This Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques Chronograph Ref. 47101bringsa classic reference from the archives into the modern worldas part of the Historiques collection.A highly versatile platinum example, this piece is excellently preserved, with expertly polished surfaces throughout.

Les Historiques

boast a lengthy and uninterrupted history of manufacture, dating back to 1755. The firms founder, Jean-Marc Vacheron, was one of many cabinotier-watchmakers who specialised in the production of complex components. Upon partnering with Franois Constantin, Vacheron (the brand) became widely-known for upholding the finest horological traditions - enamelling, piercing, engraving and engine-turning.

TheVacheron ConstantinRef.47101was introduced in 1989, as part of the brandsHistoriquescollection - paying tribute to the Geneva watchmakers archives. Theorigins of the watch can be traced back toVacherons iconicreference 4178, from the 1940s - with its tachymeter scale and placement of the subsidiary dials - considered by many to be one of the most beautifully refined chronographs ever made.

The Design

The watch displays a finely-grained, silvered dial with applied Arabic and baton numerals. The two sub-dials, at three and nine o'clock are the thirty-minute and sub-seconds registers, respectively, with engine-turned patterning at the centre. The dial is classically understated, balancing the outer five-minute divisions and tachymeter scale perfectly. The watch displays five hands - hours, minutes, and seconds for the time, with seconds and minute hands for the chronograph.

Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed, with the chronograph highly legible in a variety of lighting conditions. With its 36 mm case diameter, the size of the47101is classically inspired - featuring down-turned, angularlugs and a polished, chamfered bezel. The snap-on, display case-back, features the Maltese cross and manufacturer's hallmarks, along with its unique reference numbers.

Most commonly seen in yellow gold, this platinum example with monochromatic dial isperhapsconsidered as one of the more versatile configurations, attuned to contemporary taste. The down-turned, elongated lugs helpthe watch to wear a little larger than the traditional sizing would suggest.

The Movement

The reference 47101 integrates Vacherons 21-jewel, manual-winding, 1140 caliber, based upon a thoroughly re-worked Nouvelle Lemania 2320 bauche - much like the Patek Philippe Ref. 5070. The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping. The movement uses a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, self-compensating Breguet spring and swan-neck micrometer regulator.

The Set

This Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques Chronograph comes with an Extract from the Archives. It is accompanied by one of our tapered,greygrained calfskin straps, along withthe watches corresponding Vacheron Constantin platinum tang buckle.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Les Historiques Chronograph 47101/000P-4will be subject to 20% VAT. Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look