Vacheron Constantin - Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking, 1980-1999 Geneva Friday, November 8, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 43032
    Movement No: 742'126
    Case No: 573'934
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1120QP, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Vacheron Constantin pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin fitted box, certificate of origin and guarantee, product literature and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Vacheron Constantin has a long history of skeletonising pocket watches and clocks, often lavishly hand engraving each component.

    In 1983, the brand introduced its first modern perpetual calendar wristwatch, reference 43031, which was a tribute to the brand’s perpetual calendar pocket watches especially with its 48 month cycle. This model came in yellow gold or platinum.

    Wishing to launch a craft that the manufacture is best known for, Vacheron Constantin created in 1984 a skeletonised version of the ref 43031, in platinum or yellow gold, which was renamed to ref 43032.

    The present example in platinum showcases the brand's subtle designs with its superb architectural three dimensional movement that has been delicately skeletonized (almost one third of the metal has been removed) and hand engraved.

    The movement is based the ultra slim caliber 1120 launched in 1968 and based on the ultra-thin Jaeger-LeCoultre 920.

    It is believed that less than 200 skeleton examples were made in platinum. The present example is further accompanied by its original guarantee and box.

  • 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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Ref. 43032
A superbly crated skeletonized platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, guarantee and presentation box

1987
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€26,700-53,400
$29,200-58,400

Sold for CHF60,960

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88

tto@phillips.com

 

 

 

Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking, 1980-1999

Geneva Auction 8 November 2024