Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques Chronograph 47101/3, Yellow Gold

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 Vacheron’s iconic reference 4178, 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 watch displays an engine-turned, black 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 47101/3 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 our Milano black saffiano strap and corresponding yellow-gold tang buckle.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	Vacheron Constantin
Model:	Les Historiques Chronograph 47101/3
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding Cal. 1140
Functions:	chronograph, hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	tachymetre scale, tear-drop lugs, display back
Case:	36mm yellow-gold
Crystal:	sapphire front and display back
Strap:	Milano black saffiano strap, corresponding yellow-gold Vacheron Constantin tang buckle
Lug/buckle:	18/16 mm
Year:	1996
Box & papers:	Archive Extract