A solid eighteen carat yellow gold, manual wind Tank watch on integrated bracelet by Vacheron & Constantin with box and papers. This is not just one of the most beautiful watch making works of art we have been lucky to find over the years, but it is also a pristine, complete, full set example. Often one looks at watches from Piaget and marvel at their ability to blend watch making with haute jewellery making. It is rare to find other brands elevating their offering from superb watch making into these more special, jewel pieces. Especially Vacheron & Constantin. Of course Vacheron are one of the finest watch makers in the world with a rich history of innovation, quality and beauty. But, they can be regarded as one of the more conservative watch makers of the big six Swiss manufacturers.
The bracelet of this watch is not simply a woven pattern. It is in fact woven gold. It is very much in the Bottega Veneta style of leather making. The bracelet is fluid and soft, rolling over the fingers. It is stunning on the wrist. The back of the bracelet is as beautiful as the front. Although, the front is all hand engraved to give off the effect of the basket weave. This technique is also hand applied in a woven effect through the case that seamlessly blends into the bracelet. The bracelet is long, and would appear to have never been sized. From end to end it is seven and three quarter inches long.
The dial is a stunningly hand selected piece of Tiger Eye. Tiger's Eye, a member of the chalcedony mineral family, exhibits a silky luster and an opaque, reddish-brown appearance with distinctive iron striations, a result of its metamorphic origins. Nicknamed "The Shapeshifter," the captivating Tiger's Eye gemstone invites the wearer to embrace their inner strength, personal willpower, and the powers of protection. Adorned with golden bands, flecks of sand, and smudges of inky black and brown, this stone exudes a wild, primal energy. Traditionally, the Tiger's Eye was carried as a protective amulet against evil forces, believed to ward off curses and keep the wearer safe. But beyond its protective properties, the Tiger's Eye offers a wealth of healing benefits.
Originating from the big cat lands of South Africa, the spice islands and tea plantations of India, and the arid Australian outback, Tiger's Eye is formed by the alteration of crocidolite, its mineral-rich hues and golden orb color derived from iron oxide. In the 16th century, this gemstone was so rare it was considered more precious than gold.
The Egyptians were captivated by the iridescent rays of the Tiger's Eye, believing it expressed divine vision and using it to represent the eyes of great deities. Roman soldiers even adorned their breastplates with this protective amulet during battle.
A Gemini birthstone it has traditionally also been used to ward off curses, asa protective amulet, and was even considered more precious than gold!
The printing applied to the dial of both the brand name, and the COO "Swiss" at the bottom are printed in white in order to stand apart from the dial. The very simple stick hand set are also painted white to appear stark against the radiating dial. All original, and all in perfect flawless condition.
Now it is time to progress onto the movement. As we would expect from such a work of art in case and bracelet making, the movement too is special. The watch is powered by a Swiss made, manually wound caliber 1003. This caliber is based on the famed Jaeger LeCoultre caliber 839, which progressed into the 849; the thinnest hand wound movements in the world. Vacheron's caliber 1003 reduces the height even further, to just 1.64mm. This moves the movement as close to the practical limit for an ultra-thin, traditionally constructed hand-wound mechanical movement that can be manufactured. Much can be read about this miraculous masterpiece of watch making, but we will finish by saying that it was such a great movement that Vacheron reintroduced it into their collection in 2022.
The watch is accompanied by the most expensive box that VC made during this period. It is all wood, suede lined and with the artwork of the original VC factory in Geneva. The original paperwork is present, in the original envelope that is dated 15/12/1977 and is stamped from the H. Stern company, the owners of Patek Philippe.
With bracelet watches being more popular than ever this represents a very rare and spectacular example of one of Switzerland’s finest makers producing one of their most stylish and beautiful creations.
