Calatrava - Claw Lugs

We are pleased to present this Vacheron Constantin reference 4526, an elegant mid-century dress watch distinguished by its sculptural “claw” lugs and 18k pink gold case.

Measuring 35.5 mm in diameter, the watch possesses a particularly balanced presence on the wrist. The slim bezel allows the dial to occupy much of the case’s surface, while the flat profile and elongated, fluted lugs lend the design a distinctive architectural character.

The silver-toned dial is exceptionally well preserved. Its fine outer minute track provides a precise visual frame, complemented by applied Arabic numerals and rose gold baton indices. The combination is both restrained and distinctive, reflecting a period in which Vacheron Constantin’s dress watches were defined by proportion, craftsmanship and subtle design details rather than ornament.

The use of pink gold is an important aspect of this example. While yellow gold was more commonly encountered among watches of this type, pink gold cases were produced in considerably smaller numbers, adding a particular interest to the reference.

The case also bears the Geneva Key No. 4 hallmark, associated with Antoine Gerlach, a respected Geneva case maker whose work is particularly familiar to collectors of early precious-metal Patek Philippe Calatrava watches. Gerlach’s cases were also supplied to several other important Swiss manufacturers, including Vacheron Constantin. 

At the heart of the watch is the manually wound Vacheron Constantin calibre P454/5B, a movement representative of the manufacture’s refined approach to traditional dress-watch construction.

A compelling example of 1950s Geneva watchmaking, this reference 4526 brings together an unusually appealing case design, a well-preserved dial and the historical significance of one of the great Swiss maisons.

Dial: Exceptionally well preserved, with applied pink gold Arabic numerals and baton indices.

Case: 35.5 mm 18k pink gold case in excellent condition, unpolished. The gold hallmark on the back of the lug remains intact. The distinctive “claw” lugs retain their fluted profile.

Movement: Manually wound Vacheron Constantin calibre P454/5B.