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.
Vacheron & Constantin Grottendieck Bruxelles 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Berlin, DE
Vacheron & Constantin Grottendieck Bruxelles 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch Movement can be wound and works. Dial with hairline crack. Incl...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vacheron & Constantin Vintage Yellow Gold Pocket watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Vacheron & Constantin Pocket Watch, 43 M.M. 14k Yellow Gold 3 piece case, Caliber VXN 17 jewel mechanical, manual wind movement. Older restored Silver Satin Dial wit...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vacheron Constantin Pocket Watch 900 Silver
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Berlin, DE
Glass and hour hand are missing. Original case! Age-related condition. Including certificate of authenticity.
Silver
Howard 14 Karat Solid White Gold Opened Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1920s
By E. Howard & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 10 Size METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 43mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / High Grade DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Breguet Style Arabic Numerals WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This watch is supplied with an original vintage Gold Filled Fob...
White Gold
C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Pocket Watch Circa 1890's
By C.H. Meylan
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Circa 1890's Dial: The white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and minutes in red, the sub dial for the s...
18k Gold
Vacheron Constantin Hunter Case Pocket Watch 1 Botton Chronograph 18kt Pink Gold
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Extremely Rare & Collectors Vacheron Constantin Hunter Case Pocket Watch Chronograph 18 kt. Pink Gold Functions : One Button Chronograph M...
Gold, 18k Gold
Ball Watch Co. Open Faced Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1920
By Ball Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Ball Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced High Grade Railroad Pocket Watch / METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled / Screw O...
Gold-filled
Rolex Precision Ref. 3400 Openface, Keyless Lever Pocket Watch, Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare collectors Watch. Original Condition. Watch needs an overhaul. Including certificate of authenticity.
Steel, Stainless Steel
Louis Audemars Open Face Pocket Watch - Yellow Gold 18k Mechanical
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Louis Audemars Movement: Mechanical Date: 1880 - 1881 Dial Color: White Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Style: Open Face Features: Roman numerals marking the hours Sub dial...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face 18k Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Patek Philippe XIX Century Open-Face Gold Pocket Watch dated January 13 1891 Serial number 96510 and contrast number 213206 Expressly made for JJ Freman Toledo, O Beautiful 43m/1.69 in 18k gold case external lid. Internal lid is plain. Gold sphere, rubys. Protecting cover and front opening. Roman numerals. Porcelaine of sphere is scratched on right down side condition, Working condition t shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s Geneva last November, in case anyone’s wondering). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vacheron Constantin Gold Keyless Lever Open Face Pocket Watch C1920s
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Vacheron Constantin. A 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Open face Pocket Watch C1920s Dial: The fully signed Vacheron & Constantin Geneve- Suisse silver satin finished dial with gold Breguet...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Asprey 18ct Two Gold Art Deco Keyless Lever Open Face Dress Pocket Watch, C1920s
By Asprey
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Asprey. AN 18ct Two Colour Gold Art Deco Keyless Lever Open Face Dress Pocket Watch C1920s Dial: The silver satin finished dial signed Asprey, raised gold Arabic numerals and engine...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
International Watch Company Rose Gold Keyless Lever Open Face Pocket Watch C1920
By IWC
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An International Watch Company 14ct yellow gold, keyless lever open face pocket watch, C1920s with it's original presentation box. Dial: A Beautiful White Enamel Dial in perfect con...
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rare Heavy 18CT Gold Keyless Lever Independent Second Full Hunter Pocket Watch
Located in Mayfair, London, London
W. Ehrhardt. A Rare Heavy 18ct Gold Keyless Lever Independent Seconds Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1884. Dial: The white enamel numbered Roman Dial with outer minute track subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock with gold coloured hands and blued steel seconds hand. Case: The heavy English hallmarked 18ct yellow gold case engine turned to the front and back cover with vacant cartouche to the front cover. The plain inner cover opens to reveal the movement. The cases are Birmingham hallmarked for 1884. Movement: The rare and interesting three quarter plate keyless lever movement fully jewelled to the centre arbor numbered and signed W. Ehrhardt London. There is a double barrel in the movement which enables the watch to have an independent stop seconds which can be stopped at random without stopping the watch. This watch was an early form of doctors watch...
Gold, 18k Gold
Longines Rose Gold Open Face Keyless Lever Gentleman's Dress pocket Watch C1920
By Longines
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Longines 18ct Rose Gold Open Face Keyless Lever Gentleman's Dress Pocket Watch C1920. Dial: The beautiful original silver dial fully signed Longines with rose gold markers, Arabic n...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Longines Rare Art Deco Slim Keyless Lever Pocket Watch 18ct White Gold
By Longines
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Longines Art Deco slim keyless lever 44mm pocket watch in 18ct white gold, C1920s. Dial: The beautiful two tone cream and silver dial signed Longines with black Arabic numerals, chemin de fer chapter ring subsidiary seconds register at six o'clock with original blued steel Fleur-de-Lys hands. Case: The Rare 18ct white gold case with verso snap on case back, lozenge shaped monogrammed cartouche on the polished case back which is fully hallmarked and numbered. Movement: The Very High quality nickel finished fully jewelled movement with gold train, micrometer regulation fully signed Longines and numbered. This is a very fine and Rare example of an Art Deco Slim pocket watch...
18k Gold, White Gold
Party like it’s 1979 with this glittering, one-of-a-kind sautoir.
Just because the dial says Geneva — or the alluring French version of the city's name, Genève — it doesn’t mean your timepiece was crafted in the watchmaking capital.
