Vacheron Constantin

Sometimes it may feel like the world is against the vintage watch collector.  So many fakes and frankens out there...but at least we can look out for each other!

Currently on fleabay is a Chronometre Royal pocket watch offered by a large watch dealer.  Examination of the movement reveals that it is missing the swan-neck fine regulator.  While this seller is asking a hefty price, it appears they haven't bothered to verify its timekeeping or condition :-(

Also disturbing is a piece offered by the German auction house Dr. Crott which is comming up for auction soon.  The Ref. 4870 wristwatch was discussed extensively on THL Vacheron forum and revealed as a franken, with parts from at least three models.  For their 22% commission, this auction house doesn't seem to do their homework either.  A note sent to them several days ago has gone unanswered and the item is still in their online catalog.

Caveat emptor!

 

I think you could be the first Vacheron Constantin detective - helping them ferret out all the non-originals/frankens/fakes. 

It would be a great service in cleaning up the market for vintage VCs.  Unfortunately I don't think its a priority for the company.

BR, Dan

FYI, Crott did reply to my email today, acknowledging the information but nothing else.

While it seems that VC is ambivalent in their support for the vintage market on the whole, the few personal contacts I've had with people in the Heritage Dept have been very helpful.  I'll always maintain that a healthy vintage community directly supports the brand's image, if not necessarily immediate sales.  With their attention until recently so firmly on a few specialized markets, VC (or Richemont, for who knows how much of their overall strategy is mandated from above) was missing this "big picture".  The results of the PuristS survey are already very interesting...and surprising for Vacheron!

into the dubious goings-on in the vintage market, and contribute myself when I come across such examples. I hope that this forum can educate collectors about what to look for when purchasing a vintage watch, and certainly to take a very careful approach to purchasing such watches. Vacheron Constantin's Heritage Department is a wonderful and willing source of information and should be consulted before making a purchase.

Building and maintaining a collection of vintage watches is a very rewarding pursuit, and I encourage it for those so inclined. Just do it carefully.

 

Bill