Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1938 Reference No: 3768 Movement No: 420'669 Case No: 261'751 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, Cal 295, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm diameter and 39mm lug to lug Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch in 1938 Provenance: The present watch was originally sold in "The Art of Vacheron Constantin" Antiquorum, November 13, 1994, Lot 133
Provenance
The present watch was originally sold in "The Art of Vacheron Constantin" Antiquorum, November 13, 1994, Lot 133
Catalogue Essay
In terms of vintage Vacheron Constantin chronographs, the present reference 3768 from the late 1930s can be considered as one of the rarest and most elusive as only 6 are known.
Scholars and collectors agree on the beauty and elegance of vintage Vacheron Constantin chronographs and the present 3768 impresses with its relatively large size, taught lines and faceted case.
The dial also has a very harmonious layout with a coveted blue pulsations scale and silvered outer seconds ring. Interestingly the watch features a rare an unusual 45 minutes counter as opposed to the more habitual 30 minutes totalizer. It is possible that the watch was a special order for a football fan who wanted to be able to record the half time of his favorite sport.
Interestingly the deign of the present reference was used by vacheron Constantin when they launched the "Medicus" chronograph in the late 1990s, also with pulsation scale.
In overall extremely pleasing condition, this superb example of Vacheron Constantin’s design acumen is a must have for the collector of fine vintage chronographs made by the world’s oldest brand in continuous activity.
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.