Vacheron Constantin

Hi.  Sorry I don't drop by much.  Usually at the Rolex forums.  But I've had an opportunity to consider a vintage VC with a curvex case and exploding/exaggerated art deco style numbers.... and would appreciate a low/high value estimate of one in good condition (no ... I don't have pictures yet but promise to post them when I do).  Just a basic ballpark.  PM me a note value can't be discussed in this forum. Thanks.

Since so much will depend upon the originality and condition of the piece it will be hard for people to give you an idea of what it is worth without at least a photo. I also recommend that you seek out results from auction houses for comparable pieces...their search functions are pretty good.

Good luck.

Bill

same advise that I would give on another day.  It is just that I'm going in blind.  I don't collect VCs and certainly not the style or era that I mention.  I just wanted a vague idea so that when I got a chance to see the watch, I would have some clue.  But thanks anyway.

The description of "curvex" came from a Gruen design of the 1930s that was a continuation of the rectangular watch theme popular at the time.  A true "curvex" watch is just that...curved.  The case curves to match the shape of the wrist.  Many other manufacturers of yesterday and today simply curve the top of the case and crystal, while leaving the bottom as a flat platform.  This eliminates the challenge of the curvex design, which was making a movement to fit a curved case!  Gruen used shaped movements that were arranged on multiple planes (another term of the day referenced this...duoplan and polyplan) so as to fit the internal curve of the watch case.  In fact, their advertising featured this as an advantage over the traditional method of hiding a smallish round movement inside the popular rectangular cases so as to avoid manufacturing a true shaped movement.  For Gruen, their selling feature was size...the shaped multi-plane movement was more robust and capable of better timekeeping over the very small round calibers used by the competition.

I would be surprised (actually, shocked) if your V&C is a true curvex.  If your watch has a flat bottom rectangular case with a shaped movement, it is still a very desirable piece.  If it has a rectangular case and one of those "smallish" round calibers, then IMHO the collector's value is a bit diminished.  But, as with all things V&C, other factors such as dial design and case shape can elevate interest.  Hence the need for pictures....

I'm familiar with the whole curvex idea (you might like the little Rolex below).  As with the Gruen, this is a Ristside Driver's watch.  I'll take my camera and we'll go from there.

 

Wow, that must be an unusual piece!  Not to be stubborn, but for the interested lurkers, that still wouldn't be a "curvex", although often the driver's watches are referred to as such.  Gruen's concept was a polyplan movement (apologies to Movado for stealing their term but it does fit best) inside a curved case...not just the case itself.  They made great emphasis on this in their ads.  Your driver's, like the very rare Vacheron Ref 4031, almost certainly has a flat tonneau or rectangular movement.  Please correct me if this is not so and share any pictures you may have.

OK, now we have something to go on!  The case number puts it around 1924-1925.  The movement serial number that you have provided is also right on the period and probably of 9 lignes in size.  The hinged back case and painted radial arabics on the dial are typical for V&C of the era (if you can say anything vintage V&C is "typical").  I see you have a mix of breguet and cathedral hands and I would suggest the breguet is correct.  The cathedral hands appeared on their rectangular watches a little later.

I didn't pick up on the different hand styles - thanks for that!  Can someone also give me a PM as to value?  thanks, Rita

Thanks !!  I just spotted the PM feature - I thought everything was coming to my email box.  My bad!   Thanks for all your help!!

Cheers, Rita

Please PM a value.  The messages I had there were from 2008.  I really should drop by a little more often!  cheers, Rita