Ref. 4822 is called “cioccolatone” by Italian collectors due to its shape. Several variatons exist manual winding Ref. 4822 the self-winding Ref. 4764 and 6440 with calendar and moon phases; Ref. 6440 with center seconds; Ref. 6440Q with date. These models are the most admired and sought-after wristwatches of the 1950s. Vacheron Constantin always innovative was clearly ahead of its time in offering a model so unusual in size and shape. Particularly pleasing was the rounded outline of the case with its superimposed “levels”. At the time it was made in yellow gold more rarely in pink gold and only two examples in white gold. It was reintroduced as of 2003 with a guilloche dial and was launched under the name “Toledo” with a platinum case. For a similar watch in white gold see lot 130 and in yellow gold see lots 220 and 221.