1082
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 4178
A rare and highly attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne dial, Arabic numerals, dotted markers and tachymeter scale
Full-Cataloguing
- Iconic Vacheron Constantin chronograph
- Beautiful champagne dial with Arabic numerals and dotted markers
- Rare yellow gold case housing the cal. 434
The Vacheron Constantin ref. 4178 might be how people would portray a vintage chronograph, perhaps, it might be one of the most recognizable chronographs produced by the brand. Released in 1940 and having a production run until 1964, the reference had the collectors coming to an agreement that the timepiece was an icon of Vacheron Constantin in the mid-twentieth century. Throughout the production years, there were many variants of the said model, with different precious metal casings and dial configurations, the reference carried the diversity of the historic brand. The ref. 4178 is instantly recognizable thanks to the inimitable teardrop lugs, and the balanced proportions with near-perfect symmetry grant it to be one of the most elegant chronograph wristwatches ever made.
The present watch in 18K yellow gold is fitted with a champagne coloured dial, beautifully complementing each other. The 12 and 6 hour markers are in Arabic numerals, while the other hour markers are in dots, which gives a clean and simple look without over-crowding the dial. As for the movement of the ref. 4178, in its production run, the watches housed either the cal. 492 or the cal. 434. Research shows that the ref. 4178 housing the cal. 434 in yellow gold was made in very low numbers, only 231 examples, showing the rarity of such configuration. Kept in well-preserved condition, this iconic timepiece of Vacheron Constantin is, for sure, a must-have artefact for vintage chronograph enthusiasts.
Vacheron Constantin
Swiss | 1755The 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.