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47

Vacheron Constantin

Ref. 6440Q

"Cioccolatone"

An elegant and avant-garde yellow gold wristwatch with date and bracelet

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From the 1950s into the 1960s, Vacheron Constantin experimented with the case architecture, focusing on bold, biomorphic shapes. No part of the case – the lugs, the bezel – was off-limits in their search to innovate and disrupt the status quo of how a watch should be formed. From this experimental spirit was born the flared, wing-like lugs of the Chronomètre Royale, the exaggerated “Cornes de Vache”, and most audacious of all, the “Cioccolatone”: an oversized, rounded-yet-square shaped wristwatch, with three layers squares almost melting atop one another. The dial’s baton indexes contrast against the smooth and sensuous lines of the case to winning effect.

The present timepiece is the successor to the reference 4737, now the reference 6440, introduced in 1957. The refreshed reference featured the automatic caliber K1071, possessing the capability to feature or not feature a date.

The present examples is set apart thanks to its original Vacheron Constantin signed bracelet making it one a very few number to have been made in this configuration.

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.

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