Community Stories

[Vacheron Constantin] Question on VC dial

Khamenman
Posts
230
Likes
319
While browsing through Chrono24, I notice Vacheron Constantin has several dial formats to display the "Swiss Made" at the bottom of the dial. The most common one is "Swiss" only, which I believe to be the original dial for vintage VC. Then you have the most common format for new VC, which is "Swiss Made". But you can also find in many vintage VC watches, dials with "o Swiss Made o".

Does anyone here know what does this "o" mean? My guess is that this is a replacement / service dial for vintage VC, but that would be my guess only. I hope some knowledgeable members can share their knowledge about vintage VC 😀

Cheers!
Edited:
 
François Pépin
Posts
1,531
Likes
1,086
I guess that, like for Omegas, it means that the dial is made of gold. But it is not exactly an O, rather a Sigma.

Any pictures?
 
Khamenman
Posts
230
Likes
319
Thank you @gwzymytk for the link to Hodinkee.

Today I learn new stuff about sigma dial. Interestingly, I stumbled upon these 2 watches on C24. They both have the same reference number: 31160, one bear "Swiss" dial, one bear " o Swiss Made o" dial. Since the article said APRIOR started collaborating with manufactures in 70s, my initial conclusion was that they came from different years, with sigma dial came first then later VC dropped the sigma dial and went back to the simple "Swiss" dial. But when I checked both watches info, they both came from year 1990.

So what makes the difference then?
 
Screenshot_20181017-154315_Chrono24.jpg Screenshot_20181017-154330_Chrono24.jpg
jimmyd13
Posts
3,172
Likes
7,325
Khamenman Khamenman
Thank you @gwzymytk for the link to Hodinkee.

Today I learn new stuff about sigma dial. Interestingly, I stumbled upon these 2 watches on C24. They both have the same reference number: 31160, one bear "Swiss" dial, one bear " o Swiss Made o" dial. Since the article said APRIOR started collaborating with manufactures in 70s, my initial conclusion was that they came from different years, with sigma dial came first then later VC dropped the sigma dial and went back to the simple "Swiss" dial. But when I checked both watches info, they both came from year 1990.

So what makes the difference then?
I suspect the second has been redialed: note the lack of a grave accent in Geneve.
 
Khamenman
Posts
230
Likes
319
jimmyd13 jimmyd13
I suspect the second has been redialed: note the lack of a grave accent in Geneve.
It can be a possibility. But personally I prefer to believe that "Swiss" dial is not a redial. Btw, the second picture has the accent in "Geneve". It's just the poor resolution of the picture. I have a similar VC, but not exactly the same model. Mine has "Swiss" dial and also the "Geneve" has accent.
 
jimmyd13
Posts
3,172
Likes
7,325
Khamenman Khamenman
It can be a possibility. But personally I prefer to believe that "Swiss" dial is not a redial. Btw, the second picture has the accent in "Geneve". It's just the poor resolution of the picture. I have a similar VC, but not exactly the same model. Mine has "Swiss" dial and also the "Geneve" has accent.
The resolution is very poor but I don't see the accent. That was the main reason I was edging towards the dial having been re-done. If you're sure it's there, I will happily withdraw my suggestion. 😀
 
jimmyd13
Posts
3,172
Likes
7,325
I'm not sure how this will help your questions but I pulled mine out of the box to check it. This is a 1961. I've owned it for a few years and it came with a certificate from VC dated 1979. I am assuming it went back to the mothership in 1979 for a service. I have never been sure if the dial was redone then.

IMG_20181017_2114469.jpg IMG_20181017_2115152~2.jpg IMG_20181017_2115554~2.jpg
 
Schwuppes
Posts
8
Likes
5
jimmyd13 jimmyd13
I'm not sure how this will help your questions but I pulled mine out of the box to check it. This is a 1961. I've owned it for a few years and it came with a certificate from VC dated 1979. I am assuming it went back to the mothership in 1979 for a service. I have never been sure if the dial was redone then.

IMG_20181017_2114469.jpg IMG_20181017_2115152~2.jpg IMG_20181017_2115554~2.jpg

Dial would have been replaced, after 1970 VC changed its dial logo from Vacheron & Constantin to just Vacheron Constantin. Also sigma dials weren't used in the 60's. Nothing "wrong" with service dials though.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

moondweller

Do collectord not like Vacheron Constantin?

moondweller Open Discussion
ghce
ghce
Posts
5
Views
474
Deafboy

World's most complicated wristwatch - Vacheron Constantin Solaria Ultra Grand Complication

Deafboy Unique Watches & Complications
Deafboy
Deafboy
Posts
0
Views
353
mdgrwl

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph - 5500V/110A-B148 ( excellent )

mdgrwl Watches For Sale
mdgrwl
mdgrwl
Posts
0
Views
661
SohAIS

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph 42.5MM Blue 5500V/110A-B148 B&P

SohAIS Watches For Sale
SohAIS
SohAIS
Posts
0
Views
661
SohAIS

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph 42.5MM Black 5500V/110A-B481 B&P

SohAIS Watches For Sale
SohAIS
SohAIS
Posts
1
Views
1K
SohAIS

Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 18K WG 82035/000G-B735 Silver B&P

SohAIS Watches For Sale
SohAIS
SohAIS
Posts
1
Views
1K