How to Sell a Vacheron Constantin Watch

One of the most storied and oldest Swiss watchmakers in horology history, Vacheron Constantin is known for its assortment of fine timepieces. Vacheron Constantin is part of the so-called Holy Trinity, along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, which tells you the pedigree of this brand. While Vacheron is nowhere near as mainstream as Patek or AP (yet) and doesn’t command the same premiums as those two brands, Vacheron Constantin watches do hold their value quite well–particularly Overseas models and some rare high-complication models. As such, selling a Vacheron Constantin watch can result in a decent payout if you do it right.

Although we’ve compiled some fantastic suggestions in our comprehensive guide on how to sell a luxury watch, it’s worth brushing up on brand-specific tips to make selling your Vacheron Constantin watch even more seamless. Here are the steps.

Locate the Vacheron Constantin Reference and Serial Numbers

First things first, you have to identify the reference and serial numbers of the Vacheron Constantin watch you want to sell. Knowing the Vacheron Constantin reference number is crucial as it indicates your watch’s specific model. If you have the original warranty card of your watch, then the complete reference number will be on there.

However, if you don’t have any documentation, then you check the back of your watch. Modern Vacheron Constantin watches generally have the first part of a much longer alphanumeric reference number engraved somewhere on the caseback. Look for either a four-digit plus one-letter code or a five-digit number. For example, 4500V (Overseas Self-Winding), 5500V (Overseas Chronograph), 4600E (Fifty-Six Self-Winding), 43175 (Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin), and so on.

This number denotes which Vacheron Constantin collection the watch belongs to; so, you can Google it and find an identical version to yours. Hopefully, the complete reference number will also appear in the search results.

The caseback of a modern Vacheron Constantin will normally also have the serial number engraved on it. Serial numbers are unique to each watch and should never be shared publicly. That said, you should know your watch’s serial number in case you need to eventually (privately) share it with a serious buyer.

Assemble Box and Papers

Having the original box and papers of any watch you sell is important but even more so with a high-end watchmaker like Vacheron Constantin. Not only can a complete set fetch 10 to 25% more than a naked watch but it can also help affirm the authenticity of your piece to potential buyers.

Therefore, if you still have any of the original packaging or documentation of the Vacheron watch you’re selling, then it’s absolutely worth the time and effort to locate and gather them.

Vacheron Constantin can also issue a Certificate of Authenticity. The watch can be dropped off at an authorized retailer and it’ll be sent to Geneva for inspection by the Heritage Department. The certificate will include information about the design and movement of the watch, as well as the date of production. The price and length of time required to attain a Vacheron Constantin Certification of Authenticity depends on the model but may be worth considering if you no longer have any of the original paperwork.

Estimate the Market Value of Your Vacheron Watch

An important step when selling your Vacheron watch is to figure out how much it’s worth. Although Vacheron Constantin publishes its manufacturer’s suggested selling prices (MSRPs) on its website, the current market value is the most relevant number you need to know.

You can start your research by browsing through the Vacheron Constantin watches for sale at Luxury Bazaar to see if there’s a model similar to yours listed there. You can also check out the following sources:

• Sold Auction Listings (Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips)
• Chrono24
• WatchCharts
• Grey Market Dealers and Pre-Owned Watch Reseller Websites

That said, it’s worth remembering that the prices you’ll see online for Vacheron watches for sale will almost always be higher than what a buyer will pay you for one. Professional companies have business costs and margins to cover while private sellers inflate prices to leave room for negotiations.

Should I Service My Vacheron Before Selling It?

Servicing a Vacheron Constantin watch is expensive, especially if it includes complications. As a result, we typically do not recommend that you service your Vacheron watch before reselling it since it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to recover that cost.

Furthermore, if you’re selling a vintage Vacheron timepiece, then it’s crucial to keep as many of the original components as possible; collectors value originality therefore, replacing old parts can reduce the value of your watch.

Finally, if you end up selling to a professional grey market dealer or pre-owned watch specialist, then they’ll take care of any necessary servicing before reselling the watch.

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