Vacheron Constantin 4178

Vacheron Constantin Ref. 4178 An extremely attractive, scarce and well-preserved pink gold chronograph wristwatch with two-tone pink dial and pulsometer scale

Manufacturer : Vacheron Constantin Year : 1945 Reference No : 4178 Movement No : 446’245 Case No : 288'891 Material : 18K pink gold Calibre : Manual, cal. 434, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Leather Clasp/Buckle : Gilt stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions : 36mm Diameter Signed : Case, dial and movement signed Accessories : Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1945Many vintage (and modern) Vacheron Constantin creations are recognisable for the distinctive “fancy” lugs style. From the famous “Cornes de Vache” to the present half-teardrop design, the company has always managed to fuse elegance and flamboyance in an inimitable manner. This watch is a superbly preserved example of such ineffable designs which exemplifies that over the course of about 70 years their appeal has not waned a bit, if anything it has grown. The present creation is a masterpiece from the mid-20th century, notable not only for its pink gold case, but furthermore for its ton-sur-ton salmon dial bearing a superbly preserved two-tone finish and, incredibly, a pulsometer scale. While the most common scale found on vintage chronographs is the tachymeter, other scales have been employed in watchmaking (telemeter scale, tide indication scale, units-per-minute scale, asthmometer and so forth). The present pulsometer scale gives out the pulse of the patient after counting 30 heartbeats - a longer measurement than the usually seen 15 pulsations which increases the accuracy of the reading.