889Σ︎
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 30020/000P
Patrimony
An extremely well preserved, very rare and important platinum minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with teardrop lugs, moon phases, leap year indication, additional engraved caseback, Certificate of Origin and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Fresh to the market from the original owner
- 12th known platinum example to grace an international auction
- Merely 200 cal. 1755 were made and it was the thinnest minute repeating movement during its era
- 77 examples of the 200 were upgraded with the perpetual calendar module
- Accompanied by its Certificate of Origin, additional engraved caseback and box
One of the most important models ever produced by Vacheron Constantin, reference 30020 is not only a pleasure for the eye, but an important horological specimen. 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, defined by iconic teardrop lugs and a thin, highly elegant overall profile. At the time of its inception, cal. 1755 was the thinnest minute repeating movement ever made, sporting a remarkable 3.28mm thickness.
First introduced in 1992, cal. 1755 was limited to just 200 total movement blanks. The majority were cased in reference 30010 (featuring a traditional time-only dial) and reference 30030 (with a skeletonized dial). However, 77 examples were upgraded with a perpetual calendar and moon phases module, nearly all of which were cased in the present reference 30020. Remarkably, this marked the first time Vacheron Constantin ever produced a minute repeating wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases—prior vintage repeating pieces with calendars featured only simple triple calendar layouts.
Over the years, only 11 examples of reference 30020 in platinum have appeared on the international auction market, making this fresh-to-the-market timepiece the 12th known example. Kept securely in a safe for over 30 years, it is accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin, additional engraved caseback and presentation box, offering a rare opportunity for connoisseurs of grand complications.
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.