Vacheron Constantin minute-repeating wristwatches were produced in 36 examples in all in pink yellow white gold and platinum : 17 examples in 1942 9 in 1944 and 10 in 1951. Only ten examples of the large extra-flat minute-repeating wristwatches with a 13 movement (31 thickness total thickness including the glass 5.8 mm) were made: 8 in yellow gold one in pink gold and the present watch in platinum. This outstanding wristwatch was developped by Vacheron Constantin in collaboration with Dubois-Dépraz. According to collectors and professionals worldwide this model is the most beautiful minute repeating wristwatch made during the last 50 years. This watch was sold by Antiquorum October 17 and 18 1992lot 417. What is a Minute Repeater? A minute repeating watch tells the time both visually and audibly. A slide on the side of the case usually near the 9 will activate two hammers in the movement. These hammers strike two gongs curled within the case. First one hammer strikes a gong of lower tonality; it will count out the hours. Then both hammers will strike both gongs alternatively to count out the quarter hours after that hour and then the second hammer alone striking a gong of higher tonality will count out the minutes after that quarter hour.The repeating mechanism was developed by Daniel Quare. In 1687 he patented a mechanism that sounded the hours and the quarter hours.The early repeaters used bells. At the end of the 18th century two bent-wire gongs became the more popular mechanism.In 1892 the first minute repeater wristwatch was produced by Omega a model with a round-shaped case.The repeating device was invented and patented by Daniel Quare a famous English watchmaker in 1690. Repeating watches allowed their owner to know the time under any circumstances: at night or in a dark street for example. They also made it possible for the blind to tell the time. Since that time most watchmakers and manufacturers have created quarter and minute repeating watches.The first minute repeating wristwatch ever known was made by Omega in 1885. Since the beginning of the 20th century many of the most important creators watchmakers or manufacturers have produced minute repeating wristwatches always in limited editions for the most sophisticated collectors in the world.