boast a lengthy and uninterrupted history of manufacture, dating back to 1755. The firm’s founder, Jean-Marc Vacheron, was one of many cabinotier-watchmakers who specialised in the production of complex components. Upon partnering with François Constantin, Vacheron (the brand) became widely-known for upholding the finest horological traditions - enamelling, piercing, engraving and engine-turning.

The Vacheron Constantin Ref. 47101 was introduced in 1989, as part of the brand’s Historiques collection - paying tribute to the Geneva watchmaker’s archives. The origins of the watch can be traced back to , from the 1940s - with its tachymeter scale and placement of the subsidiary dials - considered by many to be one of the most beautifully refined chronographs ever made. The majority of reference 47101s were cased in yellow gold, with very few examples thought to have been made in platinum.

The watch displays a finely-grained, silvered dial with applied Arabic and baton numerals. The two sub-dials, at three and nine o'clock are the thirty-minute and sub-seconds registers, respectively, with engine-turned patterning at the centre. The dial is classically understated, balancing the outer five-minute divisions and tachymetre scale perfectly. The watch displays five hands - hours, minutes, and seconds for the time, with seconds and minute hands for the chronograph. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed, with the chronograph highly-legible in a variety of lighting conditions. With its 36 mm case diameter, the size of the 47101 is classically inspired - featuring down-turned, tear-drop lugs and a polished, chamfered bezel. The snap-on, display case-back, features the Maltese cross and manufacturer's hallmarks, along with its unique reference numbers.

The reference 47101 integrates Vacheron’s 21-jewel, manual-winding, 1140 caliber, based upon a thoroughly re-worked ‘Nouvelle Lemania’ 2310 ebauche - much like the Patek Philippe Ref. 5070. The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping. The movement uses a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, self-compensating Breguet spring and swan-neck micrometer regulator.

This Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques Chronograph comes on a black saffiano strap and corresponding platinum tang buckle.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look