Original "Extra flat" V & C's are very pleasing and collectable in their own right...but when does one ever find an all-riginal platinum one? Even better, it's just short of mint. This is the first one to ever pass through our halls.
We have owned a watch with this exact case style in 18K yellow but have never seen one in platinum.
Epitomizing the essence of "'the classic watch" remembered today, watches like this made by Patek, Vacheron & AP feature a manually wound movement, round gold cases, understated dial, slender hands, and simple baton markers. As one writer aptly stated, "The extra-slim watch, whose style embraces only the strict essentials, has continued to seduce for its elegance and discretion."
Just as fine on the inside as it is on the outside, the watch is powered by Vacheron & Constantin's legendary extra-flat movement, co-developed with Audemars Piguet. Released in 1955 to celebrate the company's bicentennial, this minuscule mechanism is the thinnest movement ever created for a normal size watch, measuring a mere 1.64mm!
To honor the achievement Vacheron & Constantin presented personalized examples to several key Heads of State including President Dwight Eisenhower. Only a few luxury watches in the following decades would lay claim to this movement earning them reputations as masterpieces of twentieth-century watchmaking.
It is all-original down to its dial, hands, and winding crown, and V & C band which we believe is the watch's original and original 18K white gold V & C buckle. This is the original buckle - it would not have come with a platinum one.
One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. It is otherwise untouched.
The case has never been polished and presents on the wrist as mint. The back has very slight opening marks and one shallow pin prick indention. The lines are perfectly crisp and the V & C factory applied satin is very strong.
A very rare watch and perhaps the only one in this gorgeous original condition.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
- Manufacturer: Vacheron & Constantin
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Serial no.: 535,557
- Year built: c. late 1950's
- Model: Ref. 4961
- Functions: Hours and Minutes
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: Platinum
- Case markings (inside): Vacheron & Constantin, Swiss, .950 PT, Platine Iridine, 4961, 364391
- Case condition: It presents on the wrist as mint. The case has never been polished. The back has very slight opening marks and one shallow pin prick indention. The lines are perfectly crisp and the V & C factory applied satin is very strong.
- Dimensions: 31mm diameter without crown by 36mm long lug tip to tip
- Dial: Silver, thin applique baton markers, original, just short of mint
- Hands: Original, batons
- Movement type: Very high quality, V & C caliber 1003, extra-flat, stamped with prestigious Hallmark of Geneve, manually wound, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions for very accurate timekeeping, self-compensating flat balance-spring
- Movement markings: Vacheron & Constantin, Swiss, Seventeen Jewels, Adjusted to 5 positions, Heat, Cold and Isochronism, 1003, stamped with prestigious Poinçon de Genève
- Band: Original, Vacheron & Constantin, only fairly mildly worn, with original V & C 18K white gold buckle. This is the original buckle - it would not have come with a platinum one
- Crystal: Mineral glass, mint condition
- Serviced: Yes, freshly cleaned and oiled. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
