Jean Marc Vacheron

Iconic Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin was among the first brands to embrace the Geneva Seal and is the oldest watch producer in the world that is still in operation. Vintage Vacheron Constantin watches continue to charm and captivate collectors near and far, and the manufacturer’s Maltese cross logo, adopted in 1877, is instantly recognizable as an emblem of luxurious design and enduring quality.

Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the son of a master weaver in Geneva who instilled in his children his belief that working with one’s hands is a noble endeavor. Jean-Marc took his father’s convictions to heart and opened his watchmaking workshop at the age of 24. The watchmaker made custom watches for royalty and flourished as an innovator in its field.

Vacheron Constantin functioned as a family business for several decades after Jean-Marc’s death. His grandson, Jacques-Barthélemy, took over the business in 1810 and promptly realized that he would need support in order to expand the company’s reach as well as oversee production. He searched for a partner who was versed in international business and who had a fondness for watches — and he found it in successful businessman François Constantin, who became his associate in 1819.

Constantin was born to a merchant in Geneva. From a young age, he traveled extensively and honed his business skills, fast becoming a venerable merchant himself. Shortly after joining Vacheron, Constantin coined the company's motto, "Do better if possible, and that is always possible." These words continue to guide the brand to this day.

Since becoming known as Vacheron & Constantin in 1819 — and later, Vacheron Constantin — the company has enjoyed international acclaim for everything from jewelry watches to provocative shaped designs, and its alluring timepieces are highly sought after by antique and vintage watch enthusiasts.

Widely loved models designed by Vacheron Constantin include the sporty Overseas and the Patrimony, while a number of Vacheron Constantin watches hold world records. A vintage pocket watch previously owned by King Fuad I of Egypt is one of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction. Another watch — the Reference 57260 pocket watch — has 57 complications and took eight years to build. In 2022 Vacheron Constantin exhibited a selection of its rarely seen mid-century watches in its New York City flagship store. Since the 1990s, the company has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group.

Find a range of Vacheron Constantin pocket watches, wristwatches and bracelets on 1stDibs.

Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. Right now, perhaps you’re shopping for your own. If so, find a vast range of fashionable and functional antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs.

While wall-mounted time tellers and grandfather clocks were much more convenient than the sundials of ancient history, watches were becoming crucial for an increasingly connected society whose members learned that the latest advancements in technology meant they could carry devices that kept time to within a minute a day. Tragically, the first pocket watches — albeit an improvement on the accessories that preceded them, which dangled from a chain worn around the neck — didn’t help much as far as accuracy or portability. Focused on style over substance, the upper class frequently carried lavish pieces that ran hours behind. 

Eventually, watches migrated from owners’ pockets to their wrists. In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.

Indeed, although exceedingly practical, the watches of today are far from bland. Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional watches. You’ll always know what time it is because you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from your new accessory. 

Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist. 

When shopping for a watch, it’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors. 

Find exactly what you’re looking for in an unparalleled collection of antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs that includes Cartier watches, Rolex watches, Patek Philippe watches and more — we promise it will be worth your time.