions. Yellow gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 12 1/2??? 454/5B, rhodium-plated,?fausses côtes? decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timingscrews, adjusted to temperatures, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, swan-neckmicrometer regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 38 mm. Thickness: 10 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 14
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

For an identical watch, see lot 19. It is a rare privilege to be able to admire such a large and richly diverse selection of watch cases. This overview, in addition to the tremendous pleasure it affords us, also offers great insight into the evolution of horological design, and in particular that of the lugs and the dial. The next seven lots offer a clear illustration of how, despite its relatively small dimensions, the watch is able to mobilize so many treasures of artistic invention. Giving free reign to their imaginations, inventing innovative forms, and designing dials of extraordinary beauty and creativity, Vacheron Constantin and a few other firms such as Patek Philippe, produced marvels of technical and artistic creativity, and at the same time, consecrated the city of Geneva as the center of haute horlogerie.