57 - VACHERON CONSTANTIN: STAINLESS STEEL MANUAL-WINDING WRISTWATCH A fine and uncommon stainless steel manual-winding wristwatch with champagne dial and applied hour markers.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN: STAINLESS STEEL MANUAL-WINDING WRISTWATCH A fine and uncommon stainless steel manual-winding wristwatch with champagne dial and applied hour markers. Year: Circa 1950s Dial: Silvered dial with applied faceted baton hour markers and Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 6 o’clock, silver sword hands and centre seconds, signed Vacheron & Constantin Genève. Calibre: Vacheron Constantin manual-winding mechanical calibre P454/5B, signed Vacheron & Constantin Genève, numbered 495501. Case: Stainless steel circular case with gently curved lugs and screw-down case back, inner case back numbered 335458. Diameter: Approx. 35 mm Gross Weight: Approx. 41.8 g Bracelet: Later black leather strap with stainless steel pin buckle, adjustable. Signature: Dial, movement and case. Condition Report: Overall grade: Good. Case: Surface wear, scratches and small marks consistent with age and regular use; case retains good overall proportions, with some wear visible to the lugs and case edges. Dial: Silvered dial displaying very light spotting and creamy patina. Applied hour markers remain well defined and overall good condition. Glass: Surface scratches and marks consistent with age and use. Movement: Manual-winding mechanical movement showing light age-related wear; running at the time of cataloguing. Bracelet: Later black leather strap with creasing and signs of wear consistent with use. Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle with light surface scratches and wear. Crown: Winding correctly. Running at the time of cataloguing. Overhaul recommended at buyer’s expense. We do not test any watches for their accuracy and as such, timekeeping cannot be guaranteed. All lots are sold as is, without any representation or warranty as to their condition or function. Condition Reports are provided for guidance only and may not refer to all imperfections, restorations, or replacements. Prospective buyers are responsible for ensuring they are completely satisfied with the condition of the lot before bidding. Although Adam’s endeavours to note any replacement parts in our Condition Reports, we cannot confirm that each component is original, or that any replacements are made using original manufacturer parts. During the 1950s, stainless steel was an unusual choice for the most prestigious Swiss watchmakers, whose finest creations were predominantly housed in precious metals. Today, this relative scarcity has made certain vintage steel watches particularly desirable among collectors, most spectacularly illustrated by the extraordinary auction results achieved by rare stainless steel Patek Philippe references. Vacheron Constantin was no exception. The manufacture produced comparatively few stainless steel wristwatches during this period, making surviving examples especially interesting. Dating from the 1950s, the present example combines an elegant 35 mm stainless steel case with a beautifully balanced dial featuring alternating Arabic numerals and faceted hour markers. Powered by the manually wound calibre P454/5B, it offers a fascinating and understated example of mid-century Vacheron Constantin watchmaking.