Vacheron & Constantin Ref. 4885 Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1953
Maker / issuer
Vacheron ConstantinThis 18K yellow gold wristwatch, reference 4885, was manufactured by Vacheron & Constantin in 1953. It features an oversized three-body case measuring 37 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness, characterized by a polished and brushed finish, a rounded bezel, concave lugs, and a snap-on case back.
The watch houses the manually-wound caliber P454/5B, a rhodium-plated movement featuring fausses cotes decoration, 17 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, a shock absorber, and a swan-neck regulator. The movement, which operates with a monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring, drives an indirect center seconds mechanism. The black dial includes yellow gold dart indexes and a concentric minute and seconds track, complemented by yellow gold baton hands.
The dial, case, and movement are signed by the manufacturer. The auction description records the case number as 334309 and the movement number as 495224.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1953
- Type
- Hand-wound wristwatch
- Maker
- Vacheron & Constantin
- Reference
- 4885
- Case Number
- 334309
- Jewel count
- 17
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Dimensions
- 37 mm diameter, 10 mm thickness
- Movement Number
- 495224
- Movement Caliber
- P454/5B
- Maker / attribution
- Vacheron & Constantin
Design
- Case and Dial
- The timepiece features an 18K yellow gold three-body case, finished with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces. It is constructed with a rounded bezel, concave lugs, and a snap-on case back, measuring 37 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness. The exterior configuration is consistent with the reference 4885 classification. The black dial displays yellow gold dart-style hour indexes, arranged around a concentric minute and seconds track. The time is indicated by yellow gold baton hands. The auction documentation notes that the dial shows signs of patination.
- Visible features
- • Black dial with gold dart hour markers • Concave lug design on the 18K yellow gold case • Concentric track for minutes and seconds • Yellow gold baton style hands
- Movement and Escapement
- Power is provided by the caliber P454/5B, a manually wound mechanical movement. It is finished with rhodium plating and fausses cotes decoration, incorporating 17 jewels. The technical specification includes an indirect center seconds function and a straight-line lever escapement. Regulation is managed by a swan-neck regulator, and the balance assembly includes a shock absorber, a monometallic balance adjusted for temperatures, and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring.
- Signatures and Condition
- The watch is signed by the manufacturer on the dial, the case, and the movement. Identification numbers recorded for this example include movement number 495224 and case number 334309. The auction report assigns a grading of 'AA' overall. Specifically, it assesses the case condition as '3' (Good), the movement condition as '2*' (Very good), and the dial condition as '2-10-01' (Very good). The hands are reported as original.
Identification
- Reference
- 4885
- Serial number
- 334309
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The auction description recommends an overhaul of the movement.
- Research required: The dial is noted as having signs of patination.