Vacheron Constantin - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII Hong Kong Friday, November 24, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: Circa 2010
    Reference No: 81018/000R-9657
    Movement No: 5’217’691
    Case No: 1’206’749
    Model Name: Historiques Aronde 1954
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1400AS, 20 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Vacheron Constantin pin buckle
    Dimensions: 44.5mm length x 31.2mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Vacheron Constantin guarantee stamped Sincere Watch Malaysia and Geneva seal certificate dated 15th December 2010, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Les Historiques Arondes ref. 81018 is part of Vacheron Constantin’s illustrious line-up of re-imagined Classics, inviting the discerning collector to once again appreciate – now on the wrist – design that has endured the test of time. Paying homage to the original Arondes of 1954, it resurrected the distinctive ‘swallow’s wings’ bezel that characterizes the model. The sculpted bezel imparts an elegant and dynamically curved shape to the case, seamlessly blending with its integral downturned lugs. The use of solid 18k gold further reflects a commitment to doing justice to the original design through superior materials.

    Moving onto the dial, its design reflects the same standard of meticulous attention to detail, featuring a guilloché striated pattern executed on a silvered canvas that evokes a vintage aesthetic, paired with applied hour markers and Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 o’clock. The small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock exhibits a graceful symmetry, balancing function with visual subtlety.

    At the heart lies Vacheron Constantin’s renowned in-house rhodium-plated cal. 1400 - a testament to the technical sophistication and refinement that have characterized their movements since 1755. Features like the flat balance spring and self-compensating balance provide optimizations that ensure chronometric performance and durability, giving it 40 hours of power reserve at full wound.

    Offered in excellent condition, the present pink gold ref. 81018 is the perfect reflection of the firm’s enduring vision and mastery of classical watchmaking forms. Executed with 21st century innovation and virtuosity, the modern Arondes enable a new generation of collectors to appreciate an historically significant design while experiencing technical refinements beyond what was possible in the 1950s.

  • 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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920

Ref. 81018/000R-9657
A fine and attractive pink gold swallow’s wing shaped wristwatch with small seconds, opaline guilloche dial, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 2010
44.5mm length x 31.2mm width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$90,000 - 200,000 
€10,600-23,500
$11,500-25,600

Sold for HK$114,300

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Hong Kong Auction 24-25 November 2023