“King Fouad”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève,
No. 402833, case No. 251058. Presented to King Fouad I of Egypt, by the Swiss expatriate community in 1929.
Exceptionally fine, highly important, unique, large 18K yellow gold and enamel, keyless, astronomical carillon trip minute-repeating, “grand” and “petite sonnerie” two-train clockwatch with split-seconds chronograph, 30-minute register, perpetual calendar and phases and
age of the moon.

Estimate: * * *

THE QUARTER MILLENNIUM
OF VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Geneva, April 3rd
This year’s thematic sale is devoted to an important event in the world of horology: the 250th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin.
The firm is exceptional both from the collector’s point of view and a larger historical perspective, for all the pieces it produced, beginning with the first watch made by Jean Marc Vacheron back in 1755 to those made today. All have been carefully described in the firm’s registers, and in most cases, one finds, scrupulously noted, the production costs, as well as the names of the various skilled artisans who took part in the creation of the piece.
We at Antiquorum wish to contribute in our own way to the quarter-millennium celebrations of Vacheron Constantin, by dedicating a highly important thematic sale to the company. In so doing, we are promoting knowledge and appreciation of the firm by bringing to the attention of the public and connoisseurs of fine horology exceptional watches, documents, drawings, and other pieces. All have been specially chosen for the occasion, and will highlight the firm’s importance as one of the select renowned Swiss manufacturers.
For a horological historian such as myself, this is absolutely an occasion not to be missed. To browse through documents and patents, to reread the letters that Francois Constantin wrote while on this business travels far and wide, to admire the original renderings for the decorative motifs that would adorn the watches, to linger over the sketches of mechanisms that would become timepieces, carried out by such noted geniuses as Georges-Auguste Leschot – this is nirvana for the watch expert!!
The most touching and impressive point that I hope this event will communicate is the profound human side of this manufacturer which has marked its every endeavor, from its founding until the present day. It can truly be said that the company was founded and progressed thanks to the talent and dedication of men who were invested, not just with a business objective, but with a mission.
Even today the firm’s desire to constantly surpass itself is clear. François Constantin’s well-known motto expresses the company’s philosophy. It proclaims the passion of Vacheron Constantin’s founders, the enthusiasm of those who followed, and the dedication and art of those who maintain the firm’s reputation in today’s changing world:
“Do better if possible… which is always possible”.
The pieces shown in this VOX have been selected with an eye toward illustrating some of the most fascinating features of the company’s production. A sort of preview of the auction catalogue, showcasing the watches’ beauty, as well as the creativity and finesse of a firm that, in my opinion, has sometimes been under-appreciated by collectors. Indeed, Vacheron Constantin, perhaps the most “Swiss” of all watch firms, has always brought a touch of typically French elegance to its creations.
An excerpt from the archives, detailing the firm’s daily activities in the year 1806.
Worldwide Exhibitions
NeW York
Tourneau TimeMachine
Thursday, February 24
& Friday, February 25:
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
& Saturday, February 26:
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

TOKYO
Modapolitica
Friday, March 4
to Saturday, March 5:
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Taiwan
Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei
Thursday, March 10
& Friday, March 11:
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
& Saturday, March 12:
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

HONG KONG
Ritz Carlton Hotel
Thursday, March 17
to Saturday, March 19:
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Milan
Museo di Milano
Wednesday, March 23
to Thursday, March 24:
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

GENEVA
Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhône
Tuesday, March 29
to Saturday, April 2:
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
& Sunday, April 3:
from 10:00 a.m.
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 24814. Made in 1825. Very rare and fine silver pocket watch
with alarm.

Estimate:

SFr. 6,000 - 8,000
(US$. 5,000 - 7,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 24930.
Made in 1827. Fine and rare 18K pink gold
jump hour watch with date.

Estimate:

SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 56896.
Made in 1848. Fine and rare 18K gold and painted on enamel
fob watch with matching fob and brooch.

Estimate: SFr. 8,000 - 10,000
(US$. 7,000 - 9,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, Veuve. C. Vacheron & Cie,
Successeur, No. 131237. Made in 1871.
Fine and rare 18K varicolored gold and painted on enamel
keyless fob watch with matching fob.

Estimate: SFr. 8,000 - 10,000
(US$. 7,000 - 9,000)

"The Altar of Love"
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 368871, case No. 229848.
Made in 1915. Very fine and extremely rare, Art Deco,
octagonal, platinum and diamond lady's concealed-dial wristwatch
with hardstone cameo.

Estimate: SFr. 10,000 - 12,000
(US$. 9,000 - 11,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 370774,
case No. 230065. Made in 1916.Very fine,
Art Deco, tonneau-shaped, enamel, platinum
and diamond lady's wristwatch.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 392589, case No. 242850. Made in 1921. Very fine and rare, curved, tonneau-shaped, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch. Accompinaied by an 18K woven yellow
gold bracelet.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 377409, case No. 233687. Made in 1921. Very fine and rare, curved, lozenge-shaped, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch. Accompanied by an 18K gold bracelet.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

“The Griffon”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 365590, case No. 226593. Made in 1913. Very fine and equally rare square 18K gold and black champlevé enamel, keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 394040, case by
Verger Frères, No. 7620. Made in 1923. Retailed by La Esmeralda. Elegant and rare, square, Art Deco, 18K yellow gold and polychrome enamel, keyless dress watch. Accompanied by fitted box and certificate.
Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000 (US$. 13,000 - 17,000)
“The Smoker”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 494502, case No. 381516, Ref. 4118/6993, enamel by Ch. Poluzzi. Made in 1964.
Very fine and rare 18K yellow gold and painted on enamel keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000
(US$. 26,000 - 35,000)

“Lovers’ Embrace” after Fragonard
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 440280, case
No. 299055, enamel by LM (Marthe Leclerc). Made in 1947.
Very fine and rare 18K yellow gold and painted on enamel
keyless dress watch.
Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000 (US$. 26,000 - 35,000)
So called “American”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 394192, case No. 245206. Made in 1921. Very fine, rare and unusual, cushion-shaped, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with movement and dial diagonally set in the case for a right-handed wearer.

Estimate: SFr. 10,000 - 15,000
(US$. 9,000 - 13,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 407133, case No. 253300. Made in 1928. Very fine and rare, curved, tonneau-shaped, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch.

Estimate: SFr. 10,000 - 15,000
(US$. 9,000 - 13,000)

“Alexander I Karadjorgevic”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 413932, case No. 254557. Made in 1929. Very fine and rare, rectangular 18K yellow gold and platinum gentleman’s wristwatch with hinged lugs.

Estimate: SFr. 20,000 - 30,000
(US$. 17,000 - 26,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 413932, case No. 254557. Made in 1929. Very fine and rare, hexagonal-shaped, faceted, platinum gentleman's wristwatch

Estimate: SFr. 20,000 - 30,000
(US$. 17,000 - 26,000)

“Tropical Landscape”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 459590, case No. 302384. Manufactured and sold in 1947.
Very fine and extremely rare, center-seconds,
18K pink gold gentleman’s wristwatch with "cloisonné" enamel dial.

Estimate: SFr. 100,000 - 120,000
(US$. 85,000 - 100,000)

“Geneva from Le Bois de la Bâtie” after Jean Dubois
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 439827, case No. 296122. Made in 1941. Very fine and rare 18K yellow gold keyless dress watch with painted on enamel by Halen Mai-Mercier.

Estimate: SFr. 20,000 - 30,000
(US$. 17,000 - 26,000)

“Lapis Lazuli”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève,
No. 402866, case by Verger Frères. Made in 1927. Elegant and unique 18K gold and enamel, square Art Deco keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

“Samurai”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève,
No. 347673, case by Verger Frères. Made in 1909. Retailed by Charlton & Co. Elegant and rare square Art Deco, 18K gold, green, black and white lacquer, keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 15,000 - 20,000
(US$. 13,000 - 17,000)

“Chinoiserie”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève,
No. 391677, case by Verger Frères. Made in 1927. Elegant and rare, Art Deco, 18K gold, red and black lacquer, square keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 20,000 - 25,000
(US$. 17,000 - 22,000)

The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Constantin

Geneva, April 3rd

“Nekhbet”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 402192, case No. 244702. Made in 1923. Elegant and unique
Art Deco 18K gold and enamel, keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 7,000 - 9,000
(US$. 6,000 - 8,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 398613,
case No. 248722. Made in 1924. Retailed by
J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Very fine and rare, Art Deco, rectangular, platinum, yellow gold and enamel gentleman's wristwatch.

Estimate: SFr. 40,000 - 60,000
(US$. 35,000 - 50,000)

"Blue Inro"
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, retailed
by Lacloche, case by Verger Frères. No. 9789.
Made in 1925. Very fine and rare gold, diamond, enamel, pearl, onyx and coral Art Deco
Inro-form pendant watch.

Estimate: SFr. 25,000 - 35,000
(US$. 22,000 - 30,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 401557,
case by Verger Frères. Made in 1925.
Very fine and rare platinum and black lacquered, diamond, pearl and black onyx-set Art Deco lapel watch.

Estimate: SFr. 25,000 - 35,000
(US$. 22,000 - 30,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 413680, Verger Frères. Made in 1930. Fine and rare rectangular 18K gold, enamel and jade-set Art Deco keyless purse and desk watch.

Estimate: SFr. 8,000 - 12,000
(US$. 7,000 - 10,000)

“Montre de sac à volets”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 407711, Verger Frères. Made in 1928. Retailed by Brooking. Very fine and rare, rectangular, keyless, 18K yellow and white gold purse and desk watch.

Estimate: SFr. 6,000 - 8,000
(US$. 5,000 - 7,000)


“Montre de sac à volets”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 406787, Verger Frères. Made in 1928. Retailed by Bourdier, Paris. Very fine and rare, rectangular, keyless, 18K yellow and white gold purse and desk watch.

Estimate: SFr. 6,000 - 8,000
(US$. 5,000 - 7,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 511624,
case No. 360509, Ref. 6526. Made in six examples in 1952. Very fine and rare 18K gold, astronomical, keyless, minute-repeating dress watch with perpetual calendar, phases and age of the moon, split-seconds chronograph and progressive 30-minute register.

Estimate: SFr. 200,000 - 250,000
(US$. 175,000 - 220,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 521475,
case No. 342391, Ref. 6013. Made in 1955.
Very fine and rare, thin, astronomic, keyless, 18K yellow gold dress watch with perpetual calendar and phases and age of the moon.

Estimate: SFr. 40,000 - 60,000
(US$. 35,000 - 50,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 413336, case No. 306394, Ref. 4414. Made in 1949.
Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold keyless
“World Time” dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 50,000 - 60,000
(US$. 45,000 - 52,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 416360, case No. 298210, Ref. 4414. Made in 1946.
Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold keyless,
“World Time” dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 50,000 - 60,000
(US$. 45,000 - 52,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 501912,
case No. 328065, Ref. 4261. Made in 1951.
Extremely fine, large, extra-flat,
minute-repeating, platinum and diamond
gentleman's wristwatch, made in only two examples.

Estimate: SFr. 250,000 - 300,000
(US$. 220,000 - 260,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 485473,
case No. 334144, Ref. 4775. Made in 1953.
Very fine and very rare, rectangular, flared, platinum and diamond gentleman's wristwatch.

Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000
(US$. 25,000 - 35,000

Hermès
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 414101, case No. 257328. Made in 1930 and retailed by Hermès, Paris. Very fine, rare and important rectangular, astronomic 18K white gold gentleman’s wristwatch with triple calendar and moon phases.

Estimate: SFr. 300,000 - 350,000
(US$. 260,000 - 300,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 404161,
case No. 251636. Made in 1926.
Fine and rare, 18K white and yellow gold jump hour, wandering minute, keyless, Art Deco dress watch with day-date calendar.

Estimate: SFr. 25,000 - 35,000
(US$. 22,000 - 30,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 411755,
case No. 255960. Made in 1930.
Fine and rare, Art Deco, 18K white and yellow gold jump hour, wandering minute, keyless dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 20,000 - 30,000
(US$. 17,000 - 25,000)

“Bras-en-l'Air”
Vacheron & Constantin, No. 412691, case by Verger Frères. Made in 1930. Retailed by Charlton & Co. Very fine and rare 18K white and yellow gold, Art-Deco keyless
"bras-en-l'air" dress watch.

Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000
(US$. 25,000 - 35,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 442297,
case No. 276209, Ref. 4261. Made in 1943.
Very fine, rare and important, minute-repeating,
18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch.

Estimate: SFr. 250,000 - 300,000
(US$. 210,000 - 260,000)

"White Cioccolatone"
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 506230, case No. 343249,
Ref. 4737. Made in 1954,
in two examples.
Exstremely fine and exceptionally rare, large, curved, “carré galbé”, center-seconds, self-winding, 18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch.

Estimate: ***

"Cioccolatone"
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 463729, case No. 324177, Ref. 4764. Made in 1952.
Very fine and extremely rare, large, astronomic,
"carré galbé", 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with triple calendar and moon phases.

Estimate: SFr. 70,000 - 90,000
(US$. 60,000 - 80,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 568459, case No. 382598, Ref. 6575. Made in 1962.
Very fine, keyless, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold pocket watch.

Estimate: SFr. 12,000 - 16,000
(US$. 10,000 - 14,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 352060, case No. 219307. Made in 1911.
Very fine and rare 18K gold keyless, hunting-cased, minute-repeating watch with chronograph
and instantaneous 30-minute register.

Estimate: SFr. 18,000 - 22,000
(US$. 16,000 - 19,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 466802, case No. 381969,
Ref. 4072. Made in 1962.
Very fine and rare, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer and telemeter.

Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000
(US$. 26,000 - 35,000)

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 470023,
case No. 351606, Ref. 6087, made in 1957. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch with round button chronograph, register and telemeter, made in only 8 examples.

Estimate: SFr. 150,000 - 200,000
(US$. 130,000 - 175,000)

“Three-tone dial”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 422606, case No. 262237,
Ref. 4072. Made in 1940.
Very fine and very rare, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with square button chronograph, register and tachometer, and three-tone dial. >>

Estimate: SFr. 30,000 - 40,000
(US$. 26,000 - 35,000)

“Medical Chronograph”
Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 437449,
case No. 279252, Ref. 4072. Made in 1943.
Very fine and very rare, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer, pulsometer and asthmometer.

Estimate: SFr. 40,000 - 50,000
(US$. 35,000 - 45,000)

“Saint Gervais”

This unique piece, with black dial, numbered and dated, is specially made by Vacheron Constantin for this event. The dial of this watch is exclusive to this piece and will never be reproduced in any similar watch.

“Saint Gervais” is named after Geneva’s traditional watchmaking quarter, home to Vacheron Constantin’s historic headquarters.

It is a limited edition of 55 examples, made in platinum 950 and individually numbered. The present watch, with a black dial, bears the number 1.

An exceptional wristwatch with 250-hour power reserve (more than ten days), visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, perpetual calendar, and up and down indication.

The three-part case is round, 44 mm in diameter, with 13.5 mm thickness; it is water-resistant to 30 meters. The black 18K gold dial is hand engine-turned (250th Anniversary decoration) and bears the Geneva Quality Hallmark; it has applied white gold bâton indexes and gold “éventail” hands.
It features three subsidiary dials for the day of the week, the date, and the month, as well as an aperture for the leap year and the visible tourbillon.
Movement: cal.2250 manually wound, 250-hour power reserve, 33 jewels, one-minute tourbillon regulator, lever escapement, balance with gold timing screws, 18,000 vibrations/hour, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.

Estimate: * * *

“Métiers d’Art”

An exceptional wristwatch with wandering-hour, day, and date, with a painted on enamel dial depicting Apollo’s chariot.

This set of 4 watches is part of a commemorative edition of 48 timepieces (12 sets of four, representing the four seasons) especially manufactured for the 250th Anniversary of Vacheron Constantin. The precious metals used for this edition are:
- Platinum, representing winter, with two-part white gold dial enameled with winter colors, set with 55 brilliant-cut diamonds, round platinum case;
- 18K White Gold, representing spring, with two-part white gold dial enameled with spring colors, round white gold case;
- 18K Yellow Gold, representing summer, with two-part yellow gold dial enameled with summer colors, round yellow gold case;

- 18K Pink Gold, representing autumn, with two-part gold dial enameled with autumn colors, round pink gold case.
Each watch is individually numbered according to the color of the metal. The cases are made in three parts, with a diameter of 40 mm, and a total height of 6.45 mm.
The sapphire crystal is domed on the watch face and flat on the case back; the watch is waterproof up to 30 meters.
Self-winding movement, cal. 2460G4, Geneva Quality Hallmark, diameter 31 mm, 27 jewels, lever escapement, 28,800 vibrations/hour, 22K gold rotor.

Estimate: * * *

"Tour de I'lle"

This unique piece, with black dial, numbered and dated, is specially made by Vacheron Constantin for this event. The dial of this watch is exclusive to this piece and will never be reproduced in any similar watch.

The “Tour de l’Ile”, named for the site of Vacheron Constantin’s historic headquarters, is an double-face, astronomic, minute-repeating, tourbillon wristwatch with a star chart for the latitude of Geneva. The most spectacular wristwatch ever made by Vacheron Constantin, it is perhaps the most complicated wristwatch in the world. It is made in a limited edition of 7 examples, in 18K pink gold, all individually numbered and each with its own characteristic guilloché dial decoration.

The pink gold case is round, 47 mm in diameter, and 17.8 mm thick. It is dust-proof and the repeating is wound by revolving the bezel.
The black 18K gold dials are hand engine-turned (250th Anniversary decoration); the front dial bears the Geneva Quality Hallmark. The watch has applied pink gold bâton indexes and “éventail” hands.

The manually-wound movement, cal. 2750 has a 58-hour power reserve, 38 jewels, lever escapement, balance with gold timing screws, 18,000 vibrations/hour, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.

Estimate: * * *

Ultra-Complicated Wristwatches

This table lists and compares the functions of the “Tour de l’Ile” and another ultra-complicated wristwatch with star chart, the Sky Moon Tourbillon by Patek Philippe. A complication is an additional mechanism in a timepiece that already tells the hours, seconds, and minutes. The additional mechanism must be integrated with the movement of the timepiece or be necessary to its timekeeping function in order to qualify as a complication.

The functions of the two watches
 Vacheron Constantin Patek Philippe
Total number of parts

Tour de l’Ile

834

Sky Moon Tourbillon

686
The timekeeping functions
    
The hours, minutes, and seconds of mean time
   
(not considered to be a complication)
    
The hours and minutes of sidereal time
 1 2
The time in a second time zone
 1 -
The time of sunset and sunrise
 2 -
The equation of time
 1 -
The tourbillon regulator
 1 1
The calendar functions
    
The perpetual calendar
 1 1
The day of the month
 1 1
The days of the week
 1 1
The months
 1 1
The four-year cycle
 1 1
The star chart
 1 1
The age and phases of the moon (with annual deviation)
 1 2
The chime
    
The minute-repeater
 1 1
Couple de sonnerie
 1 -
Other functions for the operation of the watch
    
The going train up-down indication
 1 -
Number of complications
 16 12