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Vacheron Constantin Aluminum Pocket Watch Ref. 4348

4348 439/7 44.5mm aluminum pocket watch vacheron constantin vintage
MarktheTime
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Finally found one!! Gorgeous, rare and insanely light, this nearly 100% aluminum Vacheron & Constantin pocket watch is reportedly one of about 271 ever produced. Originally conceived by a Vacheron agent for the Canadian Aluminum Limited group in the late 1930s, and later delivered to several European aluminum manufacturers as well, most were awarded in the 1940s and 50s to employees celebrating 25 years of service, and to select executives and visiting dignitaries. NEARLY EVERY COMPONENT - from the case (44.5mm) and hands to the wonderful Breguet numerals, as well as the beautifully finished movement ticking inside - is fashioned from pure aluminum. It’s hard to fathom the technical difficulty of that, or to convey just how light it is at about 20 grams…so I’ve included a handy chart for your reference. Just one strawberry! Or four small coins! Thanks to all here and on Instragram (where I’m also @MarktheTime) who helped educate/captivate me on the history and rarity (and coolness!) of these feather-light treasures, and who helped to bring this supremely minty example into my collection. You know who you are.

IMG_0017.webp IMG_9825.webp IMG_0004.webp
 
IMG_0010.mov - 34 MB
Canuck
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Beautiful condition! The aluminum case shows its age very well for its 67 years of existence.
 
MarktheTime
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Canuck Canuck
Beautiful condition! The aluminum case shows its age very well for its 67 years of existence.
Yes, and the movement inside is equally pristine, and beautifully finished as you would expect from Vacheron. Truly amazing piece of horological history. Thanks.
 
JimInOz
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If you ever have the need to open the case we would really like to see some good photos of the movement.
 
ErichKeane
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That is super cool. It is obviously gorgeous, but I'm impressed by the engineering as well! Has anyone else taken better photos of the movement?

How does it run? Any idea on service history?
 
MarktheTime
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I hope to be able to post a shot/video of the movement shortly. I’ve seen it, and it’s gorgeously finished. Truly amazing.
 
MarktheTime
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
That is super cool. It is obviously gorgeous, but I'm impressed by the engineering as well! Has anyone else taken better photos of the movement?

How does it run? Any idea on service history?
Running beautifully - keeping great time over the first 36 hours or so that I’ve had it. I don’t know the service history.
 
MarktheTime
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As promised, a quick video of the beautifully finished aluminum (!!) movement, courtesy of the watchmaker in Slovakia (!!) from whom I bought it…. (@renove_by_tuloki on Instagram). Oh, and with its original box as well. 😉

IMG_5233.webp
 
MarktheTime
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Video below…sorry first try wouldn’t upload due to size. Courtesy of the watchmaker from whom I acquired it - in Slovakia all places! @renove_by_tuloki on Instagram.
Edited:
 
ee9367e8-2754-4682-b5f8-20475f7e2b82.mov - 7 MB
gatorcpa
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MarktheTime MarktheTime
Originally conceived by a Vacheron agent for the Canadian Aluminum Limited group in the late 1930s, and later delivered to several European aluminum manufacturers as well, most were awarded in the 1940s and 50s to employees celebrating 25 years of service, and to select executives and visiting dignitaries.
Here is an example of this watch that was not presented by an aluminum manufacturer:

1781440791004.webp 1781440876192.webp
https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/auc...5uaelEYmKRwaWephRAHYq9SKnWL7CEsGjYQ4yANf8iPP6

But it definitely was presented by one dignitary to another.
gatorcpa
 
MarktheTime
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Yes, in addition to 25 year employee service awards, a number were presented to senior execs, and apparently visiting dignitaries- including the President of the Philippines, and a couple others I’ve come across. The example below taken from an old Antiquorum catalog celebrating Vacheron’s 250th anniversary in 2005 (along with 3 they sold at that time).

IMG_9901.webp IMG_9900.webp IMG_9899.webp IMG_9897.webp IMG_9898.webp
 
MarktheTime
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I’m sure it’s a tremendous longshot, but if anybody has one of these and would be willing to share the movement number, case number and engraving of their example with me here, or in a private message, I’d be really appreciative. Trying to build a list of known examples, and to track down others from the same Rorschach factory of aluminumwerke AG in Saint Gallen, Switzerland, like mine (as seen in the movement video above). Thanks in advance!
 
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