Vacheron Constantin

Prime Minister Harold Macmillan played an integral role in one of the most precarious and tempestuous periods of the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and establised himself as the first nuclear-armed Prime Minister of Great Britain. During the uncertain Cold War period, Macmillan progressed decolonisation and featured heavily in negotiating the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Prior to Macmillan’s position as Prime Minister, he attended the Geneva Summit of 1955 as a Foreign Minister under Anthony Eden, whom he would later replace as Prime Minister. This Vacheron Constantin 6032 is an object of diplomatic symbolism that represents a significant moment in history, gifted to principal attendees of the summit. Indeed, eight Reference 6032 Vacheron Constantin wristwatches were presented to world leaders in tribute to their continued efforts to find peace. Each watch was personally engraved with the name of the politician and the date of the conference and originally accompanied by a letter signed by the generous patrons expressing their gratitude.

The inscription on the watch reads: 'HOMMAGE DE CITOYENS DE GENEVE - A SON EXCELLENCE HAROLD MACMILLAN MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES DE SAN MAJESTE BRITANIQUE - CONFERENCE DE GENEVE JUILLET 1955'.

Another ref. 6032, presented to Prime Minister Eden was sold by Sotheby's London in the 2019 April Fine Watches sale, L19070 lot 41.