Vintage
Anon438's discovery of a rare 1930s Vacheron Constantin on eBay sparked a fascinating discussion among collectors. This unique rectangular timepiece, featuring a hinged case and integrated folding clasp, represents a 'technical dead end' in watch development, making its preservation and restoration a compelling topic for enthusiasts.
The watch at
Well pretty cheap, congratulations. (I wasn't the buyer.) I guess the watch would easily increase strongly in value if treated the right and proper way. But what would be your suggestion how to proceed with this collectors item? - case restore? - restore mechanism mechanic? - restore the stepped bezel? - full service to the movement? - what about the dial? Rework or not? - commission a bespoke strap? What would be your choice and why would you do this and not that?
Dear timeset I'm not sure the reference number . Are you sure its only showed side photos.I donot know the difference between them. In addition, and , in my opinion, in the same case shape. How to distinguish the two similar models? best regards
Hi Student, Welcome back here. There is no difference between those refs 3317 - 3318 - because they share the same case number. 1930 Vacheron & Constantin ref 3183 / 3184, is something completely different, a pocket watch with alternative time display:
- 3318 also share the same case number?
The sold watch has a different number, therefore there are more than one watch of those ref 3317. The folding mechanism looks like a patented design. I would expect there are some more samples out there. But over the long term the technical concept may show not reliant. The operating forces for the clasp may be to high for the softness of the used 18K gold. I guess the use of the clasp would cause damage to the case over the time.
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