Vacheron Constantin - The Geneva Watch Auction: XX Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 1945
    Reference No: 4178
    Movement No: 446’245
    Case No: 288'891
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 434, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1945

  • Catalogue Essay

    Many vintage (and modern) Vacheron Constantin creations are recognisable for the distinctive “fancy” lugs style. From the famous “Cornes de Vache” to the present half-teardrop design, the company has always managed to fuse elegance and flamboyance in an inimitable manner. This watch is a superbly preserved example of such ineffable designs which exemplifies that over the course of about 70 years their appeal has not waned a bit, if anything it has grown.

    The present creation is a masterpiece from the mid-20th century, notable not only for its pink gold case, but furthermore for its ton-sur-ton salmon dial bearing a superbly preserved two-tone finish and, incredibly, a pulsometer scale. While the most common scale found on vintage chronographs is the tachymeter, other scales have been employed in watchmaking (telemeter scale, tide indication scale, units-per-minute scale, asthmometer and so forth). The present pulsometer scale gives out the pulse of the patient after counting 30 heartbeats - a longer measurement than the usually seen 15 pulsations which increases the accuracy of the reading.

  • 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. 4178
An extremely attractive, scarce and well-preserved pink gold chronograph wristwatch with two-tone pink dial and pulsometer scale

1945
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€26,600-53,200
$29,100-58,100

Sold for CHF76,200

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

tto@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XX

Geneva Auction 9 - 10 November 2024