quattro
[Moderator]
18114
Overview of the Vacheron Constantin Toledo references
Nicknamed ‘Cioccolatone’ by Italian collectors because of its resemblance to a (melting?) filled chocolate, the curved square Toldeo case (‘carré galbé’ in French) was introduced in the 1950s.
During the 1950s and 1960s, six different references were produced.
Later, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Toldeo case was revisited and reinterpreted across seven different references.
On this site, WHL has written two important articles in 2014, when he was VC Moderator:
- In-depth Review: Vacheron Constantin Historiques Toledo 1951 (this article traces the history of the Toledo case)
- The Toledo 1951 side-by-side with the Toledo 1952
Best, Emmanuel
A/ REFERENCES FROM THE 1950s and 1960s
1/ REF. 4821
Small seconds, manual wind caliber 453
35 x 43 mm case (yellow gold below)
credit: casowatches
2/ REF. 4822
36 x 43 mm case (below, yellow or maybe pink gold)
Center seconds, manual wind cal. 454
credit: watchthemtick
3/ REF. 4737
36 x 43 mm case
Center seconds, automatic cal. 477 (and also later cal. 1019)
credit: menta watches
Platinum
credit: Phillips
4/ REF. 6440
36 x 43 x 12 mm case (below, yellow gold)
Center seconds, automatic cal. 1072
credit: Menta Watches
5/ REF. 6440Q
36 x 43 mm case (below, yellow gold)
Center seconds & date, automatic cal. 1072
credit: the keystone
6/ REF. 4764
36 x 43 mm case (below, yellow gold)
Calendar & moon phase, cal. 485/495
credit: Phillips (1) & Sjx
B/ REFERENCES FROM THE 1990s
1/ REF. 11100
Dim. 24 x 29 mm. Thickness 6 mm.
Hours & minutes caliber 1132
credit: orologieriatempus
2/ REF. 12100
Dim. 25 x 31 mm case. Thickness 8 mm
Caliber 1056 automatic
This particular yellow gold example, ref. Ref. 12100/474J-8709
credit: oriental horology
3/ REF. 31100
Dim. 28 x 33 mm case. Thickness 6 mm.
Hours & minutes manual cal. 1132-2
The yellow gold example below, ref. 31100/000J-3
credit: tokant
4/ REF. 39044
Dim. 27 x 33mm case. Thickness 9 mm. (below, yellow gold)
Cal. 1015
credit: @mattmcmhn on reddit
Regular ref. 39044 (I thought ref. 39044 was only the ref. of the 'Liberté' edition, but Antiquorum has a few regular examples referenced as 39044)
credit: antiquorum
5/ LES HISTORIQUES, REF. 42100
Dim. 32 x 38 x 7.30 mm case.
Center seconds, date, automatic cal. 1312
The white gold example below, ref. 42100/000g-8712
credit: prestige time
6/ LES HISTORIQUES TOLEDO 1952, REF. 47300
Dimensions 35 x 43 mm
Triple calendar moon phase automatic caliber 1125
White gold, ref. 47300/000G-9064
credit: Prestige Time
No. 57 of a platinum limited edition of 100, uniquely engraved for Jean Todt, chief executive officer of Ferrari from 2004 to 2008
credit: Christie’s
7/ LES HISTORIQUES TOLEDO 1951, REF. 86300/000R-9826
Case Dimensions 36.47 X 43.06 x 8.93 mm, rose gold
Automatic caliber 2460 SC
credit: ticking way & Vacheron Constantin (cal. 2460 SC)
C/ BONUS: TWO REFERENCES FROM THE 1950s WHICH SHARE SOME RESEMBLANCE WITH THE TOLEDO
1/ REF. 4890
Manual wind center seconds cal. 1002
credit: antiquorum & sotheby’s
credit: antiquorum & sotheby’s
2/ REF. 4963
Manual wind cal. 1003
credit: life on the wrist (1-2) & Goldammer
credit: life on the wrist (1-2) & Goldammer
Overview of the Vacheron Constantin Toledo references
Nicknamed ‘ Cioccolatone ’ by Italian collectors because of its resemblance to a (melting?) filled chocolate , the curved square Toldeo case (‘carré galbé’ in French) was introduced in the 1950s . During the 1950s and 1960s , six different references were...
Seductive and beautiful lines on these, quattro.
The larger ones wear quite large on the wrist.
I really like the shape of the Toledo case,
but, as you say, some references really seem to wear (too) large. I don’t have any hands-on experience unfortunately, but, judging from photos, my favorite reference would be 31100. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you! I would be very interested
to know how I would feel in front of a 31100. Maybe someday.
4737 or 47300? Or both?
Anyway both looks impressive, I agree. I just wonder about the size and fit on the wrist. Best, Emmanuel
The time-only....
Not the version that was customized for JT, even though it is beautiful in its own right. I simply prefer the 'cleaner' minimalist design....
🙂, also....
I have an innate repulsion to remembering reference numbers, whether VC, PP etc., I could obviously do so if I wanted to, but it was always kind of a failure of imaginative, original branding in my opinion. And this doesn't extend to just watches, but any...
I feel exactly the same way,
but, through the many posts, I got used to the numbers... Cheers, Emmanuel
Thank you so much, orahu.
I find this one attractive too, with the guilloché dial and Roman numerals... Best, Emmanuel
Neither have I, unfortunately.
Do you mean no. 5 and 6 from the 1950s or 1990s? Best, Emmanuel
Some surprising additions
Another excellent post my friend, rich in visual delights. The lovely carré galbé shape was shared with a few others! As for the offerings of V&C, your post presents so many desirable versions. However, this photo, saved from a Sotheby's catalog many year...
I hesitated to add the AP ref. 5063 as a bonus, but there were already many refs in the post.
On the other hand, I didn't know about the UN. Nor about this incredible bracelet 6440Q with only horizontal and vertical indexes. A very special piece! Thanks for sharing these most welcome additions. Best, Emmanuel
Great choice. This early center seconds ref. is wonderful.
And, yes, the pyramid hour markers are delightful.