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Lot Essay
According to the Archives of Vacheron Constantin, the present watch was manufactured in 1961.
Amongst all complications which can be found in vintage wristwatches, minute repeaters are most probably the rarest, especially when considering that just a handful of manufacturers ever made this exclusive mechanism for their wristwatches.
When minute repeating appeared in the 1920s, they were normally cased in cushion-shaped or rectangular cases. Throughout the 40s to the 60s, round cases were the predominant choice and the vast majority was finished in yellow gold.
After extensive research we cannot think of any post war production vintage minute repeating wristwatch cased in white gold, underlining the present examples' exclusivity and prominent position it takes amongst its peers. Another impressive element is its unusually large case of 36 mm., still maintaining a very thin look. The cube-shaped edgy lugs are again virtually unknown to repeating watches and the absolutely unpolished condition round up the overall image of a highly important, most likely unique wristwatch for any discerning horologists' collection.
From a practical point of view it is also important to mention that the repeating is properly functioning and surprises with a strong and clear sound we usually do not associate with vintage watches. In fact we can hardly remember having ever heard a vintage repeater sound so full and melodious as the present one by Vacheron Constantin.
Amongst all complications which can be found in vintage wristwatches, minute repeaters are most probably the rarest, especially when considering that just a handful of manufacturers ever made this exclusive mechanism for their wristwatches.
When minute repeating appeared in the 1920s, they were normally cased in cushion-shaped or rectangular cases. Throughout the 40s to the 60s, round cases were the predominant choice and the vast majority was finished in yellow gold.
After extensive research we cannot think of any post war production vintage minute repeating wristwatch cased in white gold, underlining the present examples' exclusivity and prominent position it takes amongst its peers. Another impressive element is its unusually large case of 36 mm., still maintaining a very thin look. The cube-shaped edgy lugs are again virtually unknown to repeating watches and the absolutely unpolished condition round up the overall image of a highly important, most likely unique wristwatch for any discerning horologists' collection.
From a practical point of view it is also important to mention that the repeating is properly functioning and surprises with a strong and clear sound we usually do not associate with vintage watches. In fact we can hardly remember having ever heard a vintage repeater sound so full and melodious as the present one by Vacheron Constantin.