I have regretted selling my automatic Vacheron & Constantin ref 4870 to a friend several years ago. Luckily I was able to find a VC Batman Ref 6694 with a unique watch case.
This is another Vacheron & Constantin Reference: 4996, Calibre: P454/5B, manual winding watch with a 35mm diameter watch and screw back case from the 1950s. It has an interesting lugs look similar to the Ref 6694 Batman but the ref 4996 lugs straighter and longer. The watch case looks like a space ship. Some collectors named this as Devil's Horn.
Most traditional watch design are either round, square or rectangular in shape. To be able to break the norm during 1950-60s requires confidence and futuristic eyes as well as a strong desires for self expression. Often such design will result in extreme views namely either you like it or hate it. It’s a design that’s is acceptable for certain small group of watch collectors.
For my watch collection, besides collecting the Rolex Prince & Bubbleback, some Rolex sports, i shall focus mainly on watches with unique case design, and with case size above 35mm plus screw back case as part of my streamlined criteria. There are many nice VC watches 30-32mm diameters but i need to be discipline enough to stay focus.
The Vacheron Constantin ref 4996 has a nice screw back case. I have just send the watch for a complete service and awaiting its return.
lugs look similar to the REF 6694 Batman but the ref 4996 lugs straighter and longer.
I have goggled the Internet and only found three similar examples from the Internet. One from a watch website, another from auction and the tird on a watch market place.
Model/Reference: 4996, Movement No: 495827, Case No: 342219,Calibre: P454/5B
Model/Reference: 4996, Movement No: 495834 , Case No: 342226,Calibre: P454/5B
There are several differences between the two namely one is snap back vs screw back case and there are also differences at the lugs' design plus one is 35mm and another 37mm.
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