Vacheron Constantin

Musings on the latest auction.....

 

Antiquorum’s sale this past weekend showed some mixed results for Vacheron Constantin. There were some time only watches that performed surprisingly well.  For example, Lot 323, a Ref 4651 from 1952 with an exquisite guilloche dial went above its estimate and sold for CHF 14,400, which due to the dollar’s slide is approximately the same in dollars:

Lot 324, a Ref 4361 with fancy “cornes de vache” lugs (found also on the extremely rare 6087 chronograph) sold for CHF 11,400, well over the high estimate of CHF 9000.



Lot 332, a rare Ref 6394Q, white gold automatic wristwatch went for 25% more than the estimate (CHF 16,800) :


MOre complicated, a beautiful triple date moonphase watch, Ref 4623, Lot 659, sold for CHF 33,600, over CHF 8000 than the high estimate:




That said, many basic vintage VC’s sold in their estimated ranges, including the beautiful Ref 4217, Lot 577, for CHF 5280:




More on this later.

A number of lots went unsold, perhaps due to high reserves, or perhaps there were problems with the watches that we do not know about. Included in this group were the minute repeater, Lot, 665:


and the chronographs of Lot 660 and 661 (662 was withdrawn), though Lot 663 sold for a healthy CHF 52,800.

Now back to the watches that performed as expected. These are mostly uncomplicated vintage manual winding as well as automatic watches, most in good or very good condition. They don’t typically have guilloche dials or fancy lugs, rather they would be considered clasical, elegant watches. I find these watches offer very compelling value on a number of levels. Qualitatively they are the equal of similar uncomplicated Patek Philippe watches from the same era (1940’s-1960’s) yet they trade at a discount to watches from that venerable name. In terms of cost they are inexpensive compared with currently produced Vacheron Constantin watches. Most of these sold for well less than $10,000. Considering that they are used and may show signs of wear, that they may need servicing, and that they don’t come under warantee, they trade for less than half what you would expect to spend for a currently produced VC from an authorized dealer. That is a bargain, even if you need to service the watch.

Nice as the Chronometer Royal 1907 is:


I’d rather have the Chronometer Royal as it originally was in a wristwatch:


at one-third (Lot 325) to one-half (Lot 333) the price.

Ditto the Patrimony Traditionnelle, which I think is a great watch:


when compared with this Ref 6732 (Lot 330):


If you are interested in owning a Vacheron Constantin because of the history of the brand and all it represents, and because of the absolute qualtiy of the watchmaking, but you are wary about spending a cars worth of money on a wristwatch, then I strongly suggest you consider exploring the world of Vacheron & Constantin wristwatches from the 1940’s to the 1960’s.


Bill 

 

This message has been edited by WHL on 2008-03-17 18:29:12