TheRolexMan
Member
This is a 1945 Vacheron & Constantin 44mm reference number 4348 ultra rare all aluminum pocket watch, presented in 1950. An experiment in metals, this watch is composed case, Breguet hands and numbers, dial, and movement plates, entirely from aluminum. Only essential parts made from traditional materials, like the balance wheel, train, escapment, etc. Even the crown and bow are made from aluminum. One like it was given as a gift to the Prime Minister of the Philippines in early 1950s and sold at Antiquorum. In fact, one Italian dealer who is selling this very watch right now for $17,000 Canadian dollars makes the claim that this Prime Minister ordered it in aluminum because of the rust-causing salt at the marina, but this must be more of a fable than a real story. Most likely Aluminum Company of Canada or one of its' satellites gave it as a gift to Magsaysay to foster trade and to promote Canada's aluminum industry in the post WWII era. Average price now is about 6-8K U.S.D. Movement is 17J. Watch winds, sets, runs, and keeps time. Only 271 pieces were produced between 1945 and 1950, making this a truly rare watch in an age when this word is over-used. Examples surface made as late as 1955 but there is no reason to suspect that more than 300 pieces exist.
$10,500.00 or best reasonable offer.
$10,500.00 or best reasonable offer.