The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 241

?Prestige de la France? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No.660327, case No. 534805, Ref. 15207, III series 091. Made in 1978 to mark the occasion of Vacheron Constantin receiving the ?Prestige de la France? award on 23 June 1972. Fine, asymmetric and curved, 18K yellow gold lady?s wristwatch with black dial. Accompanied by an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin buckle and a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,600 - 4,000 / USD 3,400 - 5,000

Sold: CHF 6,900

C. Two-body, solid, polished, case back engraved "Prestige de la France", hooded lugs, black onyx cabochonwinding crown. D. Matte black, applied yellow gold ?bâton? indexes. Yellow gold ?bâton? hands.M. Cal. 7??? K 1050/B, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 20 jewels, lateral lever escapement,free-sprung Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, self-compensatinglat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 18 x 37 mm. Thickness: 7 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3 - 14
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?.