The reference 4240 was the first triple calendar wristwatch to be serially produced by Vacheron and Constantin. Released in 1942, it was available in two configurations: the 4240 and 4240L for Lune (French for Moon) which signified the moon phase variant as in this example. Vacheron and Constantin have a long history of making complicated watches, the earliest known example being a full calendar pocket watch from 1790. This piece exhibits a French calendar in red, displayed by two apertures and a central date hand on the beautiful two-tone silver dial. The Patina: This is an example of a watch that has been subjected to the entropic effects of wear and time. The discolouration of the light silver dial is likely from small amounts of moisture trapped within the case and reacting with the paint. This similarly causes a darkening of the date ring and the oxidisation of the metal moon phase wheel and gold hands. The paint at the edge of the sub-seconds recess is starting to shrink and peel away from where it is cut from the main dial and the telltale signs of watchmaker intervention are also present as shown by the scratches found haphazardly across the surfaces. Exaggerated by age but still largely invisible to the naked eye.
