Vacheron Constantin Bumper Automatic 18ct 1952

Vacheron Constantin

One of the widely recognised ‘Holy Trinity’ of Swiss watchmaking along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin is also the world’s oldest ‘Watch Manufacturer’, and as such, it has remained in continuous operation since 1755. More than this, Vacheron Constantin is the founding father of a spirit of technical excellence which it has made an art form. This is known as ‘Haute Horlogerie’ at which Vacheron Constantin has been in the vanguard for over 260 years. This tradition defines the ‘Manufacture’, evident in the finest quality execution, reflected in a finish which goes far beyond the demands of the ‘Poinçon de Genève’.

Created in 1886, the ‘Seal of the State of Geneva’ is the highest accolade, reserved for only the very finest quality watchmaking. Vacheron Constantin was the first watchmaker to be allowed to use this hallmark of excellence on its movements.

Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts, beginning in 1839. The 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.

For the well-heeled and the collector, vintage Vacheron & Constantin offer a degree of exclusivity which even Patek Philippe cannot. During the 1940s and through the 1960s, Vacheron Constantin only ever produced a maximum of 24 examples of each reference in any one configuration. This means that while it produced a variety of dial and case combinations and colours and designs, each one was strictly limited in number. For the collector, the fact that these watches exist and are seriously undervalued doesn’t go unnoticed.

Description

This is quite a statement piece. Here we have a Vacheron & Constantin dress watch at 31mm diameter, excluding the orignal Vacheron unsigned crown. The watch dial, while conservative, has upon closer examination a wonderfully attractive quilted effect, which elevates this watch to something truly special. Added to this, we have one of the very highest quality hand-wound movements ever produced.

This beautiful classic timepeice impresses with an extraordinary design language and a clear, symmetrical honeycomb dial, simply showing the hour, minute and outer second. In addition to the incredible dial and movement, on the exterior of the case back there is a unique and extremely rare inscription for the Arch Bishop Samuel J David.

The Dial

In addition to its very fine movements, Vacheron Constantin is widely renowned for its beautiful dials. This outstanding silver quilted dial is completely original, unrestored and untouched yet still remains in a beautiful and unique condition.

Further to this, the classic Vacheron Constantin dial design here is totally ageless, totally understated and executed to perfection with applied single solid gold ‘arrowhead’ hour indices and standard Arabic numerals at ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ which make this watch very easily read on the wrist. The silver dial provides the perfect contrast between the case, original gold ‘index’ hands, and the dial furnishings. The symmetry and pure class here is matchless and for someone with an eye for classical watch design, totally irresistible.

The dial is simply signed ‘Vacheron Constantin’ and ‘Geneve’ with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however, we decided in this case due to its exceptional condition, to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with most of the other watch dials you see on our website which have been restored.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

Movement 

This watch contains the high-grade Vacheron & Constantin Calibre 477/1, 17 Jewel bumper movement which was Vacheron & Constantin’s first automatic movement, introduced in 1950. This rare movement was only produced for only 2 short years from 1950-1952, but was cased and used in various different models in subsequent years.

This bumper automatic movement uses a solid gold rotor which arcs backwards and forwards between two ‘bumper’ springs to wind the watch. This was not merely to show off, but 18ct gold has the physical property of being heavy, so this increases the efficiency of the auto winding mechanism.

The bumper automatic was a standard design perfected at the time and in common use with other manufacturers including Jaeger LeCoultre, Omega and Zenith. When the watch is moved, one can very gently feel and hear the rotor bouncing between its two bumper springs. This is quite endearing and is part of the personality of the watch and after half an hour or so on the wrist one seldom notices it.

The movement is in superb condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by our vintage Vacheron & Constantin specialist watchmaker. It is running perfectly and has been calibrated in 5 positions to run within +13 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and is no exaggeration – we have checked and confirmed the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound.

The movement is signed ‘Vacheron & Constantin’, ‘Automatic’, ‘Swiss’ and 17 Jewels with the Calibre number 477/1, the movement serial number 494668 and Swiss Geneva Seal hallmarks. The movement serial number dates this watch to 1952.

With care and regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for another 50+ years before it requires a full overhaul. We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months’ written warranty*.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

Watch Case

The wonderful very high quality 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 49mm diagonally including the lugs, 31mm vertically excluding the lugs, and 31mm horizontally excluding the orignal Vacheron & Constantin unsigned crown. This watch also has outstanding lugs which add depth to the dial, standing proud on each corner.

From its very early beginnings, Vacheron & Constantin has been the torchbearer of Haute Horlogerie. This is reflected not only in the quality of its movements, but also in its watch cases. Here, the case is of an attractive two-piece design with straight swept-back lugs and a press-fit case-back.

The case and case-back are all in superb condition with few marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. The watch has beautifully well cared for so after a close inspection, has simply required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition.

The case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed, and also has a brushed finish. Inside the case-back all is correct and as expected, signed ‘Vacheron & Constantin’ and ‘Swiss’ with Swiss 18ct gold hallmarks and the  case serial number 321039.

As mentioned above, the exterior of the case back has an extremely rare inscription which relates to the Arch Bishop Samuel J Daivid. This is the first example of a watch with such a rare inscription.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality brown leather strap has been fitted, along with a plain yellow gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish, here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1952.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box, as shown in the photographs.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

A simply outstanding Vacheron Constantin gentleman’s dress watch from one of horology’s most revered names. This will not only make an excellent dress watch but also a practical, accurate and reliable timepiece to use on a daily basis should you so wish. It will provide an excellent investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.