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What we already know - Retrospection
May 14, 2019,11:59 AM
Article from "The Hour Louge" - The Vacheron Constantin Discussion Forum
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The calendar is like the air we breathe, it surrounds us, it rhythms our lives, but we don’t really pay any attention to it.
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Quantum Leap: History of Vacheron Constantin Calendar Watches Part 2
Alex Ghotbi
November 15, 11 16:11
As As seen in Part 1 Vacheron Constantin embraced full calendar wrist watch quite early on (in 1929) but few models were made prior to the 40s. However the brand switched to turbo mode in the early 40s with the launch of the ref 4240 which with the subsequent variants became over time an icon.
Ref 4240Launched in 1942, ref 4240 came in different case and dial variations. The 35mm case is 3 part stepped with claw lugs, day and month are indicated via apertures and the date via a central hand. Ref 4240 was produced in yellow or rose gold case and in a rarer two tone case either in steel with rose gold lugs or steel with yellow gold lugs. Used calibres 485.
Ref 4240L
Same model as ref 4240 but with moonphase indication, which explains the L (for Lune which means moon in French). The 35mm case was available in yellow gold or steel. Used calibre 495.
Ref 4241Also launched in 1942 reference 4241 has the exact same indications as ref 4241 but with a slightly larger case:35.5mm and tear drop lugs. The watch was made in yellow gold, rose gold and steel. A special version of this reference was also made with hooded bar lugs.
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Ref 4385Launched in 1945, this reference has the same case as ref 4241 but with an integrated Milanese bracelet and no lugs. This model was made in either yellow or rose gold and housed calibre 485.
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Ref 4461
Launched in 1947 ref 4461 has a beautiful case with amazing horn shaped lugs. The 33.7 mm case is smaller than the 4240L with which it shares all the functions. This watch was made in yellow and rose gold.
Ref 4462With the now habitual dial configuration, ref 4462 was launched in 1948 and with an even smaller case measuring a mere 32.5mm. This watch was made in yellow and rose gold.
Ref 4560Launched in 1949, ref 4560 came with or without moonphase. Vacheron Constantin returned to a larger case size at 35.5mm and extremely detailed lugs. This watch was made in yellow and rose gold.
Ref 4623Launched in 1950 the case seems flattened out with its bevelled bezel and horn shaped lugs directly placed on said bezel. The 32.5mm case came in yellow and rose gold.
Ref 4764Launched in 1952 this watch also known under its nickname Cioccolatone (named as such by the Italian collectors due to its resemblance to a piece of chocolate) was huge (to the standards of the time) with its 36mm x 43mm. Made in yellow gold and some rare models in pink gold with the occasional and exceptionally rare platinum case, housing cal 495.
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Ref 4293A triple date with moonphase indication minute repeater ref 4293, the movement was made in 1943 but only cased in a rather large (for the time) 38mm rose gold case, and sold in 1957. According to Vacheron Constantin archives two models were to be made but only one actually left the ateliers.