Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1997 Reference No: 47101/04 Movement No: 863'674 Case No: 680’619 Model Name: Chronographe Historique Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 1140CHR, 21 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied By Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1997.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 47101 from the brand’s “Historiques” collection is most certainly THE chronograph which symbolises best the modern Vacheron Constantin chronograph in the eyes of aficionados and collectors. It became an instant classic and a modern reinterpretation of the ref 4178.
Launched in the early 1990s it remained in the brand’s catalogue until 2004. This reference evolved into ref 47111 in 1999 when a screwed back was added and certain modifications made to the movement. The calibre housed in this reference is no other than the Lemania based cal. 1140/1141 lauded as being one of the best manual wind chronograph movements of its epoch. The ref 47101 / 47111 was made in yellow gold, platinum (with an extra rare version with guilloche salmon dial) as well as a 25 piece limited edition in platinum with black dial made for the Taiwanese market.
The present example in yellow gold with a bombastic black guilloché dial combines the suave elegance of its vintage inspired design with the contemporary coolness of its implementation.
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.