Fleabay Alert

The model featured is a 1935 Jubilee wrist watch issued to commemorate 150 years of V&C history (at the time it was believed their patrimony began in 1785). The Great Depression had severely strained the Manufacture so this limited series was constructed using unwanted Lepine-type pocket watch movements, hence the crown at 12 o'clock. With this approach they could offer them at very attractive prices and the resulting financial success has been credited with sustaining V&C through difficult times.

Here are some examples from Antiquorum's archives:

The fleabay example:

Three distinct features lead me to believe this is a redial, undisclosed by the self-declared "Expert" dealer. Anyone care to comment on what they see?

3 red flags

By: walidk : April 29th, 2012-04:24

Yes!!! I quite like these exercises: 1. The Roman numerals: I have seen a number of variations on this model, but not with Roman numerals. In any case, if it were to follow V&C trends the numerals would most likely be at 12,3,6, and 9 with markers on ...

The printing details

By: WHL : April 29th, 2012-06:04

1) The Vacheron & Constantin signature is incorrect 2) The dividing of the subseconds into quadrants is wrong 3) Swiss Made is at least one word too many.

Congratulations to both!

By: Tick Talk : April 29th, 2012-10:44

Yes, indeed, all the relevant points were covered very well. Bill is an old hand at spotting these, and Walid I'm so pleased that you were able to find the references that led to such astute observations! Perhaps some day we can greatly reduce the amount ...

Thanks!

By: walidk : April 29th, 2012-13:07

Coming from you, its an honour! But the problem is more of a catch-22 than anything. The more information put out there about the pieces, the history, and how to spot fakes, the more 'educated' their sellers become. Looking at some postings on the bay, yo...

Great ideas, but of course...

By: Tick Talk : April 29th, 2012-13:47

a numbers check on this piece wouldn't reveal anything about the dial. The other issue of franken watches with cobbled parts from JLC and V&C ebauches can also fool an archival records check as long as they've retained the part with the legit serial n...

Redial

By: lsmith : April 29th, 2012-16:25

Yep, the redial should have been pointed out. And yes, it is an expert buyer/seller, who should know better. The hands, crown and case look pretty good though. Not worth the asking price, but not the most overpriced V&C on the bay for sure. I just saw...

the original 1935 Jubilee model actually had the seconds at 9!

By: alex : April 30th, 2012-00:54

same pendant movement as the ones pictures but crown placed at 3 which consequently rotates the seconds at 9. This watch inspired the layout of the Patrimony Traditionnelle automatic....

Cool! Any more info...

By: Tick Talk : April 30th, 2012-07:26

Alex, was there actually 150 examples of that version with seconds at 9 o'clock? Any special engraving?

Found a reference Alex

By: Tick Talk : April 30th, 2012-19:04

Pg 126 of Cologni's Secrets of Vacheron Constantin tells this story, which I've partially excerpted here... ...Time seemed to smile on Vacheron Constantin in 1935, which everyone believed would be the last of the dark years. In that year the firm, which s...

Hi Dean, I don't have production numbers but 150 for the time seems

By: alex : May 2nd, 2012-06:52

huge! I don't have info on case back inscriptiins either...sorry :-(