A Vacheron Constantin solid eighteen carat gold pink gold mechanical 'Tank' style pavé diamond set watch.  This is an exceptional quality and exceptionally rare watch from one of the world's finest watch makers. When one comes to think of this historical marque they do not think of such extravagance. Vacheron Constantin are known for their subtle, refined and restrained classic watches historically. This example is set so lavisly with diamonds that there is hardly a squre milimeter on the case or dial that exposes the raw metal.

The factory case and dial are expertly set with prong settings keeping each of the wonderfully clean and bright round brilliant cut diamonds secure. There is no visible branding to the front of the watch, die to the fact the choice was made to completely pavé set it. Some watch makers make a name plate into the classic placement between 10 and 2 on the dial. The solid gold dauphie hands ice skate over this magnificent dial.

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 1050/B. Vacheron Constantin’s calibre 1050, most often encountered as the cal. 1050/B (or K1050/B in this example), is a compact hand-wound movement built for the kind of watches where proportion matters as much as finishing. It is a manual-winding, 20-jewel movement, with a Gyromax balance.

The story of the 1050 is really the story of Vacheron’s early 1970s design language. By 1970 the movement is already documented in ladies’ bracelet watches, and in 1972 it becomes part of the technical backbone for the maison’s more radical case shapes, including the asymmetrical “Prestige de la France” / “1972” family. The quality and reliability of the movement allowed for Vacheron to explore thin, sculptural profiles, which suited the era’s push toward bolder forms without sacrificing refinement. It was engineered to be the movement of choice to keep everything slim on the wrist. 

The back side of the case is fully marked with the brand name for Vacheron Constantin and the unique hand engraved serial number dating the watch to having been made in 1955. There is also a double striking of the French eagle poinçon on the case back, meaning the watch was originally imported for sale in France. The interior of the case back has VC marks and Swiss marks along with the same case number repeated. The case is in excellent condition throughout, unpolished with very little wear

If you are looking for an alternative Tank shape, slim, glamorous evening watch, this is hard to ignore. One of the best names in Swiss watch making never disappoints. It also featues an original solid eighteen carat gold Vacheron Constantin signed deployant buckle, very much in the vein of the Cartier examples from the same period. The period burgundy alligator watch band really compliments this stunning watch. If you are looking for a more classic black, for example, we can assist in having one hand made.

The watch does not come with the original box or paperwork, and its service history is unknown. It is being sold keeping excellent time with a Foundwell one year warranty.