Vacheron Constantin - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Condition Report

  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 1967
    Reference No: 6694
    Movement No: 588'009
    Case No: 411'650
    Model Name: "Batman"
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. K1072/1, 29 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin Gay Frères bracelet, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin buckle stamped 67
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet
    Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1967.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Chronomètre Royal was originally launched in 1907 as a family of high precision pocket watches and produced in wristwatch form beginning in 1953. The Chronomètre Royal reference 6694 was introduced in 1962, and housed Vacheron Constantin’s first automatic caliber with chronometer certification – the caliber 1072, featuring a chronometric balance and the rotor mounted on ruby ball bearings. Collectors often refer to reference 6694 as “the Batman” due to its wide and dramatic wing-shaped lugs that are instantly recognizable.
    The present example is a very rare specimen preserved in impressive condition. Not only does it retain all its original textured finishes, it was even delivered with its original and lavish textured Vacheron Constantin Gay Frères white gold bracelet, which is particularly collectible today.

    The finish throughout the bracelet and case is extremely fine and a testament to Vacheron’s commitment to craftsmanship and elegance. The brick-style bracelet is taut, showing this piece was hardly ever worn and was treated with the utmost care by previous owners. The finely cross-hatched pattern on the case and bracelet is a traditional Florentine technique, still used today in haute horlogerie and haute joaillerie. Typically, it is done by hand with a hard-tipped tool (today, a diamond-tipped hammer is used), repeatedly beaten into the metal to achieve the directional texture visible throughout. A series of parallel lines are engraved bidirectionally, giving the metal a matte, almost three-dimensional appearance. The dial possesses a softly radiating silver sunburst appearance, with the Maltese Cross inset with a diamond below the 12 o’clock hour marker.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 6694
A highly attractive and well-preserved white gold wristwatch with center seconds, textured case, chronometer movement and bracelet

1967
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet

Estimate
CHF8,000 - 12,000 
€8,200-12,300
$8,700-13,100

Place Advance Bid
Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024