Vacheron Constantin

Hello everybody. 

I'm new to this forum and have been spending many hours pouring over past postings.

I recently fell in love with a gorgeous VC 1132.2 that I saw was already sold on ebay.  Initially, its thin case (and my research here) made me think that it was a 1003 caliber, but on closer examination of the auction I saw that it was a 1132.2.

Is there a good place to learn about the differences between these different calibers before I make my first purchase?  I love the look of the many 1003 photos that I've seen posted here, as well as the current extra-plates (with exhibition back!!) and contemporaine.

As an aside, I was chatting with a vintage watch dealer awhile ago, and he mentioned that some of the ultra-thin watches had reliability issues.  Are the thin VC models considered to be less reliable?

Aaron

There is certainly a lot to love with Vacheron Constantin.

Have you seen this post by TM in the VC Gallery:

vacheronref.watchprosite.com

It gives the details on the Piguet 8.10 movement that VC renames 1132. VC used that caliber in a number of its watches in the 1990's, often in thin watches that one would expect to find the 1003. There are some really fine watches with this caliber in it, my favorite being Les Historiques 1912.

That said, my preference would be for a watches with the 1003, which VC has been using since 1955. It was developed by JLC for use only by VC and AP. My experiences with the movement have only been good (I have had 3 watches with the 1003 in it-there were no problems). I think the 1003 is more historically important and more beautiful than the 1132. I don't know that I would say it is better. It is certainly more expensive to produce.

I have not seen any in-depth reviews of either the 1132 or 1003.

Good luck with your search for your first VC.

Bill

Bill -

Thanks for your response and for the excellent link.  Yes, I had found that link earlier and the photos in it are excellent.  I'm attaching a photo of the 1132 movement from the ebay listing that's higher quality than the one in the VC group link.  Feel free to add this photo to the list of caliber photos if you determine that it is in-fact an 1132!  I'm not qualified to authenticate the photo. 

I was intrigued by your comments on the historical significance and relative difficulty of constuction of the 1003 vs. the 1132.  This is just the kind of information I'm curious to learn about, as well as the aesthetic case/dial design decisions made in their respective eras.  It seems to me that the older watches with the 1003 movement don't have the maltese cross on the dial, whereas the 1132 models do.  I'm curious when it became possible to purchase the 1003 model with the maltese cross on the dial, as I find this to be a more appealing visually.

How did you decide that the 1003 is more beautiful than the 1132?  They look pretty much the same to me.

Aaron

 

Sorry, I'm new to this. Please forgive the double posting.  Here's the movement I meant to include in my previous posting.

 

Over the years VC has tried to substitue other movements for the venerable 1003 but a combination of history and technology has defeated the transition, and thank god for that!  The 1003 still remains the flattest manual movement and is finished to highest standards.  VC watch fans continue to demand the 1003 above all so, in response, CEO Charly Torres has stated the factory is working on the tooling to bring the manufacture of this movement entirely in-house within the next few years rather than continue to source the ebauche from JLC.

that the production of the caliber 1120 will also be brought in-house. I doubt whether VC's current in-house automatic is suitable for skeletonizing.

Bill

Flatness of movement and case design were historic traits of V&C.  I feel they were pulled away from that design ethic by the trend for needlessly large wrist watches (note the size of some movement spacers!!).  However, the declaration by Torres to ensure the future of the 1003 and 1120 bodes well for a return to those classic priorities of elegance and style.

When I was visiting Westtime in L.A. recently the salesman there showed me the watch he was wearing which was as wide as his wrist.  He said that once you use a large watch you'll never want to go back to the older generation of small watches, so he doesn't exect the fashion to ever revert.

I think that people at some point may tire of watches that don't fit under their shirt sleeves, and will want to return to the lighter more elegant watch sizing of before.

Aaron

I don't mind a 42 mm watch when I'm in more casual attire, but I don't like it when I'm in a suit. The converse applies. I like an ultrathin watch like the 33093 with a suit, but don't like it when I'm wearing a Polo shirt.

Bill