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52 Weeks
52 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks 52 Weeks
lot 08

Vacheron Constantin

52 Weeks

Estimate CHF 8 000 / CHF 10 000
Starting bid CHF 8 000
Hammer price CHF 16 000
Total bids 19
Buyer’s premium will not be charged

Specification

CasePolished yellow gold case 750/1000 with a solid yellow gold caseback, lateral correctors, crown at 3 o'clock
StrapDark brown leather strap (not original) with a original yellow gold pin buckle
DialSilvered engine turned dial with applied golden hour dots, date indication at 3 o'clock, moon phase indication at 6 o'clock, weekday indication at 3 o'clock, weekly calendar ring
MovementRhodium-plated automatic movement with Geneva stripes, calendar function
Cal.1126
Ref.47052
Movement No.795333
Case No.646175
D=36mm

Condition report

Case:Good, signs of wear
Strap:Very good, small signs of wear
Dial:Mint condition
Movement:All functions working properly
Amplitude (Dial on top/Lift angle 52):Approx 320°
Accuracy (Dial on top):Approx +10 sec/day
Box:Yes

Details 

A very rare, elegant and unusual early yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch of the famous Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin, founded in 1755. Production period: most probably 1994–1995. Case in 18k yellow gold, diameter 36mm, 9mm thick, solid-gold caseback with logo and case number engraved. Calendar correctors at 2, 4, 8 and 10 o’clock. Silvered white dial with guilloché motif and yellow gold hands and indices, recessed sub-dials, lapis lazuli moon-disc. Caliber 1126 Q52, self-winding, rotor with inertial segment in 21k yellow gold, power reserve of up to 40 hours. Functions – indication of time in hours and minutes, calendar with indication of date at 3 o’clock, day of week at 9 o’clock, moon phase at 6 o’clock, and peripheral ring for month and week number in year. Dark brown leather strap, Vacheron Constantin half Maltese cross-shaped 18k yellow gold pin buckle. 

Lot essay 

Vacheron Constantin is one of the recognised masters of classic wristwatches. In the 1990s, this aspect of the brand’s activity was especially vividly embodied in many designs of gold and platinum models with a round case and a guilloche-decorated dial. These were not only models of the classic collection without additional complications, but also traditional ‘big’ complications such as tourbillon, perpetual calendar, chronograph, minute repeater, and also so-called ‘small’ complications, like this reference, which offers a triple calendar with date, day of week, month and moon phases. It is also unusual in indicating not only the day/date and moon phases but also the week number on the periphery of the dial. A large amount of information on the dial of Ref. 47052 has been thoughtfully organised so that its readability is very easy and convenient, while the dial retains the modest and elegant classic style so appreciated in wristwatches of Vacheron Constantin. 

This reference offers a triple calendar with date, day of week, month and moon phases. It is also unusual in indicating not only the day/date and moon phases but also the week number on the periphery of the dial.

The brand introduced this reference in 1994, offering models only in 18k gold, predominantly in yellow gold, or in platinum 950, which was common practice for the brand in the 1990s. Its intermediate positioning between uncomplicated classic models and watches with traditional complications did not contribute to the wide popularity of this reference. Based on the low frequency of the appearance of these watches on the secondary market, we can assume that the production volume of reference 47052 is significantly less than that of models with traditional complications, making this reference very rare and therefore attractive to today’s collector. 

Ref. 47052 is powered by the self-winding 1126 Q52 caliber, a movement that is based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre 889 movement-blank, long-time partner and supplier of the Vacheron Constantin brand, while the calendar module was manufactured by the brand’s other long-term supplier, Dubois Dépraz. 

Reasons to bid 

The Vacheron Constantin Complications Calendar 52 Weeks Ref. 47052/000J would be an excellent purchase for the collector who desires a very rare, elegant and unusual early triple calendar wristwatch from a world-renowned traditional watch brand, one of the undisputed leaders in the haute horlogerie watch market. The undoubted advantage of the present watch is the outstanding aesthetic characteristics of its finely designed and executed dial, revealing the splendid and elegant classical design, which is traditionally a strong point of Vacheron Constantin watches. Ref. 47052 in yellow gold appears very rarely at auctions, which is explained by the limited production of this model. Therefore, this watch is perceived as an extremely promising collectible. At the same time, it is well suited for both casual and formal wear as a classic, relatively small timepiece, with a 36mm diameter case and a perfect 1 to 4 proportion. It is, therefore, a comfortable high-end self-winding and practical complicated daily wearer.