jmousey
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A new challenger to TonyR’s 4955 has been found
My guess is that these bicentennial models must have cost a fortune when they were sold, because every example that been found have been in pristine condition (I know some have had their dials washed and the “automatic” text has disappeared, which is a bit of a shame). 
My first vintage watch arrived today..............
A 1955 Vacheron Constantin sub-second automatic watch in rose gold and I couldn't be happier with it! I want to give a shout out and special thanks to Tick-Talk. The article you did below a few months ago really helped me a lot with this purchase and I ca...
Now that's how you do vintage!
Well done and congratulations. Wear it in good health.
Thanks Nicolas.........
I'm not an expert buying vintage as a matter of fact the first one I tried to buy was a fake so I know there are plenty of pitfalls to avoid. In any event, a lot of your articles have been very helpful as well. Thank you my friend! Tony
Thanks......
I was super excited to get the watch and wasn't disappointed when I first strapped it on today!
Look at those lugs and dial condition, just wow and congratulations...
Like you, I never tread in the vintage market for fear of fakes or not previously loved watches...but this looks great. Rgds Raymond
I'm with you Raymond..........
I have avoided the vintage space for those same reasons. It's a lot of work to get up to speed as well so I just never really got involved. When I saw this piece I thought it was so damn sharp looking that I did care so much if I didn't get every detail r...
Wow, did not think it was 36mm
Looks much larger than that on your wrist. Great taste with your first vintage choice!
Yea it looks fairly large there because its an up close shot...........
Here is another wrist shot a little further away. The long lugs definitely help the watch appear to wear larger though. Thanks! Tony ...
Welcome to vintage VC!
The watch looks great. Do you know what movement is inside? A VC from 1955 with an automatic movement is a rare bird. Congratulations!
Nevermind Tony, I just read the link in your original post.
And see that Tick-Talk mentioned the details. Congrats again!
Thanks!....It's a calibre 498 which was VC's first automatic movement that used a central rotor.............
According to Tick-Talk's article, the movement was only used for 2 years so I don't think there are many of these in existence with this movement that were made in pink gold. One day I will get an extract for VC and try and get more info. Tony
Haute Horology and Good hunt
Wow does not get better than this . looks from modern era . well done . enjoy it.
Thanks, the watch was in great condition..........
If Vacheron did a limited edition re-issue of this piece one day I think it would do pretty well. They just would need to upsize the case a little to today's sizes of 38mm-40mm then shorten the lugs some to account for the larger size.
Oh wow, couldn't have started my day any better
What a sweet example of the ref 4956 sub-seconds automatic. Indeed, a rare bird! I've admired the photos on the seller's site and glad it found a good home. Any plans to service it for regular wear?
Thanks again for all of the guidence you provided within the above article.................
Your insight was extremely helpful and the main reason I was comfortable enough to purchase the watch! I don't know if you have ever dealt with Wanna Buy a Watch in W. Hollywood before (they sold me this watch as you know) but they were outstanding to dea...
I'm very greatful
that the stories I enjoy writing also helped a fellow enthusiasts. You are, sir, now a Vachonista
Oops, misread your post
thought it was your first but I gather you have contemporary VC as well. Still, a real leap forward when you graduate to vintage ;-)
Yes I have a few pieces in the Overseas line......
and your right, vintage is a whole different animal!
You picked a great watch for your first "oldie"!
That is beautiful and appears to be in superb condition. Congratulations, Tony.
A pure marvel...
Sometimes I wonder why brands don't manage to create such beauties now. Did they lose the recipe? the mojo? Big question mark. Fx
+1 ! I concur
Even the large "small second" is just perfecton this dial, a just perfect elegant design imo
Thanks Mike H!..........
The other thing that jumped out to me in regards to this watch was the different hour markers. I thought it made the dial very unique looking.
Totally agree about the hour markers but to add to its charm...
...I also love the minute track with these subtle golden pearls, simply discrete but so elegant... It reminds me of a treasure I was luky to own and that I stupidly let go, I still regret it terribly after many years... ...
Your right about the minute markers as well...........
But more importantly, how in the world did you let that one go?!
Please forgive me, I told you I bitterly regret it...
It was part of Les Collectionneurs series and was with a special certificate from Julien Marchenoir, the former head of the VC patrimony department. Rose gold case 36mm, fantastic condition with brushed and polished parts on the case, it was simply perfec...
Superb watch
case style appears the same as the 4958. Do you recall the reference and caliber?
Thanks FX, I agree with you on all of your points above...............
In the year 2000 Vacheron did a Jublie edition that carries somewhat of a resemblance to the vintage watches that Tick-Tock and I have. It was done in yellow gold and is 3mm's smaller then our pieces from the 1950's. Im not sure what they were thinking ma...
The FiftySix is ready for it
the base caliber already has the jewelled pivot for sub-seconds. Just a matter of time methinks...
If they re-issue these watches...........
Hopefully they do it with a Jublie or through the Historiques line. It would be a total shame if they wasted the opportunity on the FiftySix line.
Have to agree
although VC say the FiftySix design is based on a 1955 bicentennial model, it really isn't apparent to my eye. A more faithful vintage homage piece under the Historiques line would be just the thing.
Gorgeous piece. Would love to find something like this in a similar condition.
Enjoy it !! Cheers, John
A new challenger to TonyR’s 4955 has been found
My guess is that these bicentennial models must have cost a fortune when they were sold, because every example that been found have been in pristine condition (I know some have had their dials washed and the “automatic” text has disappeared, which is a bi...