Toledo ref 47300 white gold is with my dealer for sale with a price tag of $15,000 without box or papers. The watch condition is good with decent signs of wearing it regularly.
I’m here again to seek advise if it’s a good deal to move ahead and add a VC in my collection or it’s not a great watch/deal to close.
I owe a lot to the forum, so one more time...

 

Your questions are probably best answered over at The Hour Lounge
They are to Vacheron Constantin as this forum is to Omega.

 

Unfortunately, while it was a terrific forum for years, I believe that it now only exists on Instagram.

 

Unfortunately I know you're correct.
I was a charter member and knew Alex fairly well.
Can the OP ask about this Toledo on Instagram, whatever that is?

 

I can't help with your questions, but I think that is a beautiful and unique watch. I hope you buy it!

 

I’ve given the seller my offer for $10,000 and I’m waiting for his response. Meanwhile at same price I’ve been offered a Bréguet Regulator ref 3680 in an excellent condition. I’m beset between these two now. A good dilemma to have here perhaps. On

 

Hard to tell time on that regulator. I always liked the Toledo but have no sense of the market value, as I have never seen one for sale other than at the store. VC makes some beautiful watches; here is a terrible pic of one of mine.

 

While it may not figure into your calculations, I suspect that the V&C will appreciate more in value over the long term.

 

I have that exact Toledo 1952 in WG. Bought it off a seller on TimeZone in March 2016. Mint condition (no dents or dings) and recently overhauled by V&C (and under guarantee at the time), inner and outer boxes, accessories (pusher, polishing cloth) and Extract from the Archives.....$14,500. My SN is pretty close to the one in your post (within 25), made in 2003. These have held their value quite well and on Chrono 24 there are SIX of these available in the US from $15,800 to $19,750.

If there are no boxes and papers, no indication of recent service, and obvious signs of wear the $15,000 asking price is high. I'd say more in the $11,500 to $13,000 range. If you can snag it for $10k that would be an excellent deal, you won't lose money on it. And I'd add some money in for an overhaul to bring it completely up to spec. The 18k WG case is rhodium plated as many white gold watches are so any wear and tear on the case finish can be easily taken care of if that is important to you.

VC's of this era are underpriced, imo, but are being discovered as the brand's current offerings for similar complication (Harmony line) are in the $42,000 range, and not nearly as attractive as the classic Toledo case, but they do have manufacturer movements now which seems required these days.

Hope this helps. PS...I'd take the VC any day over the Breguet.....the Breguet is considered too small these days and that one is hard to read. The VC Toledo was based on the original model from 1952 which was considered huge in the day. It's a classic, and it wears quite well and is easy to read.

Here's a pic of mine alongside my other complete calendar watches (from 1946, 1951 and the VC from 2003 although based on the 1952 model):

 

I totally agree with all the above. The only way you get an "Extract" from Vacheron is with a complete and expensive service.
I contemplated this a few years ago and Alex told be to budget $2,500.US provided no replacement parts are necessary.

 

Great information indeed. $2500 for service is a huge amount! If I get it around $10,000 then it would make much sense. Already floated my offer as I mentioned earlier and waiting for his response. Will keep you informed. Thanks for your help. Regards

 

Found the current VC repair prices on their website:
Complete movement service (simple calendar): $1,340
Case polishing, incl rhodium plating: $200
Extract from the Archives: $165 (You do NOT need to have a service to get an Extract)
So if you budget $2,000 at the worst case you can get the watch back to perfect condition.

Good luck.

 

Sorry, can't add to the wisdom as to whether that's a good buy but I absolutely love the VC Toledo. So few of them around, too.

 

Apparently Vacheron has made themselves more collector friendly.
I also needed a VC "Mushroom Crown" and I was told that Vacheron does not supply parts.
You need a part - You send it back to them. Is this still the case or is there another way to source parts?