School me on Vacheron: Value and resale

[vdm9]

Hello
Still new to the forum and feeling my way around the watch world. Went to the VC boutique in NYC and saw, tried on and discussed dome beauties.
Loved the Overseas
Loved the Fifty-six

So why doe values plummet on the secondary market - although less with overseas, while the other two of the holy grail seem to hold/increase?

The quality and detail seem amazing and the movements superb.

What am I missing that everyone else has figured out???
thanks
vdm

[MCMartiny]

I think VC has not been hit by the recent hype wave / craze to the same extent as AP and PP. However, let's not forget that outside the luxury sports models more dressy AP and Patek references are not doing that well in second hand value. In fact great "bang for the buck" can be had on e.g. Patek annual calendars or legendary vintage perpetual calendars like the 3940 and 3970.

Also, I think VC shot themselves a bit in the foot by releasing certain entry level watches with non-Geneva Seal movements that are finished to a lower level than usual. E.g. the entry level (three hand) fifty-six uses a repurposed ValFleurier movement (a movement similar to ones used in other Richemont group watches). I am sure it is a great movement, but those kinds of business-driven moves away from absolute excellence dilute the entire brand (especially to purists). IMHO, Lange is these days much more deserving of place in the "Holy Trinity" than VC

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by vdm9

Hello
Still new to the forum and feeling my way around the watch world. Went to the VC boutique in NYC and saw, tried on and discussed dome beauties.
Loved the Overseas
Loved the Fifty-six

So why doe values plummet on the secondary market - although less with overseas, while the other two of the holy grail seem to hold/increase?

The quality and detail seem amazing and the movements superb.

What am I missing that everyone else has figured out???
thanks
vdm

I dont know but ask yourself this. For 8k is there a better dress watch on the planet? I dont think so.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=760012

[thenewrick]

VC not as hype these days. It’s never an issue of quality just popularity.

[capote]

Originally Posted by MCMartiny

I think VC has not been hit by the recent hype wave / craze to the same extent as AP and PP. However, let's not forget that outside the luxury sports models more dressy AP and Patek references are not doing that well in second hand value. In fact great "bang for the buck" can be had on e.g. Patek annual calendars or legendary vintage perpetual calendars like the 3940 and 3970.

Also, I think VC shot themselves a bit in the foot by releasing certain entry level watches with non-Geneva Seal movements that are finished to a lower level than usual. E.g. the entry level (three hand) fifty-six uses a repurposed ValFleurier movement (a movement similar to ones used in other Richemont group watches). I am sure it is a great movement, but those kinds of business-driven moves away from absolute excellence dilute the entire brand (especially to purists). IMHO, Lange is these days much more deserving of place in the "Holy Trinity" than VC

Vacheron introduced their first inhouse movement in 2000 and must have spent a fortune to go full inhouse the last 20 years just to introduce that third party movement entry level watch. It really boggles my mind.

[ansharma]

Originally Posted by Etschell

I dont know but ask yourself this. For 8k is there a better dress watch on the planet? I dont think so.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=760012

It is a great watch but as has been pointed out, it lacks the Geneva Seal and is not based on a full in house VC movement but a modified external movement which is still nice to be fair. The day-date version is a stunner and no complaints about anything there.

I would rather a full in-house JLC for a dress watch for 8k.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by vdm9

. . .
The quality and detail seem amazing and the movements superb.

What am I missing that everyone else has figured out???
thanks
vdm

You are not missing anything. They are excellent watches.

"Resale" is not usually thought of for most jewelry and watches. There is only room for a couple of manufacturers that catch the eye of collectors. These collectors are responsible for keeping the secondary market alive and Rolex is the king here.

Patek has spent millions buying their own watches at auction to bump up the mystique and desirability. Nobody else does this.

Vacheron is well regarded, but it doesn't have the universal cache' of the others.

[yoast]

supply & demand

[Dino944]

VC makes great watches, but they have never been as strong in the resale value as PP or AP. In addition, strong resale value even for the Nautilus and RO, is a relatively new situation (less than 10 years). Prior to that, they weren't that difficult to get and you could buy them with a discount.

I bought 2 VC in the early 2000s, and I'm very happy with them. I loved the designs, and at the time I found PP's Calatravas a bit dull, and AP wasn't offering a dress watch that really spoke tome.

As for movements, AP's RO chronograph still uses a F.Piguet 1185, and values on those are strong, partly because its a sports watch. A friend in the industry said at his shop (they have carried VC, IWC, Piaget, Cartier, UN etc), they sell lots of sports watches, but gold watches and dress watches are generally slow sellers regardless of brand.

[RollinMoses]

I have an Overseas and a Royal Oak and the Overseas is much more wearable with the quick change straps and actual water resistance. The Overseas gets more wrist time than any other watch I have, living on the rubber strap. Also more discrete, albeit not completely under the radar.

From dress watch side I love my 5167r, but if I did not have that or if I had more call for dress watches, I think what VC has to offer in that space is really hard to beat. Ultra-fine 1955 is a masterpiece.

I have bought my watches to wear so never focused on resale value, but the flip side is surely that you can pick up VC on grey or secondary markets for attractive price relative to MSRP? So the gap between your actual in price and resale value would be a lot lower in that case.

[Lamontsanders]

Not as hyped. I have an Overseas and an AP Diver. The VC is one hell of a watch. Maybe the most versatile non-submariner watch I have owned. The AP is phenomenal too but if I had to pick one? The VC slightly edges the AP.

[supernova]

Stop thinking resale and just buy the watch and enjoy. The blue dial OS is stunning and I hope to add in the future.

[vdm9]

WOW
Great advice from all and very informative.
Thank you all
vdm

[jnalbandyan]

I predict the 4500v in blue dial is gonna rocket. They’re boutique only next year and there’s a sizable waitlist now.


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[Porsche]

SSSHHHH, don't tell everyone!
I'm still saving for my grail (Overseas).
We don't want to start a stampede.
Let's just keep it a secret for now, if that's OK.

[Horology.life]

VC make outstanding timepieces. Up there with the best of the best. I own overseas gen 2 and 3. And they are among my favourite pieces.
Not hyped like Rolex, so are more obtainable.
If you know, you know!!

[rolexfanforlife]

I also agree VC is incredible and is on the up. Especially the overseas but the historic collection too is truly amazing

[jnalbandyan]

Here’s my new baby. The movement, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and look is one of the best in the game.







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[Nikrnic]

I always buy for keeps but no matter what it is you have to buy as right as you can and enjoy..

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[startrolexendrolex]

I'm a VC fan, I also have many AP royal oaks. I like my VC better.

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[Chromosome]

I love VC. Coolest watch brand on the planet!

[Slider817]

I think you’ve basically realized what many enthusiasts have not, the quality and beauty of a watch have nothing to with resale value and “hype”.

Vacheron has so many great watches, if you like them, just buy it and don’t worry too much after that.

[YoungMoneyAssassin]

The more I wear my overseas the more I like it. It’s hard to explain but I’ll try: ultra high end watchmaking and finishing meets modern wearability standards and convenience. It’s comfortable, well designed, not incredibly flashy, yet truly a masterclass of watchmaking.

There’s something about wearing it on the rubber strap and flying under the radar.

Basically, the blue overseas is the best “daily driver” ever. Don’t mind my bias here.




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[jed11]

Originally Posted by ansharma

It is a great watch but as has been pointed out, it lacks the Geneva Seal and is not based on a full in house VC movement but a modified external movement which is still nice to be fair. The day-date version is a stunner and no complaints about anything there.

I would rather a full in-house JLC for a dress watch for 8k.

This....for LESS than $8K, you can have a Reverso.

[MrJKLFoams]

No hype around the VC so no artificial shortage but in some way the blue dial is becoming hard to get but not much premium in the grey market. I would take it over the hype around rolex and patek.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by MCMartiny

I think VC has not been hit by the recent hype wave / craze to the same extent as AP and PP. However, let's not forget that outside the luxury sports models more dressy AP and Patek references are not doing that well in second hand value. In fact great "bang for the buck" can be had on e.g. Patek annual calendars or legendary vintage perpetual calendars like the 3940 and 3970.

Also, I think VC shot themselves a bit in the foot by releasing certain entry level watches with non-Geneva Seal movements that are finished to a lower level than usual. E.g. the entry level (three hand) fifty-six uses a repurposed ValFleurier movement (a movement similar to ones used in other Richemont group watches). I am sure it is a great movement, but those kinds of business-driven moves away from absolute excellence dilute the entire brand (especially to purists). IMHO, Lange is these days much more deserving of place in the "Holy Trinity" than VC

Good summary.

For me, I don't personally like the overseas design so they don't make a sports watch for me. The dress and high comps however are world class.

[GoingPlaces]

Great brand on definitely on my list. As far as values go, VC performs like any other watch. We've become accustomed to Rolex and PP holding or appreciating which really is an anomaly.

[ts3]

When it comes to VC sports watches I very much like the original 222 but not how they kept changing the design ever since. Reminds me of how IWC have messed w their Ingenieur and Aquatimer. In my eyes the current Overseas are no match for the competition from AP and PP in terms of design / looks.

VC dress watches are a different story but current models tend to be too large for my small wrists.

[Pongster]

Not sure if related or even a factor. But of the trinity, only VC is no longer independent (part of Richemont group). While AP and PP have remained independent.