製造商: Vacheron Constantin 年份: 1957 型號: 4737 機芯編號: 537'123 錶殼號碼: 376'144 型號名稱: "Cioccolatone" 材料: 18K yellow gold 機芯: Automatic, cal. P1019/1, 21 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Leather 錶扣: Gold plated pin buckle 尺寸: 36mm Width, 43mm Length 簽名: Case, dial and movement signed 配件: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch in 1957
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Vacheron Constantin’s reference 4737 is a wonderful example of the artistically flamboyant design language expressed by the brand during the mid-20th century. Focusing on clean lines and biomorphic shapes, the brand created a new aesthetic with this large, organic, square- shaped wristwatch with rounded stepped lugs and bezel, along with the slightly curved case. Introduced in the 1950s, the watch became known by Italian collectors as the “Cioccolatone” for the square-shaped chocolates they enjoy, and has over the last 70 years become an iconic Vacheron Constantin. Its avant-garde, industrial design exemplifies the beauty and artistic creativity the brand is known for. Manufactured with both manual and automatic movements, the collection featured timepieces with either subsidiary seconds or center seconds, as well as with and without date apertures, along with very rare triple calendar examples with moon phase.
In 2003, Vacheron Constantin revived this case shape by launching a full calendar with moonphase model under the name Toledo 1952. In 2013 the brand re-introduced a model similar in all aspects to the present lot under the name Historiques Toledo 1951.
The present example is distinguished by a very well preserved case, which allows the beholder to fully enjoy the voluptuously sculpted shapes of the model. The crisp hallmark to the band next to the crown testifies how successfully this case avoided careless and aggressive polishing. This particular configuration, with center seconds and no date, is appreciated by traditionalists and non-conformists for its elegant simplicity and the purity of its design, and the present example is a very rare iteration with champagne dial instead of the commonly seen silvered one. This design can be considered an embodiment of the carefree and forward-thinking spirit of the 1960s and 1970s, an era which sees such flamboyant styles fully bloom - thus making this watch a precursor of future trends.
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.
