The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 235

?Medical Chronograph? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 466810, case No. 344568, Ref. 4072. Made in 1954. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, pulsometer and two-tone dial, and a yellow gold Vacheron Constantin buckle. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 20,000 - 25,000 / USD 25,000 - 35,000

Sold: CHF 46,000

C. Three-body, polished, chamfered bezel, concave lugs. D. Two-tone silver with applied gold dart indexes andRoman numerals, subsidiary seconds, 30-minute register, outer fifth second timing scale outermost pulsometerscale. Yellow gold "baton" hands. M. Cal. 13??? 492, rhodium plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 19 jewels,straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring,index regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm. Thickness: 11 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

This chronograph was one of Vacheron Constantin?s greatest successes. It was offered with various types of dial during the two decades of its production, though the classic lines of its case remained unchanged. 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.