Pre-owned Vacheron Constantin Watches

Buy Vacheron Constantin’s Pre-Owned Watches

Regarded as a member of the “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest continuously operating watch brand today, with many achievements and accolades bolstering the brand’s highly regarded reputation. With a brand motto “Faire mieux si possible, ce qui est toujours possible (do better if possible, and it is always possible),” the brand continuously pushes the world of horology by creating complicated timepieces, ranging from perpetual calendars, grand complications, minute repeaters, and the world’s first Chinese perpetual calendar. While highly complicated models are mostly meant for dedicated collectors, less complicated models that are more widely popular still maintain the brands high level of quality, donning the Geneva Seal, an independent mark of quality.

With a storied brand like Vacheron Constantin, some models are highly coveted by collectors, maintaining values around their original retail price, or even appreciating in value. Other models that are less popular but are still high in quality, provide opportunities for collectors to add a watch from a “Holy Trinity” brand at a relatively decent value.

Why You Should Buy Pre-Owned Vacheron Constantin Watches

The rising popularity of watches has made the values of certain models rise well above their original retail price, even in cooler markets. It has also made some models difficult to purchase, both new and second-hand. While some Vacheron Constantin watches have gained wide-spread popularity, and can be difficult to purchase at retail, they are also often available second-hand, at or below their original retail price. By purchasing pre-owned, collectors have the opportunity to add a Vacheron Constantin timepiece at a price that offers a better value, and avoids some of the difficulties that one can face at authorized retailers.

Considering Vacheron Constantin has been in business for 270 years, any concerns over quality and product support should be put at ease. The brand not only is able to service recent timepieces, but actively maintains historic timepieces from the brand’s past. Vacheron Constantin has built a legacy of manufacturing some of the best timepieces available, and makes certain that they will last many lifetimes for generations of collectors to enjoy.

Best Place to Buy Used Vacheron Constantin Watches

When purchasing a pre-owned timepiece, especially one of high value, it is important to consider the seller. By purchasing your next used Vacheron Constantin watch from Exquisite Timepieces, you will avoid many of the problems one can face when purchasing a used luxury timepiece. The team at Exquisite Timepieces authenticates all of the watches they sell, and makes certain they are in proper running order before they reach customers. Exquisite Timepieces also has their own service department, facilitating a variety of servicing needs. Should a watch need to return to the manufacture, Exquisite Timepieces is able to assist with that as well.

There are other places collectors can go to purchase used Vacheron Constantin timepieces for sale. Vacheron Constantin themselves offer refurbished vintage pieces directly from the brand. There are a number of forums and collector communities that have marketplaces for members to buy, sell and exchange watches as well. There are other open marketplaces where users can post their watches for sale. While different services offer different pros and cons, forums and marketplaces offer limited to no guarantees that the watches being sold are authentic or as described in the listings. Except for the most well seasoned collectors who know what they are looking at, less experienced buyers are best suited to utilize the expertise of experienced and trusted used Vacheron Constantin dealers. 

How Much is a Used Vacheron Constantin Worth?

The price of a second hand Vacheron Constantin watch depends on a number of factors. Age can play a factor, with older watches from certain time periods being less popular because of the design and/or size, while popular contemporary and vintage models can command higher prices. Materials also play a role, with precious metal timepieces made of gold or platinum often selling for higher prices than models made in stainless steel. More complicated watches are also typically more expensive, as the higher level of expertise needed to create these models commands a higher retail price, which often translates to a higher price on the secondary market. Popularity plays a large role, which can throw these general guidelines out the window. For example, an extremely popular modern stainless steel time-only watch can be traded for a higher price on the used market than a complicated gold watch from the 1980’s. While both are great watches, supply and demand ultimately play a big part, as with any good that is bought and resold. This discrepancy can also mean there are bargains to be found for collectors looking for complicated timepieces at reasonable prices.

Vacheron Constantin is a prestige brand within the world of watchmaking, which means their watches command relatively high prices. Some models can be had for under $10,000, while other complicated and popular models can extend well above $100,000. It really comes down to which models, materials, and complications are being considered.

Vacheron Constantin Pre-Owned Prices & Values

With a softer watch market currently (January, 2025), Vacheron Constantin values are relatively soft, with most models trading below their original retail price. Some popular models are trading near their original retail price, but these seem to be the exception rather than the rule. There are a few highly collectible models, such as the Ultra Thin Overseas, that are commanding high prices on the secondary market, well above their original retail price.

According to WatchCharts, a website that tracks the market performance of various brands and models, their assessment via their Market Tracker shows that the average sale price of a used Vacheron Constantin watch is down 12% from last year. While that sounds harsh, this number is the result of a cooling market from a rapidly reached peak in 2022. The average sale price is still above 2021 levels, showing growing interest and appreciation for the brand.

Below is a chart showing the current market price and original retail price of a variety of Vacheron Constantin watches. While there are many used womens Vacheron Constantin timepieces available, the market still primarily is focused around used mens Vacheron Constain watches. This should provide a rough idea as to what to expect regarding pricing when you are ready to buy a used Vacheron Constantin watch.

Does Vacheron Constantin Hold Resale Value?

As seen by the chart above, it really depends on the model and tastes in the current market. Some models are able to maintain a larger percentage of the original retail value, with some even holding or surpassing their original retail price, while others drop more drastically in value from retail to pre-owned. That being said, once pre-owned, prices on most used Vacheron Constantin models stay relatively stable. If you are a collector looking for value within high-end watch collecting, pre-owned Vacheron Constantin watches can provide a great opportunity to add a historic brand to the collection at a more reasonable price.

Generally speaking, the current market leans towards time only stainless steel watches, with some attention given to stainless steel dual-time and chronograph watches. Those models will retain the most value on the used market. The best values will be in precious metal and highly complicated timepieces, as their decreased popularity makes for lower prices on the used market compared to their original retail price. For those looking for a complicated dress watch, used Vacheron Constantin timepieces are a great place to start the search.

About Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva, Switzerland. Closely tied with Enlightenment philosophers Jean-Jaques Rousseau  and Voltaire, they bonded over their appreciation for philosophy, science, and of course, watchmaking. In 1785 Jean-Marc’s son Abraham took over the business. Jean-Marc’s grandson Jaques-Barthélemy took over in 1810, and began to expand Vacheron’s global presence, exporting watches for France and Italy. Realizing he could not continue growing the business alone, Jaques-Barthélemy partnered with François Constantin in 1819, forming the Vacheron Constantin we know today. The brand’s motto came from a letter from Constantin to Vacheron that was also written in 1819.

Constantin was largely in charge of marketing the brand, traveling the world and managed to establish the United States as a primary market. Georges-Auguste Leschot was put in charge of manufacturing and operations in 1833. He was largely responsible for the standardization of movements into Calibers, and developed a device that was able to engrave watch parts and dials more easily.

The brand continued to be run by a series of heirs. At one point, the brand was run by two female heirs, marking an early instance of females being in charge of a global company. In 1936, Charles Constantin took the leadership role for the brand, the first time a named Constantin family member had been in charge since the 1850’s. However, economic troubles caused by The Great Depression resulted in a majority of the brand’s stock being sold to Georges Ketterer in 1940.

The brand remained in Ketterer family control until 1987, when the brand was sold to Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani, an avid watch collector, who took private control of the brand. In 1996, the brand was sold to the Richemont group, where it remains today.

Vacheron Constantin was responsible for a number of important developments within horology. In 1790, they are credited with creating the first watch complication, and they developed the first non-magnetic watch in 1885, but utilizing a number of non-magnetic materials in the movement. In 1901, they received their first Geneva Seal, an award given by a separate governing body that attests to the high quality of finishing and manufacturing of timepieces. They held the record for the world’s thinnest manually wound movement in 195, and they created the world’s thinnest minute repeating caliber (the caliber 1755) in 1992. In 2015, they created the most complicated timepiece ever made with the reference 57260, which featured 57 complications in total.

Today Vacheron Constantin continues to manufacture a wide variety of timepieces, ranging from time only dress watches, to sporty timepieces with their Overseas collection, to a wide variety of complicated timepieces that display the brand’s watchmaking expertise. The combination of history, high quality, and innovative watchmaking is what continues to draw collectors towards brand to this day..