Vacheron Constantin - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 1995
    Reference No: 30020/000P
    Movement No: 812'646
    Case No: 634'580
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'', 29 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin double deployant clasp, additional platinum Vacheron Constantin pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and deployant clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Authenticity duplicate made on January 17, 2012 confirming production of the present watch in its current configuration and its subsequent sale on November 17, 1995, additional solid case back, additional Vacheron Constantin platinum pin buckle, fitted wooden presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Sometimes a brand decides to create a watch which embodies the philosophy and ethos of the company, a true statement of intent about what that name means to the industry and what the company wants to achieve in the future. This is precisely the concept behind Vacheron Constantin's reference 30020.

    The importance of this reference is fully understood when examining its case and movement construction. In fact, both of them are directly inspired by a vintage minute repeating reference made in the first half of the past century: reference 4261, now one of the most coveted vintage Vacheron Constantin references. The case is a direct descendant of the 4261 case, defined by the iconic teardrop lugs and the thin, highly elegant overall construction. As a matter of fact, cal. 1755 was at the time of its inception the thinnest minute repeating movement ever made, sporting a remarkable 3.28 mm thickness.

    Its slimness, however, is just one of the fascinating aspects of its movement. It was inspired by the movement construction of reference 4261, and realized following “old school” construction techniques, the ebauches themselves being reconditioned vintage stock.

    200 examples of this calibre were made. The majority of them was cased in reference 30010 (with traditional dial) and reference 30030 (with skeletonized dial). 77 examples, however, were upgraded with the perpetual calendar / moonphases module, and nearly all of them were cased in the present reference 30020. Remarkably, this was the very first time Vacheron Constantin produced a minute repeating wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moonphases. Two repeating vintage pieces with calendar and moon phases are known, but they feature a simple triple calendar.

    Not only the present watch is one of this rarefied series, but it furthermore sports a unique caseback. Reference 30020 was originally delivered with a solid and a glazed caseback. The original platinum solid caseback having been misplaced, the current owner requested Vacheron Constantin to create a new one, at great expense.

    The overall rarity, complexity and beauty of the present Vacheron Constantin minute repeater with perpetual calendar makes it a superb addition to any collection

  • Artist Biography

    Vacheron Constantin

    Swiss • 1755

    The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.

    Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.

    View More Works

187

Ref. 30020/000P
An extremely fine and very rare platinum minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases

1995
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and deployant clasp signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 180,000 
€103,000-154,000
$127,000-191,000

Sold for CHF200,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018