Vacheron & Constantin 4073 - Steel & Pink Gold.

Recently, I was blessed enough to find and sell what, in my humble opinion, is considered the mack daddy grail configuration of Patek Philippe 96 - a black dial (Gilt technique) encased in rose gold. Now I have gone on record comparing the PP 96 to Vacherons 4073. The comparison is valid: Bauhaus design principles, manually wound ebauches from JLC (1st series 96), Antoine Gerlach precious metal cases, different case manufacturers for precious metal vs steel examples, enameling and other dial manufacturing techniques... You get it. The list goes on and on. 

Today I present to you what I consider VCs version. If that black dial Patek is the grail configuration of a 96 this is Vacherons equivalent: a 4073 in steel and pink gold. I have been able to find 5 to date. I'd venture to say that no more than 10-15 were ever made. One resides in my private collection and I know of one other currently in Portugal. 

This example was documented to have been sold in Antiquorum's "Timeless Beauty: Spectacular Wristwatches" auction back in 2004. It's unclear what it sold for back then as I don't have access to the auction results. I have ordered the extract in order to confirm the case configuration which is critical. Importantly, the watch comes with it's original pink gold crown and what I believe to be it's original solid gold buckle. Two items that are impossible to find. 

ABOUT THIS WATCH: 

MANUFACTURER: Vacheron & Constantin

REFERENCE: 4073

YEAR: 1946

SERIAL: 30xxxx

CASE: The 34mm steel and 14k pink gold case is in good shape. The case has been polished in the past. The midcase and case back has been rebrushed and the anterior lugs have been given more of mirror polish. It presents with minimal wear. The case is 2x signed and matching. 

DIAL:  An untouched original, copper, engraved, enamel dial. The maisons signature "Vacheron & Constantin Geneve", the subsidiary seconds markers and outer minute track were done in engraved enamel. The dial exhibits no signs of cleaning. Noted above the 9 o'clock hour marker we can observe some small scratches on the dial that are exhibited in our detailed photographs. Please note these marks are illustrated through 50mm macro lens and are much less noticeable on the wrist at normal wearing distances. 

MOVEMENT: Vacheron manually wound caliber 453. Vacheron's finishing prowess that they had come to be known for by the mid twentieth century is on full display as we see a myriad of finishing techniques including cotes de Genève, pearlage, anglage and black polishing.  

BRACELET:  We have paired this Uber rare 4073 with our "Patimeni" strap - a handmade, tan, pebbled calfskin strap handcrafted by a single artisan in the heart of Italy. Italy has developed a reputation for their premium leather goods now for decades. Rest assured this strap is of the highest quality. 

ACCESSORIES: None. 

BOX/PAPERS: No. 

WARRANTY: None.

BANK WIRE/ZELLE PRICE: $10,000 shipped.