Vacheron & Constantin Cal.K1014 18ct 1985

Vacheron & Constantin

One of the recognised ‘Holy Trinity’ of Swiss watchmaking along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, Vacheron & Constantin is also the world’s oldest ‘Watch Manufacture’ and as such, has remained in continuous operation since 1755. More than this, Vacheron & Constantin is the founding father of a spirit of technical excellence taken so far, it is considered an art. This is known as ‘Haute Horlogerie’ in which Vacheron & Constantin has been the leader for over 260 years. This tradition defines the Manufacture, evident in the finest quality execution, reflected in a finish which goes far beyond the demands of the ‘Poinçon de Genève’.

Created in 1886, the ‘Seal of the State of Geneva’ is the highest accolade, reserved for only the very finest quality watchmaking. Vacheron & Constantin was the first watchmaker to be allowed to use this hallmark of excellence on its movements. This, along with its extraordinarily high standards of quality and manufacture, lead many watchmakers, horologists and watch industry experts to believe Vacheron & Constantin reigns supreme among the finest quality watch manufacturers of the world.

To the collector, Vacheron & Constantin offers a level of exclusivity which even the more famous Patek Philippe can not. During the 1940s and through to the 1960s, Vacheron & Constantin only ever produced a maximum of 24 examples of each reference in any one configuration. This means that while it produced a variety of dial and case combinations, colours and designs, each one was strictly limited in number. For the collector, the fact that these watches are seriously undervalued doesn’t go unnoticed either.

Description

Here we have a fine example of a classic 1980s Vacheron & Constantin hand-wound dress watch in the sturdy TV style case which is so redolent of the period. This watch also carries a stunning guilloche style solid gold dial and one of the finest hand-wound movements of the period. This hugely impressive watch is perfectly suited for evening wear, special occasions or everyday use, should you so wish. This watch is completely original, unrestored and untouched and is as fine an example as you are likely to see.

Although this watch was originally sold as a gent’s watch, it would be equally suited for a lady today given modern tastes for ladies to wear gent’s watches.

The Dial

In addition to its very fine movements, Vacheron & Constantin is widely renowned for its beautiful and luxurious dials. This particular watch has a solid gold dial with a vertical brushed finish. The subtle decoration on this dial takes the form of a finely applied vertical pattern. On close examination, as we have tried to show in the photographs, this is quite subtle, but highly attractive against the gold background of the dial. This helps the dial catch the light, again, in quite a subtle way.

In every other way, the overall dial design here is typical of the late 1970s and early ’80s. Simple, understated and executed to perfection with solid gold ‘baton’ hour indices inlaid with onyx. The gold dial perfectly complements the solid gold TV style case, original ‘baton’ hands and dial furnishings.

The dial is known as a ‘Sigma’ dial as indicated by the signature at the very bottom of the dial below 6. This shows two ‘σ’ marks either side of ‘Swiss’, meaning the dial, hands and indices are made in 18ct solid gold.

The dial is simply signed ‘Vacheron Constantin’ and ‘Genève’ with ‘σ Swiss σ’ at the very bottom.

As this dial is original and unrestored, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left untouched.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The Vacheron Calibre K1014 seen here was highly successful and formed the backbone of Vacheron Constantin’s production of hand-wound wristwatches for around 25 years during the latter part of the last century.

This example is in amazing condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by our vintage Vacheron & Constantin specialist watchmaker. It is running perfectly and has been calibrated in 5 positions to run within +9 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and is no exaggeration – we have checked and confirmed the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has a power reserve of 38 hours when fully wound.

With care and regular servicing, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for many more decades to come. We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months’ written warranty*.

The movement is signed ‘Vacheron & Constantin’, ‘Geneve Swiss’ and ’17 Jewels’ with the Calibre number 1014, the movement serial number 664367 and Swiss Geneva hallmarks. Also ‘Adjusted to Heat & Cold, Isochronism and 5 Positions’. The movement serial number dates this watch to 1985.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

Watch Case

The heavy, large-sized, very high quality TV style 18ct gold watch case measures 44mm diagonally, including the straight lugs, 34mm vertically excluding the lugs, and 30mm horizontally excluding the Vacheron & Constantin signed crown.

From its very early beginnings, Vacheron & Constantin has been the torchbearer of Haute Horlogerie. This is reflected not only in the quality of its movements, but also in its watch cases. Here, the case is of an attractive two-piece design with straight swept-back lugs and a press-fit case-back. The case and case-back are all in superb condition with few marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. The watch has been beautifully well cared for so after a close inspection, has simply required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition.

The brushed finish case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed. Inside the case-back all is correct and as expected, signed ‘Vacheron & Constantin’, ‘Swiss’ with Swiss 18ct gold hallmarks with the model reference 34202 and the case serial number 521771.

Please note – As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality black lizard strap has been fitted, along with a matching 18ct solid gold buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish, here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1985.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.