43,700 CHF
“Yellow Cioccolatone” Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 506118, case No. 343309, Ref. 4737. Made in 1953. Very fine and rare, large, square, center-seconds, self-winding, 18K yellow gold gentleman’s wristwatch with an 18K yellow gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box and a Certificate of Authenticity. Two-body, curved, solid, polished, stepped bezel, rounded lugs, thick domed crystal. Matte gilt with appliedyellow gold pyramidal and triangular indexes. Yellow gold "Bâton" hands. Cal. 12’’’ 499 aut., rhodium-plated,"fausses-côtes" decoration, 21 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium balance with timing screws,adjusted to temperatures, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, swan-neck micrometerregulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 35 x 43 mm. Thickness: 12 mm. Notes Ref. 4737 is called “cioccolatone” by Italian collectors due to its shape. Several variatons exist, manual winding, Ref. 4822, the self-winding Ref. 4764 and 6440 with calendar and moon phases; Ref. 6440 with center seconds; Ref. 6440Q, with date. These models are the most admired and sought-after wristwatches of the 1950s. Vacheron Constantin, always innovative, was clearly ahead of its time in offering a model so unusual in size and shape. Particularly pleasing was the rounded outline of the case, with its superimposed “levels”. At the time, it was made in yellow gold, more rarely in pink gold, and only two examples in white gold.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-04-03
