Vintage Vacheron Constantin

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dra43b

·Aug 10, 2022

I am interested to purchase this from Theo and Harris but I cannot find any comparable listings. Do you think it is all original / untouched?

https://theoandharris.com/shop/vintage-watches/vacheron-constantin-4/

 

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Dan S

·Aug 10, 2022

This is out of my wheelhouse TBH, but in your place I would look for photos of other examples, focusing on whether the hands match the dial. To my eye, those delicate pointer hands are poorly matched to the awesome triangular markers. On the other hand, they are the correct length, so maybe it's just an odd design choice.

Edited: Aug 10, 2022

 

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Geezer

·Aug 10, 2022

This is a redial.

 

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dra43b

·Aug 11, 2022

Dan S

This is out of my wheelhouse TBH, but in your place I would look for photos of other examples, focusing on whether the hands match the dial. To my eye, those delicate pointer hands are poorly matched to the awesome triangular markers. On the other hand, they are the correct length, so maybe it's just an odd design choice.

Yes, that's my problem. Cannot find the very same model online

 

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dra43b

·Aug 11, 2022

Geezer

This is a redial.

Is it really? They did an amazing job because it had me believing it is untouched. But is theo and harris willing to sell redials? I think they have reputation already

 

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Geezer

·Aug 11, 2022

Several things. Look at the alignment of the applied hour markers to the printed markers. Then there is the quality of the print itself. The little rectangles are very irregular.

You can blow up the pictures seen below that make my point more clearly.

 

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Tony C.

·Aug 11, 2022·Ωf Jury member

D dra43b

But is theo and harris willing to sell redials? I think they have reputation already

Don't confuse a " CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY" with originality. Having taken a quick look at their site, I see a LIP with an obvious replacement crown, yet they characterize it positively and make no mention of the lack of originality.

Furthermore, they make no mention of originality on dial that are obviously original, which is a way of giving themselves cover when failing to identify those which may not be original.

I also agree with Dan that the hands are dissonant with the indices, though he may be correct about them being an original, and an odd design choice.

Finally, though this dealer is hardly alone in such transgressions, I find it to be ludicrous that (especially) with an expensive watch, there are neither photos, nor any relevant details (e.g. caliber, condition) of the movement provided (it's almost certainly a cal. 1002).

Edited: Aug 11, 2022

 

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Geezer

·Aug 11, 2022

By the way, this appears to be VC ref. 4986 in case you want to see other examples.

 

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Tony C.

·Aug 11, 2022·Ωf Jury member

There was a very similar example sold last year in Honk Kong:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25281/lot/854/?category=#/!

It suggests that the hands for the subject watch are correct (the second hand on the auction watch is likely a replacement). And it sold for ~$2000 USD.

 

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gatorcpa

·Aug 11, 2022·ΩF InvestiGator

You can see several examples here:

https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/...-other-model/ref-vacheron-constantin-4986/lpi

All the dials have some variations. Not sure what is or is not original.

Be very careful.
gatorcpa

 

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Geezer

·Aug 11, 2022

gatorcpa

Be very careful.
gatorcpa

Fully agree, be very careful and always insist on
seeing movement pictures before pulling the trigger.

As a sidenote, I was browsing this Theo and Harris website and they are offering a gold plated Felca for only $1395.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 11, 2022

That dealer is definitely not the best, IMO. Now and then they will have something decent, but they sell a lot of crap. Certainly, they are not the type of seller where you can just take things for granted.

 

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osterman

·Jul 18, 2023

100% a reprint.
Index marks at 3, 4 and 5 are not in line with the dots, for instance.

 

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Doc Savage

·Jul 19, 2023

Can't say for sure, but it's nice looker.