Rare and lightweight Swiss aluminium watch Circa 1948

Very rare, lightweight aluminium lever by Vacheron & Constantin
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A very rare and lightweight Swiss aluminium keyless wind pocket watch by Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, circa 1948. Nickel finish 17 jewels Swiss lever movement, cut and compensated bimetallic balance, adjusted to temperature. Silvered dial, applied Roman numerals, black outer minute divisions, steel hands and subsidiary seconds at 6. Polished aluminium open face case, inscription to back reads ‘Presented to Henry De Laet by Aluminium Limited 1948’. Case, dial and movement.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Weight 20 g
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin Genève
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The company Aluminium Limited specially commissioned Vacheron & Constantin to make a watch predominantly out of aluminium. The case and the plates were all made from the very light metal and produce an exceptionally light but sturdy watch. The watches were given as mementos for employees of the company that attained 25 years of service and were inscribed with a presentation inscription. It is rare for watches to be made of exotic materials especially in series making this a very unusual piece.