Important Watches: Part I
Important Watches: Part I
Vacheron Constantin
Patrimony Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar, Reference 30020/000P-7596 | A platinum minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with lapis lazuli moon phases and leap year indication | Made in 2004
Auction Closed
May 12, 11:39 AM GMT
Estimate
120,000 - 240,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered, lapis lazuli moon phase
Calibre: cal. 1755 manual winding, 30 jewels
Movement number: 947'207
Case: platinum, snap-on case back
Case number: 771'811
Closure: platinum Vacheron Constantin buckle
Size: 37 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Antiquorum, Hong Kong, November 2022, Lot 270
The Vacheron Constantin reference 30020 was manufactured in 200 examples in 2 configurations, one with a traditional dial as seen here and the other skeletonized. The watch draws direct inspiration from the vintage reference 4261, one of the most coveted Vacheron Constantin timepieces by collectors. The watch uses the same elegant stepped case profile as its vintage predecessor, along with the beautiful and distinct teardrop lugs. Remarkably, the movement was crafted using the same traditional techniques as that in the reference 4261 and as a result the watch not only mimics but certainly directly inherits heritage and authenticity.
The watch was not only historically important as a recreation of one of Vacheron Constantin’s golden references, but also due to its own technological accomplishments. At the time of its creation, the caliber was the world’s thinnest repeater at an astonishing 3.28 mm thinness, and the watch marked the first time the minute repeater complication was paired with perpetual calendar (the 4261 was only a triple calendar). With a beautiful repeating tone, this is truly an historic timepiece for the maison, and one that will surely attract true watch connoisseurs.