The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 240

?Prestige de la France? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 623059, case No. 481904, Ref. 2091, No. 076. Made in 1972 to mark the occasion of Vacheron Constantin receiving the ?Prestige de la France? award on 23 June 1972. Fine and rare, asymmetric and curved, 18K yellow gold gentleman?s wristwatch. Accompanied by an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin buckle and a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

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

Sold: CHF 9,775

C. Two-body, solid, polished, case back engraved "Prestige de la France", hooded lugs. D. Matte white, batonindexes and radial Roman numerals. Blued steel ?feuille? hands. M. Cal. 7??? 1050/3, rhodium-plated, "faussescôtes" decoration, 20 jewels, lateral lever escapement, free-sprung Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold,isochronism and five positions, self-compensating flat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 21 x 46 mm. Thickness: 7 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3* A
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Prestige de la France Vacheron Constantin has always had a close relationship with France, particularly during the Art Deco period and the remarkable and prolific collaboration with Verger Frères. These ties grew even stronger during the 1970s, as Vacheron Constantin was awarded the ?Prestige de la France? on June 23, 1972. During a reception at Paris' Ritz Hotel attended by Mr. François-Xavier Ortoli, the Minister of ?Développement industriel et scientifique?, the ?Prestige de la France? diploma was awarded to Mr Jaques Ketterer, Président-Directeur general of Vacheron Constantin by M. Louis W. Christaens, President of the ?Comité de prestige et de propagande nationale?, The collection of curved and asymmetrical watches that became known as the ?Prestige de la France? collection was given the supreme privilege of being allowed to engrave the emblem of the association - a laurel-leaf crown surrounding the words ?prestige de la France? - on the watch cover. This creation of Vacheron Constantin's Paris bureau is one of the few truly memorable creations of the 1970s, a period which was less rich in noteworthy designs than others. In 1999, Vacheron Constantin re-offered the collection, naming it ?1972?.