A look back at the Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952

The Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 watch has been reborn with a full-calendar movement and a handsome new dial face

The Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 Watch – the old and the new

The mysterious wizardry and intricate workings of a complex horological mechanism have always added a touch of magic to the face of time. This point was perfectly illustrated by Vacheron Constantin’s original nineteen-fifties-era Toledo 1952. Over hundreds of years of watchmaking the Vacheron Constantin experience and pride of craftsmanship came together in its subtly rectangular case. It housed a movement whose auxiliary full-calendar mechanism stylishly enlivened its dialed face. Displaying the date, day of the week, month and phases of the moon. All this resulted in three 21st-century Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 designs, forming harmonious compositions, with the finest materials enhancing the intricacy of its mechanical heart in a serenely classic spirit.

The trio rounds out a collection whose striking stepped case displayed a neat decor handsomely cambered curves and sensually rounded bracelet attachments. The new Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 is available in platinum as well as in white or yellow gold. Discreetly marking the hours and minutes, simple baton-style hands let the slate or silver-toned dial, protected by a slightly cambered crystal, speak for itself with elegance. Its silvery circular date calendar with blued steel pointer is set against vertical pinstripe guilloché work.The dial also bears four Arabic numerals and four applied hour markers in 18K gold on the dial’s raised area. Discreetly framed at 6 o’clock by a track for the seconds, the moon-phase display features a front plate whose starry decor matches the disc’s endlessly waxing and waning moon.

The fine detailing of the Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 watches is echoed by technical excellence throughout. Bearing the corporate Maltese cross symbol, the crown corrects the hours, minutes and day-of-the-week display. Actioned by a corrector stylus, three pushpieces flush with the case flank control the month, date and moon-phase indications.

The new Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 watches naturally includes a fine example of hundreds of years worth of horological expertise. With a movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and adjusted in five positions, the 36-jewel selfwinding caliber 1125 movement provides over 40 hours of reserve power. In Vacheron’s grandest workshop traditions, the movement bridges and bars have been shaped and their edges bevelled by hand, the sides of components delicately decorated with parallel file strokes and screw heads carefully polished. Testifying to the endless patience, acute pride in Vacheron’s workmanship and centuries of expertise, the caliber 1125 movement’s appearance and performance confirm the enduring vigor of the many centuries-old trades that contribute to every Vacheron Constantin timepiece.

With its discreet godroon decor, the Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 case comes with a padded and hand-stitched alligator mississipiensis leather strap—night blue on the platinum model, brown for the yellow gold and black for the white gold version. A standard buckle in the corresponding precious metal also bears the corporate Maltese cross symbol. The watch’s individual production numbers are engraved on its case and movement alike. Limited to just 100 watches in all, the platinum model is numbered by hand opposite 9 o’clock on the case flank.

Vacheron Constantin Toledo 1952 Technical specifications

Reference:
47300/000G-9064 47300/000J-9065 and 47300/000P-9067
Caliber: 1125 selfwinding
Movement thickness: 5.53 mm
Movement diameter: 26.60 mm
Jewelling: 36
Power reserve is 40 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Indications: Hour, minutes, seconds, date, day of the week, month, phases of the moon
Case: 950 platinum or yellow or white 18K gold
Dial: Slate-colored or silver-toned, vertically engine-turned at center, applied Arabic numerals and hour markers in 18K gold, silvery circular date calendar with Arabic numerals
Water resistant  to 30 m (approx 100 feet)
Strap: Night-blue, brown or black padded and hand-stitched alligator mississipiensis leather
Buckle: standard type, in 950 platinum or yellow or white 18K gold