Beschreibung:

153 Vacheron Constantin Ref. 4907
Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1954 Reference No: 4907 Movement No: 508'774 Case No: 342'522 Model Name: Chronomètre Royal Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12''' 1008BS, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold half Maltese cross buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by original fitted box, product literature, and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954. Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in "Micro-Portfolio of Images taken from Royal Vacheron Constantin" Catalogue Essay Behind a delightfully historic name, Vacheron Constantin’s “Chronomètre Royal” represents one of horology’s best known models as well as one of the first attempts at serial production of a precision timepiece. Each and every Chronomètre Royal was an ultimate expression of Vacheron Constantin’s know-how, in terms of aesthetic design, chronometry, and finishing quality. Accordingly, vintage Chronomètre Royal wristwatches are considered by collectors and scholars to be amongst the finest ever made by any brand. Phillips Watches is absolutely delighted and proud to offer in the present lot, what we believe to be the rarest and most exceptional example of a vintage Chronomètre Royal wristwatch the market has ever seen. A reference 4907 in white gold, it’s a highly coveted model thanks to its substantial case and long, massive lugs that give it incredible presence on the wrist. Produced mainly in yellow gold, with fewer examples in pink gold, the fact that the reference was made in a white case metal was simply unheard of until now. Stating that the present lot is rare would be an understatement. Not only is this timepiece fresh to the market, but research shows that never before has a white gold reference 4907 appeared at auction. It is unknown how many examples of reference 4907 were case in white gold during the model's nine years of production. If more examples besides the present piece were made, there whereabout remain unknown. The watch is part of a line with a very rich heritage for Vacheron Constantin. The Chronometre Royal became an instant success upon its launch in 1907 and was avidly sought after by the cognoscenti. The South American market was the first to request such a timepiece. A letter dated April 17, 1907 from Campos in Rio de Janeiro shows the interest of this agent in a robust precision instrument. Campos had organised a lottery system in which subscribers would pay a monthly fee to take part in a series of drawings (this seems to have been a successful way to sell watches in Brazil at the time and was tested by different agents for different brands). The winner would win a watch and the other subscribers would enter the next drawing. So successful were these watches, Campos delivered over 3000 of them in only four short years. In Vacheron Constantin catalogues since 1907 first as a pocket watch then introduced in wrist watch form in 1953. The latter housed Vacheron’s absolutely highest grade manual-winding movements - calibres 1007BS (sub seconds) and 1008BS (central seconds) as in the present lot. The BS in the appellation stands for Balance Stop; Vacheron Constantin being one of the first (if not the first) to actually use a hacking seconds in a wristwatch made for civilian use. In an ad from 1957, Vacheron Constantin made it clear: the Chronomètre Royal is a watch with: “class, created for a demanding clientele by the same experts who, at Vacheron Constantin, have produced the victorious chronometers at the observatory trials.” Vacheron Constantin replaced the manual winding calibers in 1962 with automatic movements, meaning that the current reference 4907 was in production for only 9 short years. In pristine condition, the case on the present example retains its original brushed and polished surfaces, strong hallmarks, and its crisp “Chronomètre Royal” engraving on it