I was thinking either VC or . . .

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the quick response. I thought about sending it directly to Vacheron, but I also thought that it might be pretty expensive and time consuming for a vintage piece. Everything works fine with the movement, but being that it is a vintage piece I thought I would have it serviced before wearing it constantly to reduce any additional wear from lack of recent service.

I would imagine that VC would charge more to service a vintage piece than a modern one, no? I was also thinking about RGM, who are pretty well-known for their work on vintage watches. What do you think? If I do send it to Vacheron directly, what would be the best way? Going through a dealer or sending it to VC directly (if directly, is there a service center in North America that I could send it to?).

Also, how common or rare is this movement? I know AP used it for a brief period. What years was it used and when did they stop using it and why? Was it slimmness? I know that they used the 1120 (JLC960) which is about half as thick as the 1072, but is that the only reason? Price perhaps. Is the 1072 a particularly expensive movement or is it just not as efficient or "good" (for lack of a better word) as some of the newer slimmer movements used later like the JLC889 (which is slimmer than the 1072, and probably cheaper than the 1120). Patek used their thick cal. 27-460 until the mid 80's I think, during which time they did have access to the slim JLC960, but still used the 27-460. Is it that these older thicker automatics are just "overbuilt"?

Thanks once again for the info.

Vacheron cal. K1072/1

By: N : July 21st, 2009-22:51

Hello everyone, Does anyone know about the serviceability of the VC cal. K1072/1. Is it generally considered a "robust" movement, or is it more delicate like the 1120? I know that it's pretty thick at around 5mm, but are there any particular areas or desi...

I understand the 1072 to be robust...

By: WHL : July 22nd, 2009-07:29

though I have never owned one long enough to go through the servicing of one. I have also had the predecessor movements (calibers 499 and 1019) and both worked great while I had them. Were you planning to send the watch to VC or do the work yourself (or b...

I was thinking either VC or . . .

By: N : July 22nd, 2009-09:56

Hi Bill, Thanks for the quick response. I thought about sending it directly to Vacheron, but I also thought that it might be pretty expensive and time consuming for a vintage piece. Everything works fine with the movement, but being that it is a vintage p...

VC North Amercian service...

By: WHL : July 22nd, 2009-11:08

Here is the address to directly send the watch to VC: VC Service Center 15100 Trinity Blvd., Suite 300 Fort Worth, TX 76155 Package it carefully, ship it insured and tracked, and include a letter of what you would like done. They will send you an estimate...

The K1072/1 is considered a classic

By: dshao1 : July 22nd, 2009-17:52

There are some inherent, technical, trade-offs in making a calibre very thin. This is the major reason that it is such a challenge and the 1120 (and manual 1003) is such an achievement. I have an 1120 and use it regularly and it seems robust enough for me...

Very serviceable and very robust.

By: mkvc : July 27th, 2009-18:47

I own two of the Audemars implementation (their caliber 2071, without date and with swan's neck regulator). They are extremely sturdy: the four ruby wheels on the winder make it much stronger than its contemporaries. They are also relatively simple moveme...