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Lot Essay
With Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1950 and period presentation box.
Reference 4539 is doubtlessly one of Vacheron Constantin's rarest "time only" wristwatches. Made in the 1950s, the model is distinguished by its, for the period and still today, exceptionally large diameter of 37.5 mm., the minimalist, architectural case design with an enlarged flat bezel and elongated straight lug, and the indirect sweep centre seconds.
Fresh to the market the present reference 4539 is believed to be the so far only pink gold model of this ultra-rare watch to have appeared in public. In fact, research has revealed that to date only one other example of this reference is known, however cased in yellow gold: movement no. 489'491, case no. 319'574, sold on 5 October 1950 to Vacheron Constantin in New York (The Art of Vacheron Constantin, Antiquorum, Geneva, 13 November 1994, lot 230).
This reference 4539 furthermore stands out by its very good, original overall condition. The case has not been subject to careless polishing, demonstrated by its full proportions and crisp gold marks. The guilloché dial, a rarity by itself, displays a charismatic, uniform champagne tone from age, beautifully harmonizing with the pink gold case.
The most remarkable feature of this watch is however the layout of the signature on its dial, hardly ever seen in any other watch of the celebrated manufacture: the two-line inscription "Vacheron & Constantin Genève", integrated into the guilloché background, is placed to the lower half of the dial while a Maltese cross was applied below 12 o'clock, position where the signature of the relevant manufacturer of a watch is commonly found.
This highly uncommon feature combined with the attractive design, charismatic dial and overall condition render the watch a very unique appearance.
Reference 4539 is doubtlessly one of Vacheron Constantin's rarest "time only" wristwatches. Made in the 1950s, the model is distinguished by its, for the period and still today, exceptionally large diameter of 37.5 mm., the minimalist, architectural case design with an enlarged flat bezel and elongated straight lug, and the indirect sweep centre seconds.
Fresh to the market the present reference 4539 is believed to be the so far only pink gold model of this ultra-rare watch to have appeared in public. In fact, research has revealed that to date only one other example of this reference is known, however cased in yellow gold: movement no. 489'491, case no. 319'574, sold on 5 October 1950 to Vacheron Constantin in New York (The Art of Vacheron Constantin, Antiquorum, Geneva, 13 November 1994, lot 230).
This reference 4539 furthermore stands out by its very good, original overall condition. The case has not been subject to careless polishing, demonstrated by its full proportions and crisp gold marks. The guilloché dial, a rarity by itself, displays a charismatic, uniform champagne tone from age, beautifully harmonizing with the pink gold case.
The most remarkable feature of this watch is however the layout of the signature on its dial, hardly ever seen in any other watch of the celebrated manufacture: the two-line inscription "Vacheron & Constantin Genève", integrated into the guilloché background, is placed to the lower half of the dial while a Maltese cross was applied below 12 o'clock, position where the signature of the relevant manufacturer of a watch is commonly found.
This highly uncommon feature combined with the attractive design, charismatic dial and overall condition render the watch a very unique appearance.