製造商: Vacheron Constantin 年份: 1950 型號: 4659 機芯編號: 478'604 錶殼號碼: 319'365 型號名稱: Crab Lugs 材料: 18K yellow gold 機芯: Manual, cal. P453/3C, 17 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Leather 錶扣: Gilt pin buckle 尺寸: 35mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial and movement signed 配件: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1950.
圖錄文章
The two decades stretching between the 1950s and 1960s are an extremely prolific period for watchmaking design. One notices a strong trend toward dials featuring less and less graphic elements in favor of unusual textures, colors and materials. The case design as well follows a similar road with architectures based on - sometimes - very elaborate shapes.
The present watch fully exemplifies this trend in both case and dial. The latter is indeed without virtually any graphic element other than the signature and the second divisions in the subdial. It is however decorated with a very elaborate guilloché decor, long baton, short baton and Arabic numerals in gold, and outer beady minute divisions also in gold. The case features an equally interesting design, most notable for the highly prominent fancy lugs which vaguely resemble a crab claw and give the name to this reference: Crab Lugs.
Offered in remarkable condition, the present piece is a perfect example of 1950s watchmaking design which will not fail to surprise and impress the connoisseur of vintage watches.
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.
