Doc
1720
Dean my friend, and hero :-)
It's something quite 'normal' if we consider the history!
Between 1944 and 1955 Vacheron&Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre was one company.
In plain words, it would not have been any V&C today, at least not one who had produced watches continiuously since 1755,
if not Charles Constantin had realised this.
He is a man that has got much to less, if any, credit for what he did.
He if anyone saved The Old Firm!
After the WW II Georges Ketterer became the Chairman of the Board for the company, "JLC and V&C".
There were really never any discussions that the richer JLC should swallow V&C, thanks heaven!
Ketterer's heart did beat for V&C, of course, and finally he had enough to buy V&C out of the conglomerate, 1955.
He died to soon, as his son did, and then came the 'dirty' period, by the Oil Minister, who only was after the Estate,
but luckily enough, it was forbidden for a foreigner to own Swiss Real Estates, and he had to do something with the watch production.
In came Proellochs who really in modern time saved Vacheron&Constantin, he also has got to little credit!
I have met him several times, and he is a renaissance man if anyone!
He has very deep historical knowledge, and loved the Old Maison!
He did only one big misstake, as both Dean and I see.
He dropped the ampersand , & .
Anyway V&C used JLC's movements, but refined them many times more than JLC ever managed.
JLC was really an ebauche producer, so how many JLC movements there are out there, we will never know.
One thing is for sure, don't think of buying a V&C from an unknown source any longer!!
These fakes will be common.
Next step will be with hallmarks on the right place, as well as production numbers, both inside back AND on the movement,
that will match the year a certain vintage watch was produced!
Don't forget they even shared the same boxes, with both names, I think you have one, Dean?
Cheers
Doc
Fleabay Alert
Goodness, another Eastern European fake :-( What is offered: And what it should be: V&C calibre 477 bumper-winding...
Another dog in the kennel of fake VC's!
With a movement that shows finest possible finishing if you're using a hacksaw! ;-) Bill Lind VC Forum Moderator
'Tis the Season for fake calendars
This "dog" has a re-worked LeCoultre movement. They also went to the expense of faking the case and movement markings....
Dean my friend, and hero :-)
It's something quite 'normal' if we consider the history! Between 1944 and 1955 Vacheron&Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre was one company. In plain words, it would not have been any V&C today, at least not one who had produced watches continiuously since 1...
Hey Doc
I don't have any hybrids, or their boxes, but I've certainly seen them - seems the JLC association was sold especially hard in the American market under Wittnauer. That bit of advertising slight-of-hand has left us with some headaches today like the VXN m...
