Wristwatches · Wristwatch
18ct yellow gold Vacheron & Constantin, ref. 4072 chronograph wristwatch, 1940
- Maker / attribution
- Vacheron & Constantin (maker)
- Date
- 1940
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- G3516
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (G3516)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 18ct yellow gold Vacheron & Constantin, ref. 4072 chronograph wristwatch. Made 1940 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number G3516), this is a wristwatch by Vacheron & Constantin, made in Switzerland, dated 1940. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 2 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Somlo Antiques
Vacheron Constantin is the oldest continuously operating watchmaker, with production extending all the way back to 1755. It is considered part of the "Holy Trinity" of Swiss watchmaking, with Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. The brand has always maintained its uncompromising pursuit of perfection on the inside and out of every timepiece to be released over the past 265 years. Vacheron & Constantin has established itself globally, becoming highly regarded in both watch collecting circles and high society. Acclaimed for their superior skill with design and quality they have created timepieces for such nobles as Empress Eugenie to whom they supplied a pendant watch, a pocket watch for Tsar Alexander II and several watches for Emperor Napoleon II that carried his portrait. Brand: Vacheron & Constantin Made: 1940 Model: Chronograph Reference: 4072 Calibre: 492 Movement: Manual Material: 18ct yellow gold Features/complications: S quare pushers & pulsation dial Dial: Gold dial with outer minute track with strokes to 1/5th of a second and outer pulsation scale featuring Roman quarter numerals and subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, 30 minute register at 3 o’clock with baton hands with blued central chronograph hand Case dimensions: 35mm Bracelet/strap: Leather strap Accessories: - SKU: 3516
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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