Vacheron Constantin

Remember that TV series Thunderbirds, with the marionettes?  Great stuff.  This is another Thunderbird, the Vacheron & Constantin reference 6782.  This piece is from 1970 and, as with all 6782's, features the caliber 1072/1 automatic movement in a water-resistant screw-back case.  The dial features a rotating, graduated bezel which gave it the nickname "Thunderbird", after the Rolex Turn-O-Graph which appeared about a decade earlier.  You can just make out traces of the original red enamel in the bezel indexes.  According to Antiquorum, there were only 100 pieces made in the series.

While it's 36mm width is fairly standard, the bezel and extra-wide 20mm strap creates a larger presence on the wrist.  This example is all original except for a replacement crown and crystal which now lacks the "cyclops" magnifier over the date window.

 

That is a very cool alternative to the Rolex turn-o-graph/Thunderbird.  I'm sure you will enjoy it.  Please post some wrist shots when you get it chance.

Best regards,

Dino

Why not!

 

nt.

e

and rare.

I would encourage anyone VC collector who is considering buying one of this reference to confirm with the company that it is legitimate. That are some franken versions out there that one needs to be very careful of.

Bill

That's interesting Bill...what examples have you seen?  Considering the case and bezel are unique to this reference, I'd be curious to know how a franken would be created?  Unless your referring to the movements, where another 1072/1 can be inserted or a mix of parts from other calibers (I was burned by this once).  This is certainly a problem which all vintage V&C's are vulnerable to.

did not have the 1072/1....just the standard 1072. I trusted that the case, dial and movement were all genuine VC parts....just not that they were all born together back in the day. It is curious how the case with rotating bezel got out there.

Bill

Here is a movement picture for a "correct" 6782!  You can see both the Gyromax and Geneva Seal.  Beside the balance wheel, you'll see the proper caliber number engraved in the base plate.  For final confirmation, you can email the movement and case numbers to Vacheron's Heritage Department to verify they belong together and provide the year of manufacture.  As Bill states, this does not prove all the components are original, thus the previous checks are still necessary.

FWIW, I don't have any concerns with showing case or movement numbers on Vacheron pieces because, unlike Patek, the factory won't issue a Certificate of Authenticity without examining the watch.

So far I've collected pictures and data on fourteen examples of the 6782 from auction catalogs and internet sources.  If anyone can add to the list, I will update and provide you with the entire file.  Just PM me and I'll let you know if it's new to my database.